Skylight filters vs Circular Polarizers

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

02/25/2005 05:57:05 PM · #1

Can anyone give me some feedback as to when they would use the skylight filter, especially instead of a polarizer? I am not quite understanding some of the conflicting information I am finding on the uses of these two add-on filters. BTW - this is for my Kodak 7590, not a dSLR.

Thank you!

faidoi

Pentax K10D

02/25/2005 06:02:09 PM · #2

Skylight filter is used to cut through the haze especially in landscape photos. Reduces UV. When you take a shot of something like a mountain far away smog will effect the shot. Using the filter is suppose to give you something closer to what you see.

Circular polarizer is used to reduce reflections. It can be used to take pictures of fishes underwater by turning the filter to cut the reflections.

Message edited by author 2005-02-25 18:04:04.

soup

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

02/25/2005 06:04:47 PM · #3

i have a skylight aka UV filter on all my lenses.
it doesn't really do anything to the image, yet is good cheap protection for the expensive glasss.

02/25/2005 06:22:07 PM · #4

Originally posted by soup:

i have a skylight aka UV filter on all my lenses.
it doesn't really do anything to the image, yet is good cheap protection for the expensive glasss.

They also help cut down on U/V light (thus the name) which is the culprit in washed out skies. U/V and skylight filters will bring out more detail in the sky and the clouds. A polarizer will do the same only much stronger. With B/W photography varrying shades of red, yellow, and orange filters were used to bring out the detail in the clouds and sky to great effect.

Canon PowerShot Pro 90 IS

02/25/2005 06:25:14 PM · #5

Thank you. It makes more sense now why they are brought up along with polarizers as far as the skies go. I don't keep a filter on all the time, becuse with my camera, the loss in shutter speed can hurt unless I need the filter. Thank you all for the help!!

coolhar

02/25/2005 06:28:09 PM · #6

Almost all the people using UV filters, some times called haze or skylight filters, are using them to protect their lens. That is to protect it from accidental scratches, rain, etc., not to protect the lens from ultraviolet light. The normal UV filters are so mild, or weak, that you can see very little difference in your shots. You can buy them in varying degrees of strength. If you really want the haze-cutting benefit you have to get something stronger than the basic "protector".

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

02/25/2005 06:31:19 PM · #7

Originally posted by coolhar:

I have Kodak's UV filter for my camera, but as I said, don't use it under safe, normal conditions. I will have to try all 3 in the same setting and see what I come up with. Thanks!

Natator

Canon EOS-5D

02/25/2005 06:33:31 PM · #8

Are people absolutely certain here that a skylight and a UV filter are EXACTLY the same?

I don't think they are. There are some subtle differences between them, although I have no idea what they are.

The reason I say this is that I have seen debates on which one to use, and people seemed to think the UV was best for digital.

Having said that, I think that was comparing the "Skylight 1B" vs UV, so maybe that's the difference.

Anyone know for certain here?

Message edited by author 2005-02-25 18:34:13.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

02/25/2005 06:35:55 PM · #9

I don't think they are the same - but just similar according to what people are saying. But then, I am the confused one asking the question! lol

fotodude

Nikon D70

02/25/2005 06:37:02 PM · #10

never use a skylight it is for film correction only u don't need with digital that is what the white ballence is for.....

the CPL however can be used whenever u want to get rid of unwanted reflections or want to add dencity to your image before computer editing......

use a UV haze to protect your lense instead of a A1 and use the CPL when ever u feel like it.....

u might try looking up what lots of the filters do espiacly, to find out what 1s u don't need.

filters where primarly for film "WB" correction tungston film under floresiant light etc.......

_brando_

Natator

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

02/25/2005 06:38:28 PM · #11

That ties in exactly with what I had read fotodude, especially that the UV and Skylight are not one in the same.

fotodude

Nikon D70

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

02/25/2005 06:40:43 PM · #12

Originally posted by Natator:

Are people absolutely certain here that a skylight and a UV filter are EXACTLY the same?
Anyone know for certain here?

yes like i said i shoot with film a SKYLIGHT A1 or B1 ARE FOR FILM.....if u use them with your digital camera everything will have a PINK CAST

however a UV HAZE is only cuts down on uv haze and does no color correction so that can be used on your digital camera...and will not ulter the images color....

once again_brando_

fotodude

Nikon D70

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

02/25/2005 06:41:31 PM · #13

Originally posted by Natator:

That ties in exactly with what I had read fotodude, especially that the UV and Skylight are not one in the same.

ahhh u where reading ok ignor the above post

LEONJR

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro

02/25/2005 06:44:05 PM · #14

whats a star filter?

faidoi

Pentax K10D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

02/25/2005 06:46:48 PM · #15

Originally posted by LEONJR:

whats a star filter?

Makes highlights or lighting source appear to be a star. Think those toothpaste ads when they smile you see a star highlighting their teeth.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

02/25/2005 06:47:07 PM · #16

Skylight filters have a pink cast to them to help cut back on blue light present when shooting images with a lot of sky or snow or in mid day sunlit shots. They also cut back on U/V light.

U/V, U/V Haze or Haze filters cut direct and reflected U/V light, but have no warming color cast.

zeuszen

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

02/25/2005 06:48:07 PM · #17

Originally posted by coolhar:

...normal UV filters are so mild, or weak, that you can see very little difference in your shots. You can buy them in varying degrees of strength. If you really want the haze-cutting benefit you have to get something stronger than the basic "protector".

The UV-filtering ability of these filters are widely neglected, IMHO. If you have ever taken a shot without one from a mountain down onto a canopy of cedar trees on a clear day and, preferably, in the morning with a lil moisture in the air, you'll notice a bright yellow cast on the trees. Try the same shot with a good UV filter: presto!

Message edited by author 2005-02-25 18:49:21.

Bran-O-Rama

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

02/25/2005 06:55:02 PM · #18

Originally posted by zeuszen:

Can you post sample images from your previous example?

02/25/2005 06:57:08 PM · #19

Originally posted by LEONJR:

whats a star filter?

For a good list of FX filters and what they do go here, here, here or here.

These are just a small sample of what is out there. You can make your own FX filters with a little imagination and effort.