Different Polarizers on Digital Cameras

[aaron_schmidt1]

I recently upgraded from a Fuji Finepix S7000 to a Nikon D70. When

using a circular polarizer, I cannot get the beautiful dark blue

skies with my new D70 that I used to get with my Fuji. The

polarizer darkens the sky a little, but it does not deepen the blue

anywhere near the extent of the Fuji. I am using a Promaster

circular polarizer on my D70. I know it's not the highest quality,

but would that effect the strength of its darkening effect?

 

1. Are there different types or even quality of polarizers that

would effect the strength of the polarization (in other words, can I

buy a different polarizer that would be stronger and darken more)?

 

2. Do you think the difference is the camera and not the polarizer?

 

3. Are there any effective Photoshop techniques to darken sky more,

without noise?

 

Thank you in advance for your comments.

[jpbarilguerard]

What focal lengths were you using on each camera? The polarization may seem less dramatic on wider lenses.

 

It may just be a camera settings thing as well. Play with contrast curves, saturation adjustments and the like or, better yet, shoot RAW, maybe you'll be able to fine-tune your results to match those of the S7000 more closely.

[lynn_gerig]

Polarizers work fine with my D70.

 

Do you still have your previous camera? Shoot the same image with both cameras and compare results. Or use a friend's camera and compare 2 images shot at the same time.

 

Are you truly comparing polarizing effects uner EXACTLY the same conditions, or just comparing to a previous image shot under different lighting conditions? The effects of a polarizer depend on atmospheric conditions, time of day, and particularly angle to the sun. If you are shooting toward or away from the sun, you won't see much effect except for a loss of about 2 f/ stops. You need to be shooting at 90 degrees to the sun to get the effects you want. Remove the polarizer from the camera and hold it in front of your eyes. If your eyes don't see the effect you want, neither will film or a CCD.

 

If you try to market your photos, be aware that skies which don't look natural (too dark) may reduce the commercial value of your image.

 

Lynn Gerig