nikon-digest wrote: >Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 17:21:17 +0530 >From: "Amarendra N Kolipakam" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: Blue Skies and filter stacking [v04.n345/3] >Message: 3 > >Hi! Nikoners, >Firstly, thanks to Andrew for this wonderful list. >Secondly, kudos to Alexander for moving us into the 'Next Generation' > >Now, the main subject of the post: >I was shooting some landscapes with my N70 + 35-80 4-5.6 AF-D setup a >while ago >and saw that the whole picture exposed perfectly, but the skies got washed >out. >The lens already had a 1A Quantaray filter on it. > >After some thought, I went and got a Marumi UV filter, and used it instead of >the 1A. The skies are still washed out. I also took some shots with the UV >filter stacked on top of the 1A. Still, the skies are not as good as I want >them. >So, Following are based upon my knowledge and experience - other smay have even more info: ># Which is better? 1A or UV? The 1A filter (Skylight) blocks UV light, reduces haze, and reduces the bluish cast in open shade or distant landscapes. This filter has a pale salmon color coating to warm the scene by countering the excess blue light of a bright, sunny sky. Nikon sells this filter as L1BC in 52, 62, 72 mm sizes. May enhance the sky but nor a lot. The Haze filter simply blocks UV light visible to the naked eye. UV light is intense at high altitudes, around snow and water, and even under overcast conditions. Film is sensitive to this light and it creates a cold, bluish cast to the scene. This filter will improve a sky but not eliminate the wash out. Nikon sells these filters as L37C in 52, 62, 72 mm sizes. Other sizes may be available but I am not sure. B&H does sell them. To reduce the washed out blue sky, a polarizing filter may be required. This filter will reduce some haze, reduce polarized light, and reduce reflections. The result is a more intense contrast and more color stauration of the blue sky. But this effect can appear extreme and unnatural if overdone. Nikon also sells very thin polarizing filters to reduce vigenetting on wide angle lenses. ># Can they be stacked? Yes, but not recommended or desirable. The more glass, the more loss. ># Is a polarizer the only answer? Yes. ># Does the AF and metering system of N70 work well only with a circular >polarizer? Nikon only recommends a circular. Some have reported success with a linear. ># I don't see filters made by Nikon on their websites or at B&H. Does Nikon >recommend any filters? See above - they make very nice filters - thin and multi-coated. ># Is the lens I use not good enough to produce super blue skies? Not familiar but the lens is probably not the problem. ># Is it more difficult to get blue skies near the equator than away from >it (due >to the angle of sunrays etc) ? Don't know. > >[ I know, this last one seems farfetched to myself, but after the arcane >information that keeps popping up on this list of sages, you never know :) ] > >Thanks for your help, >Regards, >Amar.
