M240 EVF & Polarizing filter

[rsolomon]

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Does anyone have experience using a polarizing filter with M240 and EVF-2 ? Are you getting the effect you want?  i'm now looking into getting an EVF-2 and figuring out what type of polarizing filter will yield expected "polarized" results . i shoot both urban/street and landscape.

 

Considering the EVF-2 is displaying  off the sensor i have a few questions i hope someone can answer/confirm. 

 

Using the EVF-2 i would see the result of the filter (since its reading off the sensor) ?

 

Being mirrorless, a linear polarizer filter yields the same results as a circular polarizer, therefore there is no advantage to a circular polarizer with this set-up

 

thanks all 

[ramarren]

A polarizing filter will net the effect on the image regardless of whether that effect is easily visible in the EVF. The reason you might not see the effect so easily in the viewfinder is due to the nature of the viewfinder's display mechanics: the viewfinder displays a heavily derezzed image view of the sensor's captured resolution and its resolution refresh rate, etc, all conspire against seeing what are ordinarily relatively subtle nuances to a scene applied by a polarizer. The best way to see what you're going to get with a polarizer, even with an optical SLR, is to look through it with your eyes the same way the lens looks through it, rotate it until you get the effect you want, and then note the position of the filter that gets the effect. Fit it to the lens, rotate it to that orientation, and then make your photo. 

 

A 'circular' polarizer is essentially a linear polarizer with a quarter wave plate sandwiched behind it so that the incoming light is filtered as you want it to be and then the residual depolarized so as not to produce inaccurate focus and exposure on cameras that use 'light pipes' (prisms, supplementary mirror systems, etc) to put the light to metering and auto focus sensors. A high quality, efficient and well made circular polarizer produces exactly the same results as a high quality linear polarizer but often costs a bit more due to the additional complexity of its construction. That said, since most of the polarizer users of the past few decades have required circular polarizers, there are now more high quality circular polarizers on the market than there are linear polarizers of similar quality, which means you might find there's little difference in price between a circular and a linear polarizer that does the same job. Leica M cameras don't need the circular polarizer's complexity, but I'd say that in the end you should just look for a high quality, multicoated polarizer that does the job and not worry too much about linear or circular type. 

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[spydrxx]

As you are probably aware, the EVF-2 is made by Olympus but rebranded for Leica. I occasionally use mine with a polarizer on my Olympus mirrorless body. The polarizing effect is clearly seen when used on the camera, either thru the EVF or rear screen. I can't speak to whether the metering effect will be different between a linear or circular polarizer on the M240 body; it isn't on my camera, but it is dependent on how the metering occurs in the body's circuitry, and the use of lenses piping the light to the sensor. You manual might have commentary on the preferred type of polarizer to use, although I tend to agree with Ramarren above, the cost differential is negligible, and for years the proper choice on modern bodies has been the circular version.

[jdlaing]

As you are probably aware, the EVF-2 is made by Olympus but rebranded for Leica. I occasionally use mine with a polarizer on my Olympus mirrorless body. The polarizing effect is clearly seen when used on the camera, either thru the EVF or rear screen. I can't speak to whether the metering effect will be different between a linear or circular polarizer on the M240 body; it isn't on my camera, but it is dependent on how the metering occurs in the body's circuitry, and the use of lenses piping the light to the sensor. You manual might have commentary on the preferred type of polarizer to use, although I tend to agree with Ramarren above, the cost differential is negligible, and for years the proper choice on modern bodies has been the circular version.

Actually it's made by Epson.

[brill64]

i can see the the effect of rotating a polariser on the rear monitor so that should in principle transfer to the evf.?

[ramarren]

i can see the the effect of rotating a polariser on the rear monitor so that should in principle transfer to the evf.?

 

 

In general, it does. But sometimes the effect is too subtle for either LCD or EVF to display meaningfully. 

[jaapv]

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As you are probably aware, the EVF-2 is made by Olympus but rebranded for Leica. I occasionally use mine with a polarizer on my Olympus mirrorless body. The polarizing effect is clearly seen when used on the camera, either thru the EVF or rear screen. I can't speak to whether the metering effect will be different between a linear or circular polarizer on the M240 body; it isn't on my camera, but it is dependent on how the metering occurs in the body's circuitry, and the use of lenses piping the light to the sensor. You manual might have commentary on the preferred type of polarizer to use, although I tend to agree with Ramarren above, the cost differential is negligible, and for years the proper choice on modern bodies has been the circular version.

Actually the discussion about the  M metering by a linear polarizer has been discussed on this forum. Leica states that a linear polarizing filter does not influence metering, one of our members set up an experiment and claims a difference of about a quarter EV value caused by the light being reflected off the shutter curtain.

In advanced mode there cannot be any difference.

[Exodies]

Live view with or without the EVF has so much lag that one has to rotate the polariser extremely slowly. Only usable for subjects which are going to stick around for minutes.

[jaapv]

Well, as a polarizing filter is mainly used for landscape photography that should not be a problem. The sun, sky and tree leaves are not going anywhere in a hurry.

With a frame rate of (IIRC) 60 fps, I think minutes is a bit of a hyperbole. In fact, I think one would be hard pressed to create judder by turning a filter.

[Exodies]

It's not judder, it's waiting for the new angle of polarisation to show up in the display. And you're right, minutes is an exaggeration

 

ETA I use a polariser to improve the blue in skies when shooting whatever looks amazing while out for a walk.

Edited August 14, 2016 by Exodies

[jaapv]

Simple solution - Use the M polarizer. It looks weird, but works perfectly

[darylgo]

My few trials of a linear polarizer on a camera that requires circular shows no difference. Casual observation, but it makes me wonder if the circular requirement solves a very infrequent issue.

[pop]

My few trials of a linear polarizer on a camera that requires circular shows no difference. Casual observation, but it makes me wonder if the circular requirement solves a very infrequent issue.

The circular polarizer solves the issue that in some cameras the light meter will not work with polarized light. It's a common affliction of SLRs with TTL metering. Hence, you need a circular one for SLRs and straight ones for cameras without mirrors, although the circular ones will work with these cameras as well.

[edwardkaraa]

In my unscientific experience, I have found linear polarizers to be better than circular ones on reducing reflections.

[cirke]

The M polarizer is perfect but doesn't work on 50 Noctilux or 21 and 24 summilux

[menos I M6]

I use the M polarizer on lenses up to E49 (you have to buy the E49 adapter separately as it is not included in the standard polarizer kit).

 

It is a great polarizer and an essential piece of kit on traditional Leica bodies without live view.

 

For any other purposes I prefer B+W CPL polarizers, as they cut down substantially on awkwardness, fiddling to set up and especially bulk and weight in a bag.

Especially now with live view these compact polarizers are very easy and quick to use without the need to see the effect through the optical finder.

 

Use a film Leica or digital without Live view - get the Leica Universal Polarizer

Use a Leica with live view only when shooting with a polarizer - get the best CPL, that fits best your lens selection and use step up rings between the smaller lenses and the CPL

 

(check carefully, some Leica lenses are best used with a step up ring or glass less filter ring between lens and LUP, as the set screw to fix the contraption on the adapter-ring would mar the telescope lens hood)

[Echo63]

I have an old Hoya Linear Polariser - i don't have the EVF but the effect can be seen easily on the rear LCD as the polariser is rotated.
 

[sblutter]

If you play with a polarizing filter off camera, you'll find they reduce reflections relative to the source of light causing them consistently.

 

Make a pencil mark on the filter edge that's aimed at the source giving the greatest reduction.  Try it in different situations off camera.  It can be tricky but you can learn to recognize how various sources of light change the effect.

 

When you're satisfied with the efficacy of the 'calibration', paint a dot or file a notch on the edge.  You should get good results every time. 

 

Manufacturers used to do this prior to shipping

[Echo63]

If you play with a polarizing filter off camera, you'll find they reduce reflections relative to the source of light causing them consistently.

 

Make a pencil mark on the filter edge that's aimed at the source giving the greatest reduction. Try it in different situations off camera. It can be tricky but you can learn to recognize how various sources of light change the effect.

 

When you're satisfied with the efficacy of the 'calibration', paint a dot or file a notch on the edge. You should get good results every time.

 

Manufacturers used to do this prior to shipping

Still do - all of my Hoya's have an engraved mark

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[brill64]

The M polarizer is perfect but doesn't work on 50 Noctilux or 21 and 24 summilux

it's an expensive & heavy circular e58/60 polarizer for the noctilux or you can try to find a series 7 polarizer for the 24, which works really well. I'm not sure about the 21. although polarized light may sometimes appear uneven across the field because of the extreme wide angle.