Vortex Radar
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2014
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- Location
- Seattle, Washington
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So when doing dashcam reviews, I generally like to run CPL's day to day, but for testing and reviews I normally like to remove the polarizers to maximize video quality for license plate zoom-ins and whatnot. They also block some light so they make night time video look worse, forcing the dashcam to boost their exposure and raise the noise level. I also expect slower shutter speeds even during the daytime, especially in the shade (though I haven't done a direct head to head to confirm, not to mention this would likely vary between dashcams) and so all this would affect how much motion blur you'll get with passing cars and how well you can freeze frame and clearly read plates.
That said, I wonder how common it is to run polarizers and if it would make sense to review dashcams with them. I've got some nighttime footage saved running with a CPL, but I wonder if it'd make sense go out and get some footage without it too for the sake of the review. I think it'd make sense, but I think it's starting to get complicated collecting test clips with and without a CPL, with HDR on and off, on super dark roads and on well lit roads, and then wanting to go over all that footage and do a clear comparison on how things look in different conditions.
The easiest thing to do is to park in a parking lot and get footage with and without the CPL, with HDR on and off, and look at the differences that way. I'd rather test and compare while moving, but that's harder to do directly since things will always look a little different from one drive to another.
So anyways, I wanted to hear your thoughts regarding using polarizers for dashcam tests and reviews, especially at night.
That said, I wonder how common it is to run polarizers and if it would make sense to review dashcams with them. I've got some nighttime footage saved running with a CPL, but I wonder if it'd make sense go out and get some footage without it too for the sake of the review. I think it'd make sense, but I think it's starting to get complicated collecting test clips with and without a CPL, with HDR on and off, on super dark roads and on well lit roads, and then wanting to go over all that footage and do a clear comparison on how things look in different conditions.
The easiest thing to do is to park in a parking lot and get footage with and without the CPL, with HDR on and off, and look at the differences that way. I'd rather test and compare while moving, but that's harder to do directly since things will always look a little different from one drive to another.
So anyways, I wanted to hear your thoughts regarding using polarizers for dashcam tests and reviews, especially at night.