linear or circular polarizer

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I'm just starting out taking pictures with a Canon AE-1 and want to know if I should buy a circular or lineal polarizing filter.

-- J.C. (jordancatalano24@hotmail.com), June 04, 2001

Answers

The more expensive circular polarizer is not required for use on the AE-1, however is could be used. A linear polarizer will work just fine.

-- Dave Herzstein (dherzstein@juno.com), June 04, 2001.

He I go answering a question with another question. I have Canons A1, F1 (old) and T90. Do any of them require a polarizer to be circular? Also, what is the optical or technical difference between a linear and circular polarizer? Does anyone have a list of all cameras, including Canons, that require circular polarizers? I understand that linears and certain metering systems are incompatible, but is there a simple test one can perform in order to check whether a circular polarizer must be used on a given camers?

-- Bob Wersan (postmaster@varigam.com), July 26, 2001.

Bob Wearsan asked about a Canon T90. Because of its metering method (using a beam-splitter) it requires a circular polarizer.

The following is a quote from:

http://www.schneideroptics.com/faq/faqbw.htm#qu4

"What is the difference between a Linear and a Circular Polarizer? A Circular Polarizer is a Linear Polarizer with a 1/ 4 wave plate retarder added to the back of the polarizer foil. Circular Polarizers are necessary when using an SLR that has a beam splitter which is used for internal light meter reading. The beam splitter polarizes light and depending upon the position of the polarizer, you may cause double polarization and therefore get inaccurate meter readings. Circular Polarizers are also necessary for auto focus cameras."

-- Philip McShane (philipmcshane@hotmail.com), July 26, 2001.


The F-1 cameras (all models--first to last) employ a beamsplitter, and therefore, would meter more predictably with a circular polarizer.

-- Ted Kaufman (writercrmp@aol.com), July 26, 2001.

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