Can a circular polarizer replace an ND filter for propeller blur at an airshow?
Asked 10/10/2015
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I want slower shutter speeds to show propeller blur on aircraft in daylight. My current settings are around 210mm equivalent on a 1.5x crop body, ISO 100, 1/800s, f/8. I don’t own an ND filter yet, but I do have a circular polarizer (CPL). Can a CPL work well enough to reduce shutter speed for this purpose, or is an ND filter the better choice? If I stop down further as well, what shutter speeds are typically useful for visible prop blur while panning?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
10y ago
2 Answers
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A polarizing filter will probably cut out 2 stops of light, which would allow you to shoot at 1/200 instead of 1/800. Depending on your lens, you might be able to shoot at f/11 or f/16 and further reduce the shutter speed. You should get good prop blur at 1/125 or so.
The problem with a CPL is that as you pan across the sky, or rotate the camera from landscape to portrait, the polarizing effect is going to change and so will your exposure, whereas an ND filter would be constant.
Originally by user4191. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4191
10y ago
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—a CPL can help, because it typically reduces light by about 2 stops. Starting from 1/800s, that gets you roughly to 1/200s at the same ISO/aperture, and stopping down to f/11 or f/16 can slow it further. For noticeable prop blur, around 1/125s is often good, and even slower speeds like 1/60s may work if you pan well.
The downside is consistency: a CPL’s effect changes as you pan across the sky or rotate from landscape to portrait, so exposure and sky appearance can shift. An ND filter gives a constant light reduction and is the better tool if you want predictable results.
So: a CPL is usable as a temporary substitute, especially if you also stop down, but an ND is preferable for stable exposure while tracking aircraft.
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AI10y ago
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