Can I use a circular polarizer on my lens instead of a UV filter?

Question

I have a canon digital rebel and want to improve my photos. Will a circular polarizer filter help bring out the colors in my photographs? Currently I'm using a UV filter (mostly to portect my lens), can I replace it with the circular polarizer and use this filter indefinitely? thanks.

Answer 1

Generally, yes. The polarizer filter will absorb some light, so you might want to go back to the UV filter in low-light situations. I really like the effect polarizers have on color in outdoor photographs.

Answer 2

Sure, it's fine. Keep in mind: -- if it's a thick polarizing filter, at 10mm it may obstruct the corners of the frame -- so use a thin one -- polarizers work darkening blue skies at specific angles from the sun, and so with a very wide-angle lens the amount of darkening will not be consistent across the entire frame You'll find a lot of debate on this, but I would advise you NOT to put or keep a UV filter on your lens for "protection." It degrades the image with extra glass, doesn't have any effect as a "filter" (digital sensors are not sensitive to UV like film was), and is entirely worthless. And don't keep the polarizer on all the time either -- put it on when you want the effect it gives, take it off when you don't. Peace.

Answer 3

The only problem I see with that is with a polarizing filter you loose 1-1.5 stop of light.