just wondered if it makes sense to get a polarizing filter for a digital camera or not

thx werner

If your camara is a Digital SLR or semi -SLR meaning you can add screw on filter, it is definatly worth getting. especially with the new CCD's on camara that react as if they were film. They capture details almost and if not past film resolution and having a polorizer filter sure does help with the glare of the sky on water and glass and also helps bring out those colors to a bluer or redder as it should be. I use one almost in all my work if you see I always say what I use when I do a shoot in my gallery. bottom line... GET ONE! it's a must!

Thanks - I will definitly get one :) and your photos are really great

Michelle? Does the autofocus on the digies need a circular polarizer rather than the normal linear?

Attached Link: http://market.renderosity.com/~photo/newweb/features/ftr_004.htm

I was going to answer that but Misha did ask for Michelle. :O) Besides she said it best with an amazing article. I myself am saving it for future use. Thanks Michelle!... Also finally went through your gallery Michelle and I am in awe. Amazing work you have there. Every picture you take has a majic effect of it's own.

Werner, dude, yeah, get one!! I use a Fuji FP4900, which is about 1 years old now so CCD technology has increased a touch, but even mine reacts well to a polarizer. I beleive mine to be a linear one, but I don't have autofocus problems at all...... I may have to check that out coz I'm sometimes (very rarely mind!) mistaken. (",)

Well it's not like I made it up Jordy! However....I have used my linear polarizer on my digi autofocus as well and like you have never notice problems. Then again I was doing landscapes, and for that you usually focus on infinity, no? Not sure if that would have made a difference or not. @bioserge...Thank you!

It's actually one of those "try and see" things in photography. Some auto-focus systems work with linear polarizers (it has to do with the patterns that the systems are trying to recognize to focus - are they trying to focus on vertical lines/areas of contrast, horizontal, diagonal, blah blah blah). Your camera -may- work with a linear polarizer without any problem. It will -definetly- work with a circular one. I've often wondered if the autofocus problem with linear polarizers is pronounced or not? Is it that when it effects the camera, the AF doesn't work noticeably or a scarier thought, what if it works "mostly". Would suck to think that your focus is "almost" on, but that it's focusing just slightly ahead of or behind your subject so that your image is never really tack sharp. Dunno that part. -=>Donald

ooooh, untie yer damn thong, 'Chelle, I was just saying I hadn't noticed any problems...... yeah touchy prissy bugger ye!! Kepp that attitude up and I'll come over the pond and spank yer ass!! (",)

Is that a promise! ;~)

People People People! You are forgetting to answer the question the person asked. Now I'm confused! (as always) So Werner the bottom line should be. Remember to remove your Polarizer when you are using a flash.Whenever I forget to do this, my pictures come back looking a little grainy, with low contrast. I think that the polarizer cuts down the exposure by one stop (or maybe even more when it is fully activated) and somehow screws up the camera's ability to get the correct exposure. That's just a guess, but whatever it does, the results are not pleasing to the eye. If you still want to protect your lens when you're not using your polarizer, get a skylight filter. And as Michelle has said... Polarizers come in two varieties, 'linear' and 'circular.' Each has the same effect visually; the difference is just in the way they polarize the light passing through. If you own an auto-focusing camera , use a circular polarizer, which won't interfere with its automatic functions. My result with using a liner on a digital camara with auto focus on which it's most of the time, I get alot and I mean alot of grainy pixels on anything thats blur in the back ground or in fields of thirds. Maybe I see these more than other because I'm using bright lights in studio production with strobes. But I do also agree with Jordy I have not notice it in regular day to day home shots. now we will be right back after these "fetishes"

Normal Service Resumed ------------------------ Aye, it is that...... you and any other female that misbehaves around here........ but you first, georgious! (btw, do you prefer the flat side of the paddle or the studded?) ROFL (",)

Thx for all your input - can't wait to get my camera and a poloralize filter for it :) werner