View Full Version : Snow Shooting/Polarize Question


Bruce Meyers
February 18th, 2006, 05:05 PM
Forgive me sires, for any previous provocation, I just was concerned to know if any quality work was being done, that's all. I hope someone could find it in their hearts to answer another question from a lowly and rather uneducated creton who rarely thinks before he types... here go:

I want to shoot a short in the snow, on a particularly vertiginous mountain peak covered in bright white neige. My question is when shooting in the snow, is a polarized lense necessary? Must one buy a polarized lense to shoot in snow? Does anyone have any experience shooting snow with the HD100? What is your take on it, is a polarized lense a must? Is there anyway to do without it? And if a polarizing lense is necessary, where can one purchase such an accesory for the HD100, how much does it cost, where is it available? Will there be any additional accesories needed for this endeavour? I humbly apologize to any whom I may have offended with my incisive and oft-provactive questionings.

Trond Saetre
February 18th, 2006, 05:43 PM
I shoot a lot of skiing and nature when it is snow.
Never used your camera, I use the Canon XM2.

I don't use polarize filters, and I believe I get a good result anyway.
But in some cases those filters will help. Snow give you a lot of reflections. Especially if you shoot against the sun. But at the same time, that is often when you get more details.
Shooting with the sun behind you will often give you a "flat" snow without any details.

So to answer your question:
You don't need a polarizer filter, but it might be useful.

A filter can be bought from B&H and other stores.

Bruce Meyers
February 18th, 2006, 06:25 PM
I'm curious to know what specific polarized lens is supposed to be used with the HD100, what milimeter etc.?

Bob Grant
February 18th, 2006, 06:48 PM
The camera manual should tell you the thread size you need to fit the filter to the lens. It's also typicallu marked on the front of the lense. In general a matte box is a better choice. Apart from holding universal filters they stop extraneous light hitting the lens, they do cost, especially the good ones however they'll outlast many cameras.

I'd also think about filters such as Black Mist from Schneider, again these filters usually only fit matte boxes and they COST.

Corey Boutilier
February 18th, 2006, 10:47 PM
Hi Bruce,

Tiffen can be considered a leading lens filter company for you to chose from. In fact, they offer an HD100 specific lens package that includes 6 filters.

The Polorizer in the package is an 82mm Circular Polarizer to help improve contrast.

Do a Google search for "Tiffen HD Filter Package HD100" and you should find it.

Poke around a bit more and you may be able to purchase the filter separately.

Second part to your question, shooting in snow, GO with the Polorizer. It helps move the color to a pretty blue-ish tint, and offers more snow detail through contrast. Otherwise you are forced to shoot with the ND filter.

(FYI - BHPhotoVideo.com B&H Part # JVHDFILTERPK)

Tony Goodman
February 19th, 2006, 08:04 AM
Hi Bruce

The Hd100 is an 82mm diameter

Tony