polarizing filter on a contax G2 any one used one?

[redstarjedi]

Hello APUG! I've just bought a Hoya Moose's 81+polarizing filter. Since the G2 is a rangefinder that means that i can't see through the lens to gauge the polarizing effect. I've read that i can bring the filter up to my eye, rotate the element, and once i get the effect that i want, place it back on the lens noting it's orientation.

The only question i have is where do i stand relative to the camera when i do this? Behind it, in front of it, to the side of it?

I tried this out and i did get some darker blue skies, however, there appeared to be heavy vignetting on the top right end of the frame with the biogon 28mm lens when at what i assumed was maximum polarization.

I've also tried the technique of keeping my eye in the viewfinder, spinning the filter and stopping when the exposure drops from let's say 90 to 45. And yes, i've heard about those leica contraptions that swing in and out of the lens, not interested in that.

 

[gone]

I'm not sure that a wide angle lens and a polarizer on a rangefinder camera were made for each other. I gave up on polarizers on SLRs because of similar issues (uneven darkening of the sky), and use a yellow or red filter to darken my skies. That obviously will be of no help w/ colour film.

It doesn't matter where you stand in relationship to the camera. You just want to be looking through the filter in the same direction you will be pointing the camera.

 

[MattKing]

It has nothing to do do with the camera.

The response of the polarizer itself will vary depending on the angle of the light. When you use a wide angle lens, the angle of the light varies a lot across the scene.

 

[macfred]

Maybe worth a look : Kenko Rangefinder Polarizer by Robert White http://www.ephotozine.com/article/kenko-rangefinder-polariser-2546

 

[rthollenbeck]

It's been a long time but I seem the remember that circular polarizers may have occasionally posed a problem with the AF in the G-series.
It's been along time however.

 

[redstarjedi]

Thanks, that's what i needed to know

 

[redstarjedi]

Maybe worth a look : Kenko Rangefinder Polarizer by Robert White http://www.ephotozine.com/article/kenko-rangefinder-polariser-2546

wow this looks very useful, but it's a bit out of my budget right now.

 

[redstarjedi]

It's been a long time but I seem the remember that circular polarizers may have occasionally posed a problem with the AF in the G-series.
It's been along time however.

The G2 focuses just fine with a polarizer. But i do see how it could be tricked.

 

[redstarjedi]

It has nothing to do do with the camera.

The response of the polarizer itself will vary depending on the angle of the light. When you use a wide angle lens, the angle of the light varies a lot across the scene.

Ok, that might be reason enough to try the polarizer on my contax SLR's since i have a 35mm 2.8 distagon.


Thanks for the info.

 

[macfred]

On rangefinderforum.com there was another interesting solution : http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1432506&postcount=8

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Stand behind camera and face same way as the lens. Look through the pol filter with polarizer off the camera, turn to desired effect, note orientation of filter, mount on lens, set same orientation, shoot. Since 99% I only used a polarizer for landscapes focus not an issue as I often just set it to INF anyway.

 

[AgX]

The only thing to care for is to mount the polarizer in the same angle as a you held in front of your eye.

Or twisted by 180°.
What could be benefitial in case of homebuilding a swinging holder for that polarizer.

 

[elcabezagrande]

You could try to find one of these


Enteco Polari-Vue Screen by Mike Novak, on Flickr

 

[AgX]

I do not quite understand how that Enteco Polari-Vue device works, as the filter in the viewer is not rotating. And the whole assembly can only be swung for about 90 degrees without loosing sight through that finder.

Alternatively DIY some swinging holder, based on only one filter, that can be mounted in the hot shoe.

 

[elcabezagrande]

The filter in the viewer is always at the same angle as that of the the filter. I agree, the angle of view is likely quite limited, unless one were to extend the length between the filter and viewer. I keep it as a curiosity, but it might be useful in some instances.

 

[rthollenbeck]

The filter in the viewer is always at the same angle as that of the the filter. I agree, the angle of view is likely quite limited, unless one were to extend the length between the filter and viewer. I keep it as a curiosity, but it might be useful in some instances.

Thats awesomely over-the-top! I'll bet the designer made remotely operated barn doors for his automotive headlights!:confused:

 

[Rich Ullsmith]

I shoot G2 with a circular polarizer. A very thin one by B+W for 21mm lens. Mainly for separating clouds from sky without changing other values (much) like foliage. I simply focus into blue sky ( in the direction and general angle of subject) and rotate the ring until the slowest exposure is indicated. Thus, the sky is darkened.

 

[JW PHOTO]

I ran into this problem when I was shooting landscapes with a Fuji GW 690 years ago. I got tired of unscrewing and then screwing it back on the camera in the right orientation. I solved the problem by buying two identical Tiffen polarizers. I put one on the camera and one in my pocket for viewing. Before I did I marked both with orientation dots with the wife's fingernail polish. I lined them up and put a dot of red for max darkening of the sky. Then two dots at 90 degrees, three dots at 180 degrees and a final four dots for 270 degrees. Then I could keep the polarizing filter on the camera around my neck, haul out the other Tiffen to view the scene the way I wanted it and then just line up the dot the same on both. Very simple and very easy. John W

 

[AgX]

Why keep things simple if one could design bulky features with studs and joints ?

 

[JW PHOTO]

Why keep things simple if one could design bulky features with studs and joints ?

Yes, I agree that mine simple method doesn't compare to the more exotic looking studs and joints! KISS does work in this case just as well and it's cheaper too.

 

[macfred]

I solved the problem by buying two identical Tiffen polarizers. I put one on the camera and one in my pocket for viewing. Before I did I marked both with orientation dots with the wife's fingernail polish.

That's the way I use my B&W polarizer on my FUJI's (GA645 and GA645Wi) .

 

[JW PHOTO]

That's the way I use my B&W polarizer on my FUJI's (GA645 and GA645Wi) .

Yup, if it ain't broke don't fix it! Of course I used a little cheaper filters so your rig is a little more costly. Still, it works great that way. John W

 

[Vanishing Point Ent.]

It's been a long time but I seem the remember that circular polarizers may have occasionally posed a problem with the AF in the G-series.
It's been along time however.

I think you mean Linear Polarizers have problems with AF, they do with ALL AF's.
With MOST Polarizers watch for an under exposure indication, at MAX Underexposure the Polarizer is set to MAX Pol.

DON'T FORGET TO COMPENSATE IF IN MANUAL EXPOSURE.