4x4" Filters for Picture Quality Improvement at DVinfo.net

Corey Cook · November 23rd, 2003, 01:23 AM

What are the best 4x4" glass filters for overall picture imrovement?

Thanks,

C. Cook

Charles Papert · November 23rd, 2003, 12:33 PM

Corey, you indeed Have Spoken...Vaguely!

What kind of overall picture improvement are you looking for? Better contrast, latitude, color, more film-like? It depends on the shooting situation. Best to start off with a Polarizer for exteriors. Searching the archives here under "filters" may unearth some gems.

Good luck!

Corey Cook · November 25th, 2003, 06:31 PM

I've looked at circular polarizers.

What do they mean by 'circular?' Is the filter NOT a 4x4" square glass, but a circular filter?

Thanks,

C. Cook

Charles Papert · November 25th, 2003, 07:21 PM

Corey,

Much discussion has occurred here over circular vs linear polarizers. Try doing a search. I'm personally of the school that circular polarizers are not necessary for DV.

Ken Tanaka · November 25th, 2003, 08:10 PM

Corey,
I think you are confused by the term "circular" with respect to a polarizer. It has no relation to the physical shape of the filter. It refers to the manner in which light is polarized in the filter. There are circular polarizers and linear polarizers.

For what it's worth, I use a linear polarizer in a 4"x 4" matte box and it works just fine with both my XL1s and my DVX100.

Frank Ladner · December 1st, 2003, 08:16 PM

Corey,

You would want to use a circular polarizer to reduce glare from
water, windshields, fish tanks, etc. These work by filtering the
reflected light, which comes in at a different angle than light
that isn't reflected. (Very simplistic terms there, but this is how
I understand it.)

Also, as with a regular polarizer, they are used to get that blue
saturated sky look.

The main difference is that circular polarizers can be turned to
adjust the glare filtering.

,Frank

Charles Papert · December 2nd, 2003, 10:17 AM

I'm afraid I can't agree with Frank on this. Linear polarizers are designed to be turned to increase or decrease glare of reflected light. Despite the name, both are made in square and round shapes. Information and definition of the two types and what they are used for can be found at the various filter manufacturer's sites such as Tiffen and Schneider.

Frank Ladner · December 2nd, 2003, 10:52 AM

Charles: Thanks for that clarification. I always took it that
circular polarizers were simply adjustable, as opposed to
linear polarizers.

I found this explanation on one page:

"A circular polarizer is a linear polarizer with a 1/4 wave plate attached at a 45° angle"

Thanks!

,Frank

November 23rd, 2003, 01:23 AM	#1
Corey Cook Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 51	4x4" Filters for Picture Quality Improvement What are the best 4x4" glass filters for overall picture imrovement? Thanks, C. Cook __________________ I Have Spoken.

November 23rd, 2003, 12:33 PM	#2
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Corey, you indeed Have Spoken...Vaguely! What kind of overall picture improvement are you looking for? Better contrast, latitude, color, more film-like? It depends on the shooting situation. Best to start off with a Polarizer for exteriors. Searching the archives here under "filters" may unearth some gems. Good luck! __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

November 25th, 2003, 06:31 PM	#3
Corey Cook Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 51	I've looked at circular polarizers. What do they mean by 'circular?' Is the filter NOT a 4x4" square glass, but a circular filter? Thanks, C. Cook __________________ I Have Spoken.

November 25th, 2003, 07:21 PM	#4
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Corey, Much discussion has occurred here over circular vs linear polarizers. Try doing a search. I'm personally of the school that circular polarizers are not necessary for DV. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

November 25th, 2003, 08:10 PM	#5
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Corey, I think you are confused by the term "circular" with respect to a polarizer. It has no relation to the physical shape of the filter. It refers to the manner in which light is polarized in the filter. There are circular polarizers and linear polarizers. For what it's worth, I use a linear polarizer in a 4"x 4" matte box and it works just fine with both my XL1s and my DVX100. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

December 1st, 2003, 08:16 PM	#6
Frank Ladner Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Poplarville, MS Posts: 453	Corey, You would want to use a circular polarizer to reduce glare from water, windshields, fish tanks, etc. These work by filtering the reflected light, which comes in at a different angle than light that isn't reflected. (Very simplistic terms there, but this is how I understand it.) Also, as with a regular polarizer, they are used to get that blue saturated sky look. The main difference is that circular polarizers can be turned to adjust the glare filtering. ,Frank

December 2nd, 2003, 10:17 AM	#7
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	I'm afraid I can't agree with Frank on this. Linear polarizers are designed to be turned to increase or decrease glare of reflected light. Despite the name, both are made in square and round shapes. Information and definition of the two types and what they are used for can be found at the various filter manufacturer's sites such as Tiffen and Schneider. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

December 2nd, 2003, 10:52 AM	#8
Frank Ladner Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Poplarville, MS Posts: 453	Charles: Thanks for that clarification. I always took it that circular polarizers were simply adjustable, as opposed to linear polarizers. I found this explanation on one page: "A circular polarizer is a linear polarizer with a 1/4 wave plate attached at a 45° angle" Thanks! ,Frank