Video & Camera Equipment

What’s the difference if any between circular polarizing and polarizing filters?

I’m looking at two 72mm filter sets one has a circular polarizer that shows a picture of fish in water without a glare or reflection on the water which is what I want the other just says polarizer. I want the set that just says polarizer but are these the exact same? If not does the plain polarizer eliminate glare or reflectino on water and windows?

I think the first thing you need to know is what a polarizing filter does. A polarized lens basically has microscopic lines that filter extraneous light. This is why you can get rid of glare and reflections because the lens only allows only a set direction of light (for instance only allows vertical or horizontal light through). But unlike a Neutral Density Filter, you lose only extraneous light and not a lot of desired light.

Now the difference between a regular polarizing filter and a Circular Polarizing Filter is that the regular has the microscopic lines going in one direction (again, like vertical or horizontal stripes). The circular polarizing filter has concentric circles of lines. This is only important for auto-focus lenses. If you used a regular polarizing filter, the moment the lens shifted (circular motion) for focus, the light-waves have changed and now the auto-focus is lost. However, with a circular polarizing filter, regardless of how much the focus ring turns, the light is always the same and this allows the auto-focus to continually function.

Here’s the fun part. You can see for yourself what a polarizing filter does. Take 2 REGULAR polarizing filters and place one on top of each other. If you twist one of them, you should be able to see clearly through both of them. Now continue to twist and soon you won’t be able to see through at all. This is because one filter is filtering one direction of light and the other is filtering out another. So when they are aligned, you can see through. But when they’re opposing, they’re blocking all directions (both horizontal and vertical). If you use 2 circular polarizing filters, you won’t get the opacity because they’re always aligned when on top of each other.

Polarizing filter test / demo

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Hoya 77mm Circular Polarizer HD Hardened Glass 8-layer Multi-Coated Filter $110.80 Light rays which are reflected by any surface become polarised and polarising filters are used to select which light rays enter your camara lens. They allow you to remove unwanted reflections from non-metallic surfaces such as water, glass etc. They also saturate colors and increase contrast. Polarizers come in two variations but have the same effect. Linear polarizers work with older camera meter…

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Tiffen 82mm Circular Polarizer Lens Filter $249.99 Capture stunning images with this polarizing filter that is designed to fit 82mm lenses. The warm polarizer enhances portrait and landscape photos.

77mm Circular Polarizer Filter $229 Polarizing filter enhances picture quality by blocking harmful reflected light. Use it to reduce polarized light reflections from glass and water surfaces or to improve color saturation. Simple to use, circular polarizing filters (such as Canon’s 77mm Circular Polarizer Filter) polarize light circularly, rather than linearly, so it does not interfere with autofocus or TTL light metering.

72mm Circular Polarizer Filter $189.95 Polarizing filter enhances picture quality by blocking harmful reflected light. Use it to reduce polarized light reflections from glass and water surfaces or to improve color saturation. Simple to use, circular polarizing filters (such as Canon’s 72mm Circular Polarizer Filter) polarize light circularly, rather than linearly, so it does not interfere with autofocus or TTL light metering.

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Meade 905 Variable Polarizing Filter $49.95 The Meade 905 Variable Polarizing Filter tremendously reduces glare when you’re looking at the moon. It uses two Polarizer filters mounted in a specially-machined cell, and all you have to do is turn the thumbscrew on the side to adjust for varying brightness of the lunar surface. Among telescope filters, you won’t find anything superior to the Meade #905. The #905 Variable Polarizing Filter (1.25″) greatly reduces glare in Moon observations through its two Polarizer filters mounted in a specially-machined cell. Rotate the thumbscrew on the side of the unit to adjust for varying lunar surface brightness related to Moon phases or scope magnifications. In the telescope filters, variable settings of light transmissions range between 5% and 25% of their original value. The #905 inserts into the diagonal prism followed by the eyepiece. Accepts all 1.25″ eyepieces. Buy the Meade 905 Variable Polarizing Filter, and adjust the amount of light needed for your perfect telescopic view of the moon.

Sunpak 72mm Polarizing Lens Filter $29.99 This circular polarizer delivers intense color and reduces reflections for stunning images.

58mm Circular Polarizer Filter $149 Polarizing filter enhances picture quality by blocking harmful reflected light. Use it to reduce polarized light reflections from glass and water surfaces or to improve color saturation. Simple to use, circular polarizing filters (such as Canon’s PL-C) polarize light circularly, rather than linearly, so it does not interfere with autofocus or TTL light metering.

62mm Circular Polarizer Filter $59.95 Light rays which are reflected become polarized. Polarizing filters are used to select which light rays enter your camera lens. They can remove unwanted reflections from non-metallic surfaces such as water or glass and also saturate colors providing better contrast. The effect can be seen through the viewfinder and changed by rotating the filter. The filter factor varies according to how the filter is rotated and its orientation to the sun. Filter factor is between 2.3 and 2.8 (approx. +1.3 stops). Circular polarizers are specifically designed for use with auto-focus SLR cameras (They will also work on manual systems and video cameras without problems). This filter is a must for all outdoor sunny or snowy high glare situations. It will cut out the extra bright glare and allow you to get the true blue colors, not washed out. Most photographers view this filter as “sunglasses” for your camera lens. Circular Polarizing Filters are used to increase color saturation, like darkening blue skies so that white clouds stand out. It eliminates reflections from non-metallic surfaces like glass and water. It helps reduce softness in scenery caused by atmospheric haze. This filter will not change the overall color balance of a photograph. Polarizers are commonly used to control glare on water and to allow the camera to see below the surface. They are also used to reduce glare on car bumpers and to control reflections on plate-glass windows. Polarizers are so versatile that they can perform the opposite functions as well. Some cinematographers use polarizers to increase or enhance reflections, simply by changing the filter’s setting. “Circular” refers not to the shape, but a special design that does not interfere with metering of auto exposure or auto focus systems

52MM Circular Polarizer Filter $49.99 Light rays which are reflected become polarized. Polarizing filters are used to select which light rays enter your camera lens. They can remove unwanted reflections from non-metallic surfaces such as water or glass and also saturate colors providing better contrast. The effect can be seen through the viewfinder and changed by rotating the filter. The filter factor varies according to how the filter is rotated and its orientation to the sun. Filter factor is between 2.3 and 2.8 (approx. +1.3 stops). Circular polarizers are specifically designed for use with auto-focus SLR cameras (They will also work on manual systems and video cameras without problems). This filter is a must for all outdoor sunny or snowy high glare situations. It will cut out the extra bright glare and allow you to get the true blue colors, not washed out. Most photographers view this filter as “sunglasses” for your camera lens. Circular Polarizing Filters are used to increase color saturation, like darkening blue skies so that white clouds stand out. It eliminates reflections from non-metallic surfaces like glass and water. It helps reduce softness in scenery caused by atmospheric haze. This filter will not change the overall color balance of a photograph. Polarizers are commonly used to control glare on water and to allow the camera to see below the surface. They are also used to reduce glare on car bumpers and to control reflections on plate-glass windows. Polarizers are so versatile that they can perform the opposite functions as well. Some cinematographers use polarizers to increase or enhance reflections, simply by changing the filter’s setting. “Circular” refers not to the shape, but a special design that does not interfere with metering of auto exposure or auto focus systems

67mm Circular Polarizer Filter $49.95 Light rays which are reflected become polarized. Polarizing filters are used to select which light rays enter your camera lens. They can remove unwanted reflections from non-metallic surfaces such as water or glass and also saturate colors providing better contrast. The effect can be seen through the viewfinder and changed by rotating the filter. The filter factor varies according to how the filter is rotated and its orientation to the sun. Filter factor is between 2.3 and 2.8 (approx. +1.3 stops). Circular polarizers are specifically designed for use with auto-focus SLR cameras (They will also work on manual systems and video cameras without problems). This filter is a must for all outdoor sunny or snowy high glare situations. It will cut out the extra bright glare and allow you to get the true blue colors, not washed out. Most photographers view this filter as “sunglasses” for your camera lens. Circular Polarizing Filters are used to increase color saturation, like darkening blue skies so that white clouds stand out. It eliminates reflections from non-metallic surfaces like glass and water. It helps reduce softness in scenery caused by atmospheric haze. This filter will not change the overall color balance of a photograph. Polarizers are commonly used to control glare on water and to allow the camera to see below the surface. They are also used to reduce glare on car bumpers and to control reflections on plate-glass windows. Polarizers are so versatile that they can perform the opposite functions as well. Some cinematographers use polarizers to increase or enhance reflections, simply by changing the filter’s setting. “Circular” refers not to the shape, but a special design that does not interfere with metering of auto exposure or auto focus systems

86MM Circular Polarizer Filter $59.95 ight rays which are reflected become polarized. Polarizing filters are used to select which light rays enter your camera lens. They can remove unwanted reflections from non-metallic surfaces such as water or glass and also saturate colors providing better contrast. The effect can be seen through the viewfinder and changed by rotating the filter. The filter factor varies according to how the filter is rotated and its orientation to the sun. Filter factor is between 2.3 and 2.8 (approx. +1.3 stops). Circular polarizers are specifically designed for use with auto-focus SLR cameras (They will also work on manual systems and video cameras without problems). This filter is a must for all outdoor sunny or snowy high glare situations. It will cut out the extra bright glare and allow you to get the true blue colors, not washed out. Most photographers view this filter as “sunglasses” for your camera lens. Circular Polarizing Filters are used to increase color saturation, like darkening blue skies so that white clouds stand out. It eliminates reflections from non-metallic surfaces like glass and water. It helps reduce softness in scenery caused by atmospheric haze. This filter will not change the overall color balance of a photograph. Polarizers are commonly used to control glare on water and to allow the camera to see below the surface. They are also used to reduce glare on car bumpers and to control reflections on plate-glass windows. Polarizers are so versatile that they can perform the opposite functions as well. Some cinematographers use polarizers to increase or enhance reflections, simply by changing the filter’s setting. “Circular” refers not to the shape, but a special design that does not interfere with metering of auto exposure or auto focus systems

Tiffen 67mm Circular Polarizer Lens Filter $51.99 Capture stunning images with this polarizing filter that is designed to fit 67mm lenses. The circular design rotates to achieve the effects you want.

Tiffen 77mm Circular Polarizer Lens Filter $68.99 This polarizing filter is designed to fit 77mm lenses and features a circular design that rotates for customized use.

Tiffen 58mm Circular Polarizer Lens Filter $37.99 Capture stunning images with this polarizing filter that is designed to fit 58mm lenses. The circular design rotates for customized use.

Tiffen 52mm Circular Polarizer Lens Filter $35.99 Capture stunning images with this polarizing filter that is designed to fit 52mm lenses. The enhancing filter improves color and contrast for high-quality photos.

Tiffen 72mm Circular Polarizer Lens Filter $68.99 Capture high-quality images with this polarizing filter that is designed to fit 72mm lenses. The enhancing filter improves color and contrast for stunning photography.

Panasonic DMW-LPL52 Polarizer Filter DMWLPL52 $69.17 Panasonic DMW-LPL52 Polarizer Filter DMWLPL52

72mm Circular Polarizer II Filter $129.95 Light rays which are reflected become polarized, and polarizing filters are used to select which light rays enter your camera lens. They can remove unwanted reflections from non-metallic surfaces such as water or glass and also saturate colors providing better contrast. The effect can be seen through the viewfinder and changed by rotating the filter.

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