Blue 'n Gold Polarizer for Bird Photography

I was thinking that using a Blue 'N Gold Singh Ray Polarizer could

possibly give some very nice effects for bird photography with long

teles. The obvious downside is the light loss necessitating a slower

shutter speed (as an aside, Singh Ray is soon to come out with an

updated version which will sport less light loss). But I think its

use still might be possible as you would be using it to make the

light look warmer and 'earlier in the day'. Thus it might be used at

a time when a faster shutter speed could be used anyway. Also, maybe

using it with resting or slower moving waterfowl. The biggest pain

might well be using it as a drop in filter as I would think you would

need to screw it into the filter holder, hold it up to your eye, turn

until you get the effect you want and then drop it in...all before

shooting.

 

Just wondering if anyone has tried using these in long teles for

nature/wildlife/bird photos.

Howard,

 

Interesting thought. However the technical limitations may preclude

this.

 

My 300mm lens has a 82mm filter front. Neither Cokin's system nor Singh-Rays work well at full apertures (which are usually required) for the light loss, as well as the fast moving object of nature.

 

Unless you have a compact zoom with a 300mm f5.6 end, with a filter thread of 58mm or something, it would be hard to fit a Singh-Ray on. At f5.6, you'll already starting to battle with light-loss, and slowing of shutter speeds. Even using 1600 film, shutter speeds can just about be handheld in some lighting conditions.

 

So - Photoshop?

 

Kind regards

I was actually referring to the possibility of using it as a 52mm screw in filter with the Canon adaptor as a drop in rear filter on their long telephotos. Anyone try it?

The idea of getting warmer light is nice, but you can use a warming filter instead. You don't need a gold and blue polarizer for bird photography. Only if you really want a polarizer, but I don't see the point. A warming filter seems nice, less light loss.

Polarizers are rarely, if ever needed for Bird Photography. The practical limitations far outweigh the aesthetic benefits that can be attained. The best way to maximize the effects that you desire are to shoot during early morning and late evening hours when the light is warmest and contrast is at its lowest. Polarizers are often unsuitable at these hours anyway, when the sun is low in the sky, and preferably behind you so that you can shoot the bird with frontal lighting. Since polarizers only work perpendicular angles to the sun's rays, they would not be suitable when bird photography is at its best. They can be used during mid-day sunlight, but these conditions are not desireable for birds. Landscapes, sometimes, when you want those blue skies to pop, but not for birds.

 

Ross Geredien