B+W F-Pro S03 E

Pure colors and glare-free surfaces. Bright white clouds against a deep blue sky or vibrant autumn colors are no coincidence. Polarizing filters, commonly known as polarizers, enhance the purity of colors and increase color saturation. Polarizers are among the most important filters in both analog and digital photography. They are rotatable in their mount, allowing the user to visibly adjust the effect in the viewfinder or on the display. The extension factor is two to three stops. Maximum effectiveness is achieved in landscape photography at an angle of 90° to the sun. For a uniform effect in the image, it is advisable not to use a focal length less than 35 or 28 mm in full-frame format due to the uneven polarization of daylight. Generally, with a properly oriented polarizer, reflections can ideally be completely suppressed. "Ideally" means that the angles of illumination and shooting are approximately equal and correspond to the angle of maximum polarization, typically between 30° and 40°. The second benefit of polarizers is the reduction of reflections on non-metallic surfaces (water, shop windows, paint). Objects behind these surfaces, including text behind reflective paint, become visible again. A fascinating image enhancement without post-processing. B+W polarizing filters are available in various versions as both linear and circular polarizers. Both have identical effects but cater to different measurement systems in cameras.