Polariser or not - Sigma 10-20

Having hopefully just recieved a good copy of the Sigma 10-20 I'm considering polariser options, one is pretty much permanently on my Siggma 17-70...

the problem with wide angle lenses is I believe that polarisers can create uneven polarisation effects but to current owners just how bad are these "effects" ?

I normally go with Hoya Pro 1 D filters but a 77mm one is very expensive, is there a similiar quality viable alternative ?

Any advice much appreciated

simon

The affect depends on the environment and angle to the sun. But with wide angle you're going to get gradients of dark-light-dark or light-dark-light from one side to the other.
Other than the few times I tried to make a panorama image, I never found it all that problematic or distracting. (if you're making panoramas, take the filter off. )


I have a $250 polarizer and a $60 polarizer. I have yet to see much difference between the two. Of course I never used both for the same scene. One 62mm the other 77mm for different lenses so comparison is wacked to start.
I suppose side by side I'd notice, but for the images I have I do not see much in regards to added flare or other quality issues.
I guess I'll have to test that some day.

When I tried it out on my 10-20 the polarization ranged from 100% on one side of the frame to nothing about 2/3rds of the way across the frame, where it started back in gradually...

Made for some interesting effects, maybe even usable for some creative shots, but not what I wanted at the time, so I returned the polarizer...

YMMV.

Sorry I can't help - I never use a polariser.

I use nd grads more than polarizers on my wide angles. easier that way.

i use a polariser and it is sometime noticeable when only part of the sky has been polarised but it has never bothered me. it does happen though but not frequent enough for me to have to recompose the shot to avoid it

Thanks for the feedback everyone, best thing for me to do is give it a try

simon

A polarizer's essential in my view. It increases colour saturation and reduces glare, particularly in foliage. Also, if you're shooting bodies of water/waterfalls you really will see the difference. I myself am not massively interested in darkening blue skies, as I usually shoot when the sun's going down or coming up.

I guess it depends on your shooting style. I've seen a number of examples of varying polarization across an image, generally I think you can get away with it.

I'm awaiting delivery of a Hoya Pro 1 (edit: for my 10-20), like this: link

Toby

Polarisers are not ideal with ultra-wide lenses because of the uneven polarisation in the sky.

[IMG]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/philstaff/lighthouse.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/philstaff/Marina1.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/philstaff/seaveiw.jpg[/IMG]

The filter on my 10/20 is a KOOD UV FILTER.