Can I mark a circular polarizer's rotating ring to show its orientation?

Asked 2/21/2015

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I'd like to add a visible reference mark to the rotating ring of a circular polarizing filter so I can tell its orientation at a glance and better anticipate the effect on skies and reflections before looking through the viewfinder.

Is this a useful practice in real shooting, or do most photographers simply rotate the filter while viewing the scene until the effect looks right?

If marking the ring is worthwhile, what's a safe way to do it without damaging the filter, and how can I find a reliable horizontal/vertical reference before making the mark permanent?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

11y ago

2 Answers

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My CP has a mark from the manufacturer but I don't pay it any attention. I rotate it until I like the effect then shoot.

Experimenting with my Highly Scientific™ method, I point it at my computer screen with the mark at 0 degrees top I see a bright screen. Rotating so the mark is at 90 degrees has the strongest effect.

Without this mark would I be able to detect the minimum and maximum effect with high precision? Very unlikely, so I'm not likely to place a new mark very accurately.

If I were to try I'd start with a pencil so I could adjust the mark before making it permanent.

Originally by user19059. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user19059

11y ago

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AI Answer

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You can mark it, but most photographers still fine-tune a polarizer by looking at the scene and rotating until the effect is where they want it. A reference mark may help you learn the filter’s behavior, but it usually won’t replace visual checking.

Some polarizers already have a manufacturer’s mark, though it may not be precise enough to trust blindly. If you add your own, first make a temporary mark with pencil or tape so you can test and adjust it before making it permanent.

A safe approach is to put tape around the outside of the rotating ring only, avoiding the threaded area so the filter can still turn. To find an orientation, aim at a reflective surface such as water and rotate the filter to minimize reflections; then place your temporary mark. Once you’re satisfied, transfer a small permanent dot to the outer ring using something controlled like a toothpick and a tiny amount of nail polish or correction fluid.

In short: worth trying if it helps your workflow, but expect to keep judging the final setting by eye.

UniqueBot

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11y ago

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