Circular Polariser Filter

Circular Polariser

Micro 4/3rds lenses are quite compact and therefore tend to have small filter thread sizes.  This is a huge benefit when buying filters, as the cost is generally cheaper the smaller they are.  There is one useful filter I would recommend having in your kit bag for your most frequently used lens and that’s a circular polariser.

If you've ever been photographing through a window, into water or a non metallic reflective object you may have wondered how to reduce the unwanted reflections that occur.  A circular polariser filter is the answer.  The filter is attached to the front of your lens and by simply rotating it you’ll be able see the reflections start to disappear. You may sometimes find it’s more effective if you stand diagonally to the glass or object you're shooting.  When the desired effect is achieved you take the picture.  It’s that simple.

A circular polariser can also be used to increase the colour saturation of a scene in sunny conditions and also to darken blue skies.  This can however be done in post processing unlike reflections, which would be almost impossible to get rid of convincingly using editing software. 

The two photos below demonstrates the effect of using a circular polariser.

without circular polariser

with circular polariser

As you can see the reflections have been greatly reduced.