Top & Best Polarizing filter Review 2022 – How to Select Ultimate Buyer’s Guide
Top & Best Polarizing filter: How to choose the best model in 2022?
A self-respecting photographer knows the importance of using tools that will improve image quality and assist in creating more beautiful photos. An example of this is the polarizing filter, a product we will talk about today in this article. Welcome to mypricesaving.com
The polarizing filter is suitable for outdoor photos, as it is able to capture details and improve the color, saturation and contrast of the most diverse landscapes. That’s why he is the darling of the photography world.
However, it is not only for professionals that it is indicated and everyone can purchase it. If you are interested, continue with us and we will show you step by step to choose yours.
First, the most important
- Polarizing filters work to improve the image of non-metallic surfaces.
- There are models for every type of camera, from professional to amateur.
- Polarizing filters can be divided into two large groups: linear and circular. We will explain the differences between them.
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Ranking: The 4 best polarizing filters
Whether you are a professional or amateur photographer, know that it is possible to find a polarizing filter for your need. To show you this, we have separated below a ranking with the best options on the market, check it out.
Buying Guide
Not even the best photographer in the world can do everything himself. Therefore, there are several tools that can leave the job with even more quality and beauty.
One of them is the polarizing filter, which is ideal for outdoor photos and which manages to give a different effect to the images. If you are interested in this product continue with us, because in this buying guide we will talk about it.
What is a polarizing filter?
Considered an essential tool for those who work with photography, the polarizing filter is an extremely important piece for those looking to reduce reflections and brightness and enhance colors and contrasts.This product exists in two variations, the linear and the circular shape, and is composed of two parts, one fixed in a thread shape for attachment to the camera lens and an adjustable movable part.
In this way, he is able to transform non-polarized light, which is natural, into polarized light, according to the setting that the photographer chose.
It is indicated mainly for outdoor photographs, because it is able to reduce the reflection from landscapes that contain glass and water, for example. In this way, the image is more vivid, since the details that would be obscured stand out.
In addition, it can be used in photographs with fog, people, foliage and more. See the difference between two photos taken with and without a polarizing filter.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the polarizing filter?
The main advantage of the polarizing filter is the fact that it eliminates or attenuates reflections that may appear in the images, which provides pictures with more vivid and sharp colors.Even related to the tones of the photos, this tool works even when the light of the place is very strong, creating that aspect that everything is white. On these occasions the product will filter the spare light rays at the desired angle and register the actual color tone of the scene.
This functionality is related to the fact that you can select which effect you want just by sliding the filter to the side.
These differentials provided by the polarizing filter are not achieved by any other tool, not even by image editing programs. This is because when a photo is taken with reflections from the surface they hide parts of the image, which even with the best software will no longer appear.
addition, this product can be used by both digital and analog cameras and even camcorders and acts as a way of protecting the camera lens.
However, even in the midst of so many advantages, there are also negative points related to polarizing filters. The main one is related to price, as this is one of the most expensive types of filters on the market.
Another point is that it does not work on metal surfaces and, because it is made of glass, it can easily break if dropped. It can also be highlighted that it can be a little difficult to visualize its effect through the camera’s viewfinder.
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- Photos with less glare and reflections
- Images with more colors, contrast and saturation
- Can be adjusted according to the effect
- Protects the camera lens
- Can be used in all types of camera
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- High value
- Difficult to see through the camera’s viewfinder
- Fragility
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Does the polarizing filter fit all types of cameras?
The answer to that question is yes and no. Polarizing filters come in various sizes, precisely to adapt to different types of lenses. However, depending on the type of camera, there may be a need for additional products to be able to use it.When it comes to DSLR cameras, which are models with interchangeable lenses, there is nothing to worry about, as they have a threaded fitting with diameters that fit most filters available on the market.
Thinking now of the intermediate digital cameras, it is likely that adapters are necessary and especially for the older compact models the restriction is greater, requiring tubes and adapter rings to be able to use smaller diameter filters such as 37 mm.
In the case of ultra-compact cameras or cell phones, be aware that specific accessories are also required.
When not to use the polarizing filter?
There are some occasions when the polarizing filter is not indicated, they are:
- Through tempered glass
- On photographs of electronic device screens
- To photograph a rainbow
- Reflections in the water
- Stitched panoramic photos
- Wide Angle Photos
On these occasions the product can be more disturbing than improving the image and it is more interesting to choose another tool.
What care is needed with the polarizing filter?
Your polarizing filter needs to be very well taken care of so that it can give you the desired effect in the photos, without doing the reverse paper and end up spoiling all your work.To learn how to take care of your filter and increase the durability of the chosen model, watch this video from the Fama Fotografia channel:
How much?
The polarizing filter has a very varied value and depends on factors such as size, brand and type of coating.It is possible to purchase this product for an average minimum price of R $ 35, the maximum it can cost is around R $ 450.
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When purchasing a polarizing filter, be aware of how you handle it so as not to dirty it. Then, before attaching it to the lens, check that there is no dust between it and the filter, as this may impair the quality of the photo.
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Where to buy?
The best place to buy a polarizing filter is at stores that specifically sell products for photography and cameras.On the internet they exist in a wide range of options, and some sites that have this product are:
- Amazon
Purchasing criteria: Factors to compare polarizing filter models
As it is one of the most expensive tools when it comes to photography, it is important to make the right choice in order to achieve the best goals and not lose money. To help you in this process we have selected the main factors that you must take into consideration to choose the correct filter, they are:
- The circular or linear polarizing filter
- Coating
- Brand
- Price
We will highlight each of these aspects, so you can make the right choice when buying your polarizing filter.
The circular or linear polarizing filter
There are two types of a polarizing filter, circular and linear. This nomenclature is not related to the shape of the filter, but to the way it polarizes light.
Linear polarizing filter
The linear polarizing filter allows only polarized light waves in a single direction to pass through it. Due to this characteristic, cameras lose their ability to autofocus and measure luminance.
This is because these systems depend on incident light in several directions to function, and as with the linear model the light enters in only one direction, the photographer loses the option of using the automatic focus and receives incorrect readings from the brightness meter. Therefore, only choose the linear filter if you want to use only the manual focus.
Circular polarizing filter
The circular polarizing filter, or also called PL-C or CPL, has two layers that act in different ways. One serves to polarize the image, thus eliminating reflections, the other acts to depolarize the scene. Each adjustment angle of the moving part will produce a slightly different result.
With this option, it is possible to use automatic cameras without any restrictions and that is why this model of the polarizing filter is more expensive and also one of the first options for photographers.
Coating
Basically all polarizing filters are produced in glass, however, the type of coating that glass receives is directly related to its quality and price.
Some models have one or more layers of coatings that serve to reduce the likelihood of chromatic errors or prevent unwanted reflections from appearing in the photo.
In addition, there are options that have coated outer layers that are usually harder, not to mention that there are also those that are resistant to impacts, water, oil, and stains.
It is important to check these issues because filters without additional coatings can take details out of the photo, let reflections through, and also have reduced durability.
Brand
The brand of both the filter and your camera can change the polarizing filter model you will buy.
Check carefully whether the box or the product description specifies for example that it is for Canon cameras. If so, it is important to make sure that it will fit perfectly on your Nikon camera, so to speak.
Specific brands only in the production of filters are usually the ones that create the most versatile options.
Price
As we explained in the topics above, the price of polarizing filters varies widely and can reach a high amount, however, the savings are not always worth it.
The higher price of a polarizing filter model is probably justified not only by its size but also by its additional items, as explained above.
Always read the technical specifications of the product well and evaluate if it will be really positive for your photos or if it can easily spoil or promote unwanted changes to the image.
