Polariser question

[brian steinberger]

If you remember to always hold the filter with the lens threads facing you, (as it is mounted to the camera,) then you should get the expected effect.

But is it the same as a linear polarizer??

 

[brian steinberger]

Dead Link Removed

may have both Heliopan and B+W. in 67mm linear

In addition the B+W “Käsemann“ Polarizing
Filters can be had linear.
But these may just be non current listings.
However the polarizer foil is the same in both linear and circular, so comparing, same make, apples to apples, they should work the same.

http://www.camerachums.com/B-W-Kaesemann-Polarizer-Filter-linear-polarizer-67-mm/p-430515
says they have it in Texas for 104.50

Thanks for this website. I emailed them and asked if they have this filter in stock.

As for the polarized foil being the same you would assume a B+W linear and circular polarizer would act the same? But does it?? There seems to be some uncertainty about this. The only way to find out may be to buy a B+W circular and compare it to my scratched linear.

 

[Denverdad]

... My fear is that the effect isn't as strong. Seems maybe like it's an issue with cheaper made polarizers? If B+W discontinued the linear polarizer maybe they feel that there was no difference between their linear and circular polarizers.

But is it the same as a linear polarizer??

As for the polarized foil being the same you would assume a B+W linear and circular polarizer would act the same? But does it?? There seems to be some uncertainty about this. The only way to find out may be to buy a B+W circular and compare it to my scratched linear.

Answering a couple related questions... I think that for all practical purposes (photographic ones at least) the strength of the effect should be essentially the same using a circular polarizer or a pure linear polarizer. My guess is that cases where people have reported a weaker effect with a circular polarizer may be just due to the person looking through the filter the wrong way. More generally, I would say that their characteristics are likely to be mostly very similar (outside of the whole issue of needing a circular one for some cameras), and I can't think of any reason to worry that the circular polarizer might be any less effective in use than a linear one.

Having said that, it is certainly true that there are quality differences among different brands, there can be some sample variation within a brand, and perhaps even an occasional bad egg that was manufactured or labeled incorrectly. But there are so many other considerations that probably rank higher on the list of what to look for in choosing a polarizing filter - things like AR-coating quality (less expensive ones may be un-coated), maximum transmission, color uniformity (ideally NO color cast), optical wavefront quality, scattering or flare tendency, uniformity, durability, etc. Usually you will be safe with any of the top brands.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Answering a couple related questions... I think that for all practical purposes (photographic ones at least) the strength of the effect should be essentially the same using a circular polarizer or a pure linear polarizer. My guess is that cases where people have reported a weaker effect with a circular polarizer may be just due to the person looking through the filter the wrong way. More generally, I would say that their characteristics are likely to be mostly very similar (outside of the whole issue of needing a circular one for some cameras), and I can't think of any reason to worry that the circular polarizer might be any less effective in use than a linear one.

Having said that, it is certainly true that there are quality differences among different brands, there can be some sample variation within a brand, and perhaps even an occasional bad egg that was manufactured or labeled incorrectly. But there are so many other considerations that probably rank higher on the list of what to look for in choosing a polarizing filter - things like AR-coating quality (less expensive ones may be un-coated), maximum transmission, color uniformity (ideally NO color cast), optical wavefront quality, scattering or flare tendency, uniformity, durability, etc. Usually you will be safe with any of the top brands.

+1

Especially: strength of the effect should be essentially the same using a circular polarizer or a pure linear polarizer and it is certainly true that there are quality differences among different brands, there can be some sample variation within a brand, and perhaps even an occasional bad egg that was manufactured or labeled incorrectly.

 

[brian steinberger]

So it seems I should just go with a B+W MRC circular polarizer. I can always compare it to my linear and report the results back here.

 

[cowanw]

So it seems I should just go with a B+W MRC circular polarizer. I can always compare it to my linear and report the results back here.

Probably, but I really like the older B+W filters, more brass, more threads, feels more solid to me.

 

[brian steinberger]

Probably, but I really like the older B+W filters, more brass, more threads, feels more solid to me.

Supposedly the new ones are still made with brass.

 

[cowanw]

Yes they are; just thinner, and lighter, particularly the wide angle ones which do not have front threads. But then the polarizer probably is the frontmost of any stacked filters.
It is just my aesthetic.

 

[amellice]

Yes they are; just thinner, and lighter, particularly the wide angle ones which do not have front threads. But then the polarizer probably is the frontmost of any stacked filters.
It is just my aesthetic.

most manufactures now tend to have "slim" filters to avoid vignetting

 

[VisualDarkness]

Apparently they sell a really good linear filter as CircPol http://www.lenstip.com/index.php?art=115&roz=9

 

[jwatts]

I think you'd be hard pressed to see the difference in strength in a linear vs circular test of two high end (B+W/Helio/Lee) multi coated polarizers. But I would defiantly be interested in your test results.