Polarizer!! Round or Square?

[russellsnr]

Hi, I have just watched a short clip online about the square polarizer and the guy stated that he liked the square better than round as you only need the adaptor for the lens rather than a poloarizer for each lens.
Anyone here that has used both would care to give there opinion on the good and against not just on the costs of buying a round one for each lens or the square plus adaptors but also on performance before I dive in for a new one?
Many Thanks
Russ

 

[Eth]

I've had both and I found the circular easier, especially if you're going to take any shot with an ND grad involved as well. The ND grad will want to be upright but you can vary the effect of the circular by it being a little off angle.

 

[DorsetDude]

Are the square ones circular or linear polarisers?

The screw on polarisers for lenses are generally circular polarisers and are made up of 2 glass surfaces. You rotate the front glass "bit" to achieve the best polarisation for your situation.

I cant imagine the square ones having this ability but I could be wrong.

Also, with the circular ones you could buy one that fits your widest lens and then get adpater rings to step it down to fit your other lenses.

My 2p.

 

[HoppyUK]

A polarising filter is only one piece of glass. Circular or linear does not refer to the physical shape, circular means there is a 'circularising' layer in the filter sandwich which prevents the polarising effect upsetting the camera's AF and metering systems.

Usually, you would get a square one if you use a square filter system, but otherwise a round screw-in one makes more sense. Get one to fit your biggest lens, and then stepping rings for smaller sizes. But polarisers tend to be less useful on telephotos so bear that in mind.

 

[russellsnr]

OK, thanks for the replies. It is the Lee system I have just started to use.
Russ