Polarizer & rotating front element

250Gimp · Oct 16, 2006

Can I use a circular polarizer on a lense with a front element that rotates when focussing?

Can I hold the filter as the lense rotates, or will it damage the lense?

Cheers

Torus34 · Oct 17, 2006

Yes. No. Maybe.

fmw · Oct 17, 2006

250Gimp said:
Can I use a circular polarizer on a lense with a front element that rotates when focussing?

Can I hold the filter as the lense rotates, or will it damage the lense?

Cheers

Zoom, focus and then adjust the polarizer.

Illah · Oct 17, 2006

Kind of a tertiary question, but is it really necessary to get a fancy $100 polarizer? After seeing what they can do I really want one, especially since the east shore of SF is one of my favorite subjects (lots of water reflections), but the 'good' brands are priced pretty high...

--Illah

ladyphotog · Oct 17, 2006

No, just get a moderately priced circular.

250Gimp · Oct 17, 2006

Thanks for the feedback Torus34 & fmw.

Illah, I have a moderatley priced circular polarizer, $60 cdn., and I am really happy with it.

Illah · Oct 17, 2006

Well the cheapest I can find is a basic Quantaray for $40, then there's the 'Pro' level Quantaray for $70, then the MC and SMC Hoyas for $90 & $100 respectively.

--Illah

Big Mike · Oct 17, 2006

I usually go with something that is not the cheapest but not the most expensive. It's not very scientific...but it works.

Illah · Oct 17, 2006

That's often my approach as well

Man, I didn't realize how much filters jump in price as you get bigger until just recently. I was using a 52mm lens for the past few months and never gave the prices a second look since everything was $20-40.

Life would be easier if I was attracted to inexpensive hobbies!

--Illah

Big Mike · Oct 18, 2006

Ya, big filters are expensive.

I got lucky at a garage sale this year. I bought a little baggie for $1...it had a 67mm polarizer, a 67mm cross filter, three 46mm filters and a rubber lens hood...not bad for $1.