Circular Polarising Filter CPL

The following information was not immediately obvious to me so I will share my personal revelation for other newbies.

I have been asked to shoot a friends Wedding (as you do) which is set for January. My immediate thought was a white dress in snow!

Having already considered a CPL to increase cloud definition I used the excuse to buy a CPL (The basic HOYA at about £30 Retail).

Hoping to minimise effort I had decided I would probably go with my 18-135 lens for the outside/daylight shots and so bought the 62mm filter.

Again, hoping to keep things simple, I quickly took some sky shots with the intention of gaining some ideas of effect, to maybe manage some "from the hip" shots.

Put the filter on the lens with the HOYA symbol at 12 O'clock. Took a fully auto shot and then moved the filter to the quarter past position with the same highly scientific methodolgy!

I found that the first shot had little to no effect at the 12 and 6 positions whilst the 'quarter past' and 'quarter to' images brought the desired effect very well.

to illustrate I have posted the first and second pics and have not bothered to repeat, as previously described are the same.







I hope this may help someone with my limited experience in a similar situation and would be happy to answer the newbie questions that may be a little obvious to the more experienced guys

Polarisers also work best with the sun to the side, rather than in front or behind you.

I play with the filter until I get the desired affect.

You do know there is a little slide out bit on the lens hood to enable you to adjust the filter with the hood on. The hole goes at the bottom of course.

Try not to lose the slide out bit though - they are expensive to replace apparently.

Thank you Gwyn. I wondered what that was for. Obvious now you mention it

They always have an index on the ring which should be turned towards the light source, it's usually mentioned in the instruction leaflet. I'd forget all about using it in a January wedding.

Found all the above helpfull, so thanks for sharing

Thanks for responding Ken but there is nothing on the filter apart from the ID Lettering (HOYA PL-CIR 62mm). There's no instructions with or on the packaging.

My other reason for posting, as I have, is that either TTL or LiveView I can see very little discerbable effect but it has had the desired effect in output

I don't know your reason for saying "I'd forget using it at a January Wedding." but the way things are shaping I probably won't for the above reason. Not a good time to experiment with new kit

Cheers.

Steve