Polarizing lens for digital camera?

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Rozmataz

Rozmataz

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Jun 13, 2002
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2,773
Loc
Fingerlakes Region of NYS
I am in the process of looking for a digital camera (I know, I know - I was the last one to have a color tv, a microwave and now a digital camera)

In shopping I think I stumped the sales guy at the photo shop....

Maybe some of you have already figured out this problem...

I asked him if there were digital cameras that could accept a Polarizing lens? "Hmmmm, no one has ever asked me that before" and he teaches alot of courses.

I currently use my little point-and-shoot camera that doesn't have a polarizing lens on it thinking I should use my "good" 35mm camera which does.

Any suggestions for the glare problem (besides what I do alot is take the photo before I put the glass in the package!)

Thanks

Roz
 
Not all digitals, just like not all 35mm wiil accept filters or accesory lenses. Just make sure you buy a camera that will accept a screw-on adapter and you'll be set to go. But if the salesman is stumped by the question I wouldn't rely on anything he/she says.
 
David,

The reason he was stumped was that he wasn't sure if a polarizing lens (which in essence is like a venetial blind) would conflict with the digital lens/technology... Admittedly, a camera must have the ability to accept other lenses/filters in order to put on... I am sorry if I didn't make it clear in my post... I also realize that any of the digital cameras that are sophisticated enough to accept other lenses are probably out of the price range I am willing to spend right now!

Thanks,

Roz
 
Circular polarizers work fine although they can lower shutter speeds more on digicams.
 
Roz,
I just put a polarizing filter on my 3.2 mega pixel digital camera last week. It has the proper screw-in mount for the lens (which is why my husband bought it for me). I've only taken a few pictures since then, but it doesn't seem to have any negative affect. Don't worry about waiting to purchase a digital! Since getting this one the price has dropped $200 and the number of pixels available has increased greatly. Maybe I should have waited too? :(
 
Make sure to get a circular polarizing not a linear type (if it will go on to the lens). The linear will goof up the auto focus system. You can always check a Manufactures web site, if they sell one for the camera you are looking at it should work.
Steve
 
ROZ:
Yes, a circular ppolarizer will work just fine on a digital camera, so long as it has the ability to accept filters. Polarizers effect the autofocus, not the CCD sensors.

What are you looking for? Fuji makes a great one - the FinePix 5100 for around $399. Takes 52mm filters (maybe 55) 4 megs, 10x optical zoom. Great camera for the money. You might find last year's model (5000) at a good closeout price somewhere.

Oh, yeah, in my spare time I manage a camera store. I'll save the lecture about buying online and the horror stories regarding eBay and other internet purchases I've heard lately. Pleae tell me it wasn't the photo guy at Wal Mart you were asking....

Tony
 
Roz, the Rebel and the DX70 are both slated to drop in price this summer. Both accept high quality lenses and have far superior photo results... But they will still be nudging the $1K mark....
If the business can justify taking "better" photos of works done.... or so my accountant tells me.....

My next run through the museums of Europe will see me with a laptop firewired to a DX70.

almost forgot. Right now my Kodak Easy Share wont accept a polarizer, so when I pass the photo through PhotoShop, the first thing I do is "Adjust" "Auto levels", and it takes out the flare, glare, and smog.
 
I saw that just yesterday Tony. What a sweet combo. We saw it working at a fashion shoot last summer. The guy was using a 50' firewire link and some kind of HOT laptop. Those pics were loading in about 4 seconds after he hit the trigger and he was blasting sets of 5 continuously....
I was drooling so much they asked that I stand back as to not get electricuted.... LOL.

Plus all the lenses fit to. I have several old lenses that will work. Nothing beats Large Glass.
 
Wow... what great responses!! You are all terrific and so knowledgeable - makes me love the grumble even more - it's not just about framing!!

Tony - rest assured it was not a guy from Walmart!! It was an actual photo shop which I have been patronizing for many years - after all, I am in "Kodak" country!! At least for now. (that means two things, I am here and it is still Kodak country! ;) )
 
Roz,

I would echo the others, but with a few cautions:

Make sure that the filter doesn’t hit the housing of the camera body when you zoom to wide angle. If it does it could screw up the focusing mechanism.

And, at wide angle, make sure that you don’t get vignetting due to the filter itself i.e. the corners of your view screen get dark(ish).

I would be wise to analyze these things on the store’s floor model rather than on your own camera.
 
First question, are you using on-camera flash? If so, no filter will be able to take that huge glare from the flash. Consider using a light source that will emit the light at 45 degree angle. Use two, one on either sides. You could either use manufacture off-camera cord (both nikon and canon has them for their more upper level flash units). This may be too costly though. Another (cheap) way is to use regular table lamps on either side of the frame. Adjust the white balance on the digital camera to tungston (incandecent) and shoot. For best result use the lowest ISO setting and use a tripod. Make sure that the frame is not facing the window or any bright light source. My suggestion on the camera would be canon G6. Sells for around $550 (www.bhphotovideo.com) This camera supports the off camera flash cord that I mentioned earlier.
 
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