BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Camera Filters

Photography Question 

Sue Cantan
 

Polarizing Filter - Light Loss?


The information I have on polarizing filters says that as they absorb light, you need to change the f/stop to compensate for that. In automatic modes, does the camera know there's a filter and do the compensation, or do you need to do it manually?
Thanks


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March 21, 2008

 

Jon Close
  SLRs and DSLRs use through-the-lens metering for their auto, semi-auto, and manual modes. The light loss from the polarizer is taken into account automatically. If you are using a separate meter and setting exposure manually, that meter does not see the reduced light through the polarizer so you have to adjust the exposure given by the meter.


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March 21, 2008

 

Sue Cantan
  Thanks Jon, that makes sense! I'm starting to use some of the modes other than auto on my D50, but am not using a separate meter at this point.


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March 21, 2008

 

W.
 
With spotmetering mode there is no need for separate meters.


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March 21, 2008

 
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