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Hi All,
I'm a new boy on the block. I've been shooting with the D70 for approx 6.5 months and loving it- BUT - I require a Circ. Polarizer Filter that actually works on my kit lens (18 - 70mm DX)

I have a Fotar CPL at present which gives me no joy - only pain (sigh)
C'mon D70 shooters, tell me which CPL works on your cameras!

Regards,

Matty B

Hoya works for me.

Why are you finding issues with the Fotar? If it fits the lens's mouth, it should work, regardless of whether the camera is digital or film, which is how I'm reading your question.

And you should be able to see the effects in the viewfinder.

Could you please elaborate on the problem?

Hi MattyB

Welcome.

Hoya filters are good and you reasonably priced. Some members also use the Cokin filter system. I have both Hoya and Nikon filters and have never had any problems with these brands of filters.

HTH

I got a B&W for Christmas and love it, the way it punches up a blue sky is teriffic. It's a little pricey but Santa was in a giving mood

The key with any of them is they will not work well or at all if you are shooting into the sun or at your back. The sun has to be at 90 degrees to the lens for max effect, I don't know the physic of it but do know it is true it's even in the instructions
If you want after work I can post some links with it turned up or down I think I took some at both settings.

Matty B wrote:I require a Circ. Polarizer Filter that actually works on my kit lens (18 - 70mm DX)

I have a Fotar CPL at present which gives me no joy - only pain (sigh)
C'mon D70 shooters, tell me which CPL works on your cameras!

G'day Matt,
Firtly welcome to the best forum around

As Gary mentioned I'm not really sure what the worry is, I happen to use Hoya (HMC, ie: multi-coated) but I thought basically just about any CPL would work... At times it's hard to see the difference, at others it's amazing, depending on the amount of sun light bouncing around and getting the orientation of the CPL related to the angle of the sun etc... I assume your not using Auto? Dunno if that would make any diff or not, haven't used auto... An interesting experiment is turning the CPL while looking at reflections in some glass, say the windows of a car, you should be able to see a very strong difference in the amount of reflections in the image...

Cheers,
Mudder

Hi, Thanks all for replies. Sounds like Hoya is my best bet - where is the best place to purchase? (online is good too)

In regard to my Fotar CPL, I can tell you this much:- I have had lots of experiece using a Sunpack CPL on my Sony F 717 Cybershot and it works a treat on that camera. I really appreciate the beneficial aesthetic effects that a polariser makes on my landscape shots. I do know that max. effect is to be had at right angles to the sun.

I can see the the different intensities in my D70 viewfinder when twisting the filter around - that's what I expect to see (same on Sony set up) but the Fotar filter seems to be a considerable amount darker than my Sunpack CPL and when used on the DX lens it really under-exposes my frames very badly. When shooting a typical landscape with a bright sky and well lit foreground, my D70 exposes the sky 'darkish' and the foreground black. I shoot RAW and edit using PS CS. I'm unable to retrieve sufficient 'information' in the foreground by upping the exposure value in the RAW (NEF) edit stage and no amount of post shoot editing with shadow / highlight feature will correct this problem.

I have experimented with twisting the filter to four settings, using D70's exposure compensation (in both directions) and using all light meter modes to try to correct this. I've shot in man/shutter/app priority modes as well as Auto. Of course all angles into and away from the sun have been shot as well and basically the same exposure hitch in all cases.

To me, the Fotar CPL is as dark as gas welding glass - which is pretty dark stuff. I've checked with the camera store and the packaging says CPL (only) as I thought I may have been sold a combination filter by mistake (if they exist) but no - it's just a CPL according to all sources.

That's all I can add to this issue.

Regards,

Matty B.

ps maybe I should try holding the Fotar piece up to the Sony lens and seeing what I get there?

hoya CPL 67mm here.

I use the Cokin filter system which I find excellent.

Allows me to buy only one filter for all size lenses, you need to buy the adapter rings but they are only $20 (buying one today for my 24 - 120).

W00DY

Yep, Hoya is sounding really good! - Thanks for your input - I really appreciate it! Good One

Good story Matty. I have no idea what the problem might be, but it makes for a good read!

cheers

Greg, Hey, I'm full of stories, I'm pleased you liked this one! I'm begining to think I have been sold a dud. I have had a friend (former pro- photographer) check it out and he tells me I got what I paid for. ($45 AU) I had the option of waiting for the Hoya equiv. to come into stock in the store, but (with hindsight) I was a fool and rushed in. I mean no ill of Fotar stuff, just this mongrel piece I have here in my camera bag!

Cheers,

Matty B PS- I love this D70 site , it's the most hands on -relevent site I've come across. Caters for all levels of photographer too by the looks of things!

Woody - I missed you contribution, thanks - I have a 70 - 300 tele zoom which is 62mm thread so I'll have to investigate the Cokin System too!

Cheers,

Matty B

Matty,

If it is as dark as you say, you could always keep it for the next lunar eclipse or sun shot.

Cheers

Matt

Hi Matt,
You've solved the mystery - the 'ol lunar/solar eclipse filter in the CPL box trick! But seriously, It is dark - approx the same as mate's gas axe googles. Note. gas welding/cutting not arc welding! Probably not the best thing to point directly at the sun however partial it is. I'll find a use for it one day - how about a coaster for a shot glass?

Cheers,

Matty B

Put some spikes on it and attach it to your belt with a chain and start a new fad, or start a fad amongst photographic gothic bad boys.