window glare

[birdzeye]

Hi,
Does anyone know of a way to reduce window glare when pointing an x10 camera through a window? I know there are filters for SLR cameras, but they are way too big for an x10 wireless. Any suggestions, besides putting the camera outside?

[Charles Sullivan]

Hi,
Does anyone know of a way to reduce window glare when pointing an x10 camera through a window? I know there are filters for SLR cameras, but they are way too big for an x10 wireless. Any suggestions, besides putting the camera outside?

What you want is a polarizing filter.    A material known as "Polaroid" (not to be confused with photographic film for Polaroid cameras) has a polarizing layer on a thin plastic film base.   You could cut it to size with scissors and rig some way of mounting it over your X10 camera lens.   You have to be able to rotate it for minimum glare so it can't be glued to the lens assembly.  Perhaps you could put it between the lens and the clear plastic weatherproof lens cover supplied with the camera.

[birdzeye]

What you want is a polarizing filter.    A material known as "Polaroid" (not to be confused with photographic film for Polaroid cameras) has a polarizing layer on a thin plastic film base.   You could cut it to size with scissors and rig some way of mounting it over your X10 camera lens.   You have to be able to rotate it for minimum glare so it can't be glued to the lens assembly.  Perhaps you could put it between the lens and the clear plastic weatherproof lens cover supplied with the camera.

Charles Sullivan,

Thanks! Is it expensive? Where can I get some?

[Charles Sullivan]

What you want is a polarizing filter.    A material known as "Polaroid" (not to be confused with photographic film for Polaroid cameras) has a polarizing layer on a thin plastic film base.   You could cut it to size with scissors and rig some way of mounting it over your X10 camera lens.   You have to be able to rotate it for minimum glare so it can't be glued to the lens assembly.  Perhaps you could put it between the lens and the clear plastic weatherproof lens cover supplied with the camera.

Charles Sullivan,

Thanks! Is it expensive? Where can I get some?

You only need a little piece but generally have to buy a lot more than you need.

A Google search for "polarizing film" yielded among many other hits this article which is worth a read (and a weep):
  http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=E24422EF-E7F2-99DF-305A84EAD6C54111
Note that you want "linear polarization".

Are there any of the old 3-D movies playing in your area?  The cardboard-frame glasses they hand out have polarizing film for lenses.
This place sells them cheap enough, but there's a minimum order quantity + shipping.
  http://store.rainbowsymphonystore.com/pol3dglas.html

BTW, one thing to consider is that these polarizing films reduce the light transmission - 38% transmission seems to be common.

[Charles Sullivan]

Although I don't claim to understand all the various technologies involved in LCD flat panel displays, at least some of them have a polarizing filter.  It occurs to me that if you could scrounge a non-functional LCD monitor or other LCD flat panel display you could disassemble it and use the polarizing filter film from it.