Vignetting Problems with Kit Lens & CPL

[Manta]

Has anyone had vignetting problems with the kit lens and the Hoya CPL? I haven't used the filter much at all and I was quite surprised with this result at the wide setting. I know it's easy enough to clone out but does anyone have any advice - are there any other settings I could use to minimise or eliminate the effect? Appreciate any assistance as it would be very disappointing not to be able to shoot, for example, wide-angle landscapes without the CPL.
Shot at 18mm on the 18-70 Kit lens, ISO 200, 1/80 at f/14

[wendellt]

hi Simon


congratulations on your Outstanding Member of the Year award

Very nice image
great perpsective and thoughtful placement of the sun

I get vignetting at 17mm with an ultra thin version of the hoya CPL 77mm and use it on a step down ring attached to the kit lens, obviously the step down ring is causing the vignetting.

bought the 77mm cpl because i use it mostly on the 12-24dx

example here


I just crop out or clone, it's not a big issue for me.

[Manta]

Thanks for the congrats Wendell and your comments on the vignetting - I guess I'll just comensate for it in future allowing some extra composition space for cropping. That's a fantastic shot of yours!

[gstark]

Simon,

Are you using this filter in addition to, say, a skylight or uv filter fitted to the lens? If so, remove the other filter and only use just the CPL.

Also - and this from the stating the bleedin' obvious department - if you're using a hood, make sure that it's mounted correctly.

And be careful to not confuse the darkening effect of the CPL with vignetting. Remember that with a wider angle, you're getting more sky than might otherwise be the case, and the CPL might be affecting this a tad more than you expect.

But do play around with it seriously, and try a shot or two at the widest setting (18) and then bump the lens up a notch - say to 20 or so - and see if the vignetting goes away.

[Manta]

Thanks Gary - I never even thought about the Skylight filter! What a goose.

Judging by the amount of darkening, it could well be that removing the Skylight will fix the problem. If not, I'll certainly try your other tip and see how it goes.

[mudder]

G'day,

Firstly congrats on the award mate, well deserved...

Never experienced any vignetting on my kit lens using the hood and the standard HOYA MC CPL. I assume your comment about the skylight filter meant you were stacking them? If so, I'd bet that's your worry...

[Manta]

Thx Andrew.

I reckon the filter stacking is the problem. I just forget the Skylight is there.

[DionM]

Manta,

As others have said, don't stack filters

I use an ultra-thin Hoya CPL and don't have any vignetting at 17mm on my 77mm dia 17-40 lens.

[Manta]

Manta,

As others have said, don't stack filters

I use an ultra-thin Hoya CPL and don't have any vignetting at 17mm on my 77mm dia 17-40 lens.

Thx Dion - I've been suitably chastised. Don't want to gain the title of Outstanding Filter-Stacker of the Year!!!

[DionM]

Manta,

As others have said, don't stack filters

I use an ultra-thin Hoya CPL and don't have any vignetting at 17mm on my 77mm dia 17-40 lens.

Thx Dion - I've been suitably chastised. Don't want to gain the title of Outstanding Filter-Stacker of the Year!!!

I have an ND, warming filter and a few others you can borrow if you want to go for it

[gstark]

Simon,

It's an all too easy trap to fall into. We just forget that the skylight is there, and carry on regardless.

Glad to be able to help.

[Killakoala]

There is a vignetting tool in both Nikon Capture and Photoshop RAW convertor. It may help.

[Manta]

I have an ND, warming filter and a few others you can borrow if you want to go for it

Ha! I reckon if I combine my Skylight, CPL, ND and 3 Close-up filters I can get a shot that's entirely vignette and no image!

There is a vignetting tool in both Nikon Capture and Photoshop RAW convertor. It may help.

Thanks Steve - I tried them but wasn't happy with the result. I ended up cropping the shot.