I intend to get an 82mm circular polarizer for use on both my 300 and my 45. Will an ordinary filter work on the 45 at f11 without vignetting? Or should I get a special wide angle filter (expensive)?

-- Tom Goodrick (tgoodrick@earthlink.net), October 31, 1999

Answers

Tom, the 45 doesn't need a low profile filter. The regular ones don't vignet at any f-stop. You might consider getting a linear vs circular though and save some money. SR

-- Steve Rasmussen (srasmuss@flash.net), October 31, 1999.

Thanks. That wide angle polarizer was $300 from B&H! I will get a circular polarizer, however. I shoot using the AE on the II quite often. I think a linear would screw it up. I saw that with my Nikons. The linear-polarized light shines with one intensity on the meter and another on the film.

-- Tom Goodrick (tgoodrick@earthlink.net), November 01, 1999.

Pentax in Colorado has stated categorically that neither the P67 nor P67II's AE prism requires a circular polarizer. If buying a polarizer up in the B+W price range it won't matter which you buy since the circular version doesn't cost that much more.

-- Garrett Adams (gadams@jps.net), November 02, 1999.

This comes a bit late, but what the hey...

What I understand is that a linear pola usually screws up is the AF system, rather than the metering system. It does however screw up some metering systems ... it apparantly depends on the positioning or configuration of the light reading cell. I think someone needs to elaborate for me!

In any case, LPs actually give stronger polarization than CPs, which have a 1/4 wave plate .

-- kelvin (kelvinlee@pacific.net.sg), August 24, 2000.

>>... it apparantly depends on the positioning or configuration of the light reading cell. I think someone needs to elaborate for me!<<

On SLR cameras, like the old Canon F1 or Leicaflex SL, the light reading cell is located in the bottom of the mirror box. Light reached it by passing through the semi-transparent mirror where it was directed downward. Most meters are positioned above the mirror and often residing in the prism and don't require a CP (unless AF as already mentioned).

-- Garrett Adams (gadams@jps.net), August 25, 2000.