Polariser

Polariser Basics

A polariser filter allows light from certain angles to pass through the filter while simultaneously rejecting light from other angles. The resulting effect that polarisers have on photography is almost magical. Bright glaring reflections on water magically disappear. Foliage becomes deep and rich. Haze evaporates from the sky leaving clouds silhouetted against dramatic blue skies.

Popular Uses

© KEN KAMINESKY

  • Darkening the sky to a richer blue color.
  • Increasing contrast between sky and clouds.
  • Removing specular highlights from foliage.
  • Shooting through windows.
  • Removing reflections from the surface of water.

Types of Polarisers

Polarisers are available in both circular and linear. This refers to the polarization pattern of the light, not the shape of the filter. It is essential that photographers using digital cameras and cameras with autofocus choose a circular polarizer. For a more comprehensive discussion on the polarization of light, check out the wikipedia page here.

Polarisers by Formatt-Hitech

ULTRASLIM POLARIZER

SUPERSLIM POLARIZER

Formatt-Hitech’s offers two primary ranges of circular polarizers, the Firecrest Circular Polarisers which are built in circular screw-in sizes, and the rectangular Circular Polariser for cinema. Screw in circular polarizers are available in SuperSlim and UltraSlim rings.

UltraSlim rings lack additional threads for stacking additional filters, but they are incredibly thin at just 5.5mm.

SuperSlim rings are 7.5mm thin and feature threads on the front to allow stacking of additional filters.

Formatt-Hitech Quality

The quality of Formatt-Hitech’s polariser filters are exquisite. A reflection reducing coating is especially important when using polarisers as often the polarizer is employed to remove reflections that are bearing down directly on the barrel of the lens. For this reason, Formatt-Hitech offers our revolutionary Firecrest anti-reflective coating for our polarizing filters. Firecrest coating protects against UV contamination, plus it reduces reflections, increases scratch resistance, and increases contrast and acuity.