It is "common knowledge" that one should use circular polarisers in AF
cameras. This would be necessary for good functioning of both AF and
metering. Although I understand why this is so in theory, my practical
experiences are different. I own an F-801 (N-8008, non-S) with 24, 50, 85
and 180 mm AF (non-D) Nikkors. I also own 52, 62 and 72 mm Nikon
polarisers, of which only the 62 (for use with the 85/1.8 lens) is
circular. I have made maybe 2000 slides (mostly Velvia) with the LINEAR
polarisers (mostly on the 24 mm), and I haven't had a _single_ slide out
of focus or badly metered, attributable to the use of the linear
polariser. Yes, I am SURE it is a linear one. YES, I am quite picky
about sharpness and exposure.
So, my idea is that the F-801 is not very "sensitive" to polarised light
and that AF or metering work perfectly with linear polarisers. Well I
just have one thought: none of my lenses rotates the filter when
focussing, so the chance that the direction of the polarised light and
that of the "wrong" sense of the AF module would be exactly parallel,
would be almost nonexistent.
Any expert to shed more light on this?
I would greatly appreciate other photographer's experiences with the use
of linear PL's on AF camera's, both good and bad ones. If some camera's
work equally good with both (like my F-801), why would one buy the
expensive linear ones? I, for one, am not sure whether my next camera
would be an F-801S (great camera) or another one (F90X?) if I had to
upgrade my PL's. The F90X might turn out VERY expensive that way.
If I get adequate responses, I will post a summary to the list.
Best wishes,
Kris from Belgium.
