Using a Cokin A173 - blue/yellow filter

[anderschr]

I bought this filter and wasn't aware beforehand that it doesn't rotate. Is it ok to use my standard hoya

circular-polarizer?

 

I took it outside and it does turn the image completely blue, or yellow, depending on the rotation. However the

colors on my point and shoot's LCD were shimmering-- is this filter not meant for digital use?

 

Thanks.

[pam_r]

<i>"I bought this filter and wasn't aware beforehand that it doesn't rotate. Is it ok to use my standard hoya

circular-polarizer?"</i><p>

 

Unless you want to hand hold it in front of your lens (works, but it's clumsy), you'll need to buy the Cokin

filter holder. The filter holder itself rotates. Using your standard polarizer will work, but the Blue/Yellow is

a specialty filter. You can't the same effects with a standard polarizer.</p>

 

<p><i>"I took it outside and it does turn the image completely blue, or yellow, depending on the rotation.

However the colors on my point and shoot's LCD were shimmering-- is this filter not meant for digital use?"</i></p>

 

<p>

It does fine with digital. Just be aware that what you see in the viewfinder isn't necessarily what you'll get in

the image. Play around and get comfortable using it. It's a fun filter to play with. In the gallery below, I've

used it several times:</p>

 

<p>

<a href="http://www.pbase.com/pam_r/mexico">Cokin Blue/Yellow polarizer examples</a></p>

[anderschr]

I'm using a cokin A300 holder, it attaches by the tripod mount for point-and-shoots.

 

<img src="http://www.cokin.co.uk/photos/ffast2.jpg">

 

This holder doesn't allow me to rotate it, but from turning the filter itself that doesn't appear to be how it's supposed to work anyhow.

 

"Using your standard polarizer will work, but the Blue/Yellow is a specialty filter. You can't the same effects with a standard polarizer."

 

I don't understand what you mean by this.

[pam_r]

<p>Ahhh...that holder doesn't seem to rotate. Cokin makes a magnetic holder that looks like would allow the

filter to rotate.</p>

 

<p>

To use any type of polarizer, you need to rotate the filter. A polarizer is used to reduce reflections. This has

the effect of deepening the color of the sky, and removing/reducing reflections from glass and water. It can also

increase color saturation by removing glare.</p>

 

<p>

The polarizing effect will be strongest when you're at right angles to the sun. Basically, keep the sun lined up

near your shoulder and the effect will be strong. The nearer the sun is to your back (or front), the weaker the

effect.</p>

 

<p>

The Cokin blue/yellow polarizes, but at the same time, it alters color. A regular polarizer doesn't alter color.

So the blue/yellow is a special effects filter. To get an idea of what it does, take your filter outside and look

through it. Stand at right angles to the sun and rotate the filter as you look through. Notice what it does to

water, sunlight on leaves, and the sky itself. Position yourself 45 degrees to a window with reflections. Hold up

the filter and rotate it as you look at the window. You should notice that the reflections are reduced.</p>

[guendanadxi]

Hi!

 

You can also look a review on the Cokin A173 on the Luiminous Landscape:

 

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/b-y_polarizer.shtml

 

BTW, nice photos Pam :)

 

Luis