Polarizing Filter on Dashcams

[Mtz]

Maybe if using some camera which have brightness adjustment to increase it more and then to add that filter. With cameras which don't have this setting I don't think is OK.
Also I am thinking if a CPL is really good the manufacturers would already use it.

enjoy,
Mtz

 

[Mitch]

Have you tried it for night capturing?

I think for night video it will not make any difference. I may be wrong though.

Now where can I get these in Singapore... Hmm.

Don't you have 3D movie theaters with free disposable 3D glasses in Singapore?

The theaters loan "Dolby-Certified" high quality 3D glasses to movie patrons. They collect back the 3D glasses after the show. I spotted Sony's version available in the retail shop which looks similar to those use in the theatres... but I'm not suggesting to purchase.

 

[Nik]

Have you tried it for night capturing?

I think for night video it will not make any difference. I may be wrong though.

Now where can I get these in Singapore... Hmm.

Don't you have 3D movie theaters with free disposable 3D glasses in Singapore?

The theaters loan "Dolby-Certified" high quality 3D glasses to movie patrons. They collect back the 3D glasses after the show. I spotted Sony's version available in the retail shop which looks similar to those use in the theatres... but I'm not suggesting to purchase.

I don't watch a lot of 3d shows, but when 3D just started in Singapore, I watched Avatar in Golden Village, they issue those big bulky and heavy glasses. But when I watch Amazing Spiderman in Cathay Imax, they issue those cheap disposable ones which is more comfortable and the quality of 3D is much better.

 

[Al Drake]

I just ordered the LUKAS LK-7900 ACE that comes with a CPL so I can let you know. It's supposed to be delivered by the 26th to the 29th. Very quick compared to the ITB 100-HD SP and it might even beat the DVR 207 that I order quite some time ago. I would like to do something about the reflections I am getting at the bottom from the top of my dash board and my hood. I can even see the screen of my RD which I can't understand as it's image is mirrored and protrudes further than the DC.

I can even see the stereo which should also be out of sight. You can barely see it at the top of this capture but it is below everything just above the ash tray.

Strange..........

Cool, wow the Lukas is a very expensive cam.

But dude, you need to stop writing with abbreviations. :lol:
I'm guessing CPL means Camera Polarized Lens. RD is radio and DC is Dashcam?

As for the mirrored image, it's normal because It's a reflection.

Circular polarizer, Radar Detector, Dash Cam. Sorry. I am lucky LEO doesn't see everything.

 

[Swordfish]

Polarizers work best when the sun is on either side of the lens. They're useless at night and may lead to noise because the camera will choose a higher ISO. Better to use a removable polarizer.

 

[Tommy]

Or:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xpZLeUyxaE

Ignore subtitles (in Romanian).

Before/After photos are at the very end.

 

[Al Drake]

Maybe if using some camera which have brightness adjustment to increase it more and then to add that filter. With cameras which don't have this setting I don't think is OK.
Also I am thinking if a CPL is really good the manufacturers would already use it.

enjoy,
Mtz

Good quality CPL are not inexpensive. This is why it is an option and not free. Not including them is a way to cut costs like not even including a video out cable or other extras.

 

[Sabe]

I tested cheap (3d glasses) LPL filter but not with good result.
They are so easy to scratch, and it is very difficult to turn it to right angle.
Next i will try CPL filter made of glass, lets see in a week what will happen.
I guess that maybe very light polarized sunglasses would work better in a sunny day.

 

[Al Drake]

I tested cheap (3d glasses) LPL filter but not with good result.
They are so easy to scratch, and it is very difficult to turn it to right angle.
Next i will try CPL filter made of glass, lets see in a week what will happen.
I guess that maybe very light polarized sunglasses would work better in a sunny day.

I have several that have lasted me a decade because I took care to treat them right. I like the results I get and have no complaints what so ever. If you can spend a bit and maybe get a B&W you won't be sorry. I've tried the cheaper ones and they are just not worth throwing away money on.

 

[Sabe]

I've tried the cheaper ones and they are just not worth throwing away money on.

That is correct.
Maybe only thing where they come in handy is getting experience how to make a filter, and when you are ready to move more expensive filter material you already know what you are doing. And as you said,very important part of learning is to learn how to take good care of them.

 

[Al Drake]

I've tried the cheaper ones and they are just not worth throwing away money on.

That is correct.
Maybe only thing where they come in handy is getting experience how to make a filter, and when you are ready to move more expensive filter material you already know what you are doing. And as you said,very important part of learning is to learn how to take good care of them.

What I really find useful is knowing that if you purchase a step-up ring and used a larger filter you completely eliminate any vignetting and find it easier to locate a quality CPL. The better ones operate better with a nice ring with marking on the side to use for reference when adjusting.

 

[niko]

Sorry, I did not read all comments here, maybe somebody has already mentioned a DIY using sunglasses like this russian guy does tests:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVjfNrj ... ata_player

Of course using sunlgasses as substitution to the factory made special polarzed lens its not solution, but its just interesting quick DIY if mabe somobody want to try out just for fun how polarization filter works on his das cam. To get best result, you need to test many sunglasses, because they all have different level of polarization. So, if you have some polarized sunglasses at home, its fun to test.

Also, as much as I know, this guy was one of the first who tried 15Mbps bitrate hacked Blackvue firmware (check his other videos on youtube ).

 

[Al Drake]

Sorry, I did not read all comments here, maybe somebody has already mentioned a DIY using sunglasses like this russian guy does tests:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVjfNrj ... ata_player

Of course using sunlgasses as substitution to the factory made special polarzed lens its not solution, but its just interesting quick DIY if mabe somobody want to try out just for fun how polarization filter works on his das cam. To get best result, you need to test many sunglasses, because they all have different level of polarization. So, if you have some polarized sunglasses at home, its fun to test.

Also, as much as I know, this guy was one of the first who tried 15Mbps bitrate hacked Blackvue firmware (check his other videos on youtube ).

What would have been more interesting would be trying the effect where is was intended. The sky and clouds would have shown a more impressive display. It helps if you know how the CPL works which are two layers of filter material rotating to block light. I would suggest YouTube viewing where there are several interesting clips.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml9ORHZHwt8

I have seen my CPL block reflecting light cast onto a window of another car enabling me to see the occupants. This can be done by carefully rotating a ring while watching and "tuning" to the most desirable condition. Rather hard to do while driving so I wait at a stop light when the time and light are extreme for this purpose. Then I leave that adjustment and continue on with my drive. Some filters have a dot mark on the side for alignment so with practice you can get very close to where you want to be. It helps if you have used filters in the past on conventional and digital camera and know what you can achieve so you learn not to give up as you can miss the full potential. I have also used color enhancement filters for effecting on foliage and ocean settings. Blocking out reflected light will enable you to see to the bottom of a body of water otherwise seeing nothing but reflected rays. Helpful when you drive off a bridge and need to maneuver around those submarines.

 

[ydc]

Not sure if it's of any use, but I remember see this video that talked about fixing lenses and filters to smartphones and small cameras.

There's a polarizer mentioned in the video which is probably a bit too cheap for quality, but I was thinking the magnetic mounts and fixings could be modded. :|

 

[jokiin]

but I was thinking the magnetic mounts and fixings could be modded. :|

we're doing tooling for new models at the moment and as this comes up a bit lately have been wondering if it's worth designing with this in mind so a filter could easily be added, I don't think I'd look at including a filter but just thinking if it's worth accommodating one for a user added option

 

[Al Drake]

Not sure if it's of any use, but I remember see this video that talked about fixing lenses and filters to smartphones and small cameras.

There's a polarizer mentioned in the video which is probably a bit too cheap for quality, but I was thinking the magnetic mounts and fixings could be modded. :|

Mods are only needed when there are no threads to attach to. Before threads were used on cameras there were frame mounted filters such as this newer one:

http://www.adorama.com/LTP12.html?gclid ... 4AodBDUAJw

I think it's a far better idea to have a dash cam with threads than to try to reinvent the wheel.

 

[Al Drake]

but I was thinking the magnetic mounts and fixings could be modded. :|

we're doing tooling for new models at the moment and as this comes up a bit lately have been wondering if it's worth designing with this in mind so a filter could easily be added, I don't think I'd look at including a filter but just thinking if it's worth accommodating one for a user added option

Personally I think it's worth adding threads and get ahead of the game early. Filters are an effective way to enhance a video that is usually done in post processing. Something that a dash camera user is not willing to do. I can't wait until the fall here in New England and see what how a ride in the country turns out. I can't wait to bring one with me when I do to Jamaica and ride the Blue Mountain roads. I used to hold a video camera when now I have the HD Dash Camera mounted. The waterfalls I expect will look rather nice along with the extreme lighting storms on distant hill tops.

 

[Sabe]

That was interesting, i tested polarized sunglasses on two identical gs1000 camera at the same time so they were exactly at the same position side by side.
Result was very poor with sunglasses on, no matter how i set ev value it was always wrong, if sky was ok then road was too dark, and if road was ok then sky is burned out.
It is amazing how good camera actually is without any filter.
Next week some time i will have my cpl filter, sunglasses i will forget from now on.

Left image below is without any filter and right is with sunglasses.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TWQQ ... mage01.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DbXN ... mage02.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SltX ... Image5.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9Pgw ... Image6.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nebF ... Image7.jpg

 

[Al Drake]

That was interesting, i tested polarized sunglasses on two identical gs1000 camera at the same time so they were exactly at the same position side by side.
Result was very poor with sunglasses on, no matter how i set ev value it was always wrong, if sky was ok then road was too dark, and if road was ok then sky is burned out.
It is amazing how good camera actually is without any filter.
Next week some time i will have my cpl filter, sunglasses i will forget from now on.

Left image below is without any filter and right is with sunglasses.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TWQQ ... mage01.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DbXN ... mage02.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SltX ... Image5.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9Pgw ... Image6.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nebF ... Image7.jpg

Well if you decide to go with sunglasses after all at least your camera will look cool.
If you have two pairs of sunglasses try holding them together and rotating one to see the effect of blocking light.

Sunglasses can give very different results even when wearing them. I have a pair of Rayban that are just to dark for my comfort. A CPL will have the adjustable ring which can make all the difference. But again, like I have indicated in many other posts, it's important not only to have a quality filter but a large one that will but the image more in the middle where the filter and lens have better quality. Many of the cheaper filters have roll off towards the edge of the glass and in many cases plastic which show poor quality or even blur.

 

[Sabe]

I did some googling and this got in to my eye.
Just out of interest i ordered one, if nothing else this item has good factory made (metal?) rings.
Of course, price is low so i keep my expectations low too.
http://dx.com/p/external-clip-0n-polari ... ack-163738