Wide Angles (10-20 & 17-40) and Filters

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

06/05/2009 05:42:36 AM · #1

Hey everyone.. I just recently purchased some new toys to enjoy this summer, including a Sigma 10-20 and Canon 17-40. I'm curious if anyone has experience with using Circular Polarizers with either of these and knows whether or not I'd need to get the wide angle versions (which are noticeably more expensive) to avoid vignetting.

From what I've been reading, certain lenses tend to require slim filters more than others. I've also read that CPs provide uneven effects on wide angle lenses, so I'm also curious if the uneven effect looks unnatural.

spiritualspatula

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

06/05/2009 06:19:57 AM · #2

The unnatural effect you are talking about is because of how circular polarizers work. The angle of polarization varies constantly across a scene with respect to the sun, maximizing at 90 degrees (could be wrong on that though). Problem with wide angle lenses and this is that they span a greater portion of the sky, so some parts will be fully polarized whereas others will not be at all so your effect is stronger in some areas. This will definitely be noticeable on the Sigma. As far as how heavy the the vignetting will be... I'm not too sure... you could always get one larger than your lens and use a step down ring, which would avoid that problem since it's wider than the lens in the first place...

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

06/05/2009 06:34:09 AM · #3

Ahh I see.. I suppose that makes sense then. My main concern is trying to save money (ie: not buying the wide angles if the difference is unnoticeable) since I've spent a lot already on lens upgrades.. but then again, if the difference is notable, I suppose it will become a necessary expense. I just hope that's not the case, cuz most of the thin 77mm CPs are around $100!

NstiG8tr

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

06/05/2009 09:18:43 AM · #4

Originally posted by brianlh:

ie: not buying the wide angles if the difference is unnoticeable) since I've spent a lot already on lens upgrades.. but then again, if the difference is notable, I suppose it will become a necessary expense.

You are gonna notice alot especially on the 10-20. What you are actually seeing is the sides of the CP because of the wide angle and the the thickness of the CP(wide-angle CP's are much thinner). The 17-40 maybe not so bad with a 1.6 crop. On the 5D with the 17-40 vignetting started at about 30mm with a CP on it and just got worse from there. I didn't worry about it to much because most PP programs have feature to correct this or I just cropped it out.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

06/05/2009 10:52:02 AM · #5

I use an ordinary polarizer (not thin model) on my Canon 10-22 and it hardly vignettes at all even at 10mm. I'd guess the vignetting is completely gone at 12mm... This will, of course, depend on how much the flange you're screwing into protrudes from the front of your lens; Canon's is really minimal.

R.

bergiekat

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II

06/05/2009 03:09:03 PM · #6

Oh no....I have a 77mm CP for my Sigma, but do I need some other apparatus for that sweet 17-40 I picked up from Dave???

PhotoDave

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II

06/05/2009 03:15:58 PM · #7

Originally posted by bergiekat:

Oh no....I have a 77mm CP for my Sigma, but do I need some other apparatus for that sweet 17-40 I picked up from Dave???

No Kat, your current CP Filter will work just fine on the 17-40 ;) a vast majority of my landscapes were taken with that lens. Its still my favorite one in my bag

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

06/05/2009 09:23:59 PM · #8

Shucks.. I guess if not for the 17-40, I should at least get a wide angle CP for the 10-20 to be safe. Went to the local camera shop and tried to buy one today, but they didn't carry any.. so there went my chance at getting some of the architecture challenge shots I was hoping for! Guess I'll have to order something from B&H once their weekend order hiatus is over. Thanks for the input everyone :)

scooter97

Canon EOS-6D

06/05/2009 09:41:10 PM · #9

A couple of examples for you. Taken with my Rebel 350 XT and the Sigma 10-20 with a circular polarizer. No PP

Message edited by author 2009-06-05 21:41:40.