Question........

[ignatiusjk]

Does a standard film polarizer lens work on digital cameras? I have a new digital and was wondering.

[Lachlan 717]

You could have problems if you use a non-circular one (i.e. standard one).

It can stuff up the metering.

[Marko]

There's no reason why it shouldn't. Same light, same lens, same physics.

Linear ones can mess up SLRs though (film and digital alike), especially the AF ones. Using circular type solves the problem.

[Lachlan 717]

There's no reason why it shouldn't. Same light, same lens, same physics.

Linear ones can mess up SLRs though (film and digital alike), especially the AF ones. Using circular type solves the problem.

I assumed that standard film polarizer lens = standard film polarizer FILTER as I don't know what a polariser lens is.

[Scott Knowles]

Digital cameras need circular polarizing filters for the same reasons the autofocus film SLR's need them, for the autofocus. They're not necessary for manual focus (non-AF) cameras where linear ones work. Of course, there always is the tried and true method to know for yourself. Try it. It's not like you're wasting film with digital, you'll only get a few images where you'll go, "WTF?"

[Marko]

I assumed that standard film polarizer lens = standard film polarizer FILTER as I don't know what a polariser lens is.

I don't know where do you stick your polarizers nor do I care. I use mine on top of the lens to filter the light that passes through. :rolleyes:

Then again, I don't know why are you talking to me either, nor do I care...

[Bob Salomon]

Digital cameras need circular polarizing filters for the same reasons the autofocus film SLR's need them, for the autofocus. They're not necessary for manual focus (non-AF) cameras where linear ones work. Of course, there always is the tried and true method to know for yourself. Try it. It's not like you're wasting film with digital, you'll only get a few images where you'll go, "WTF?"

Linear polarizers were first used on Canon auto exposure SLR cameras that were manual focus. The reason that a camera needs a circular polarizer is that it employees a beam splitter in the optical system. The beam splitter may be used for the expoure metering system, the auto focusing system, a focus confirmation system or any combination of them. In addition some cameras need a circular polarizer to properly display the readouts in the viewfinder of the camera.

Auto focus alone may not require a circular polarizer as it is possible for a camera to have an external cell that does the AF reading and not place it behind a beam splitter.

[adonis_abril]

Does a standard film polarizer lens work on digital cameras? I have a new digital and was wondering.

I use a Linear Polarizer on my 5D MK II, I also use a circular pol. Metering and autofocus will be affected by the Linear Pol but I usually focus manual (TS-E, manual focus lens) and always check the histogram.