Add DIY CPL (Polarizing Filter) to Reduce Windshield Dashboard Reflections

[jokiin]

Is it easier if I start a conversation with you - I am not sure which is the best method on the site to communicate directly with you?

click the users name, box pops up, click on 'start a conversation'

 

[PACMAN69]

click the users name, box pops up, click on 'start a conversation'

Thanks for the help - sorry am complete newbie here

 

[jokiin]

Thanks for the help - sorry am complete newbie here

no problem, this forum software is different to what most forums use, it's actually quite good though once you work out the differences

 

[Ipol]

@ PACMAN69 Dont worry about it I clicked on my own user name........ took me an hour to realise I was talking to myself

 

[jokiin]

@ PACMAN69 Dont worry about it I clicked on my own user name........ took me an hour to realise I was talking to myself

finally found someone that was on your wavelength eh?

 

[Ipol]

A very good morning to you Jokiin hope the dashcam project is progressing well........Ipol

 

[PACMAN69]

@ PACMAN69 Dont worry about it I clicked on my own user name........ took me an hour to realise I was talking to myself

I do a lot of that most days

 

[PACMAN69]

Thanks again for the advice - have started the conversation - finally!

 

[AllThumbs]

I'm newbie but have been a photographer for many years. I didn't read every post but maybe I can add something to this forum. I have noticed that some filters have been added to the lens. Due to the very wide angle for these cameras, don't forget to add to the diameter to accommodate the field of view.
A thought, use a piece of polarizing film, on the inside glass, just large enough to hide the camera. This would fill two purposes, hide the camera from the outside and filter any reflections. Actually a sun shade that attaches to the front of the lens.

I have added a section from an AU website with a fine selection of items that may help or tickle your brain.

http://www.adept.net.au/lenses/midwest/filter_mounts.shtml


Slip mount adapter
Slip-mounts allow standard filters to be used on lenses that do not have filter threads eg:
• Filters for varifocal, wide angle lenses are supplied without filter threads due to a wide angular field-of-view and a strongly convex first lens element
• Using oversized filters to prevent vignetting with adapting filters to all short-focal-length lenses. Step rings are used to adapt very large diameter filters to the slip mount.

* O.D. - Outside diameter. I.D. - Inside diameter
A
Lens Front O.D.
and mount I.D

B
Threads


C
Filter and Slip
Mount O.D.

D
Height

E
Clear
Aperture

A
Lens Front O.D.
and mount I.D

B
Threads

C
Filter and Slip
Mount O.D.

D
Height

E
C lear
Aperture
10.0 – 18.9mm M22.5 x 0.5 24.5mm 6.5mm 18.5mm 51.0 – 57.9mm M62 x 0.75 65.0mm 8mm 57.5mm
19.0 – 26.4mm M30.5 x 0.5 32.5mm 7mm 26.5mm 58.0 – 67.9mm M72 x 0.75 75.0mm 8mm 67.7mm
26.4 – 36.7mm M40.5 x 0.5 42.0mm 7mm 36mm 68.0 – 78.9mm M82 x 0.75 85.0mm 8mm 78.8mm
32.0 – 40.9mm M46 x 0.75 48.5mm 7mm 41.5mm 79.0 – 100.0mm M105 x 1.0 109.0mm 11mm 100mm
41.0 – 50.9mm M55 x 0.75 57.0mm 7mm 50.5mm
Slip mount adapter for 14mm diameter, Board camera lens
This filter adapter enables board cameras to capture where only regular cameras have gone before – into the ultraviolet, infrared and all points in between. Made of precision machined and anodized aluminum, it attaches securely to the lens with a single set screw making filters very easy to change as the subject or imaging requirements change.

All filters can be sized to fit this tiny adapter: bandpass, longpass, etc. Filters are held in place with a slotted, threaded retaining ring, and there is ample space inside the mount for multiple filters if required.

* All dimensions in mm * Diagram not to scale * Material - black anodized aluminium

C/CS-Mount filters
This threaded mount screws into any C- or CS-mount camera so the filter is positioned directly in front of the sensor. After installing the filter, the lens is then threaded into the camera and the filter sits immediately behind the lens.
Step-Up/Step-Down rings

Step-up rings allow large filters to be used on lenses with smaller diameter filter threads; the filter will be much larger than the diameter of the lens. Use of step-up rings is often mandatory and routine with shorter focal length or wide angle lenses in order to prevent vignetting.
Step-down adapters allow smaller filters to be used on lenses with filter threads of larger diameter. This may result in vignetting so their use is normally not recommended. Ring sizes cover 25.5 to 105mm and custom sizing is available. Please contact Adept for your size requirements.

Back to Top

 

[AllThumbs]

Now that I peeked your curiosity, look for a good photography shop or even EBAY once you narrow your ideas.
Look at snoods, can look like a reversed funnel. A lens hood or dedicated lens hood ,

Hood type can be flexible, ridgid (metal or plastic).

Or you an build a matte box and turn it so the top here is now the bottom.

Now go to work and have fun. The softer the material, the easier it is to run your face into.

 

[AllThumbs]

Now to address the subject "reduce windshield reflections". Two articles:

GOOD
http://www.ehow.com/how_12158610_remove-glare-windshield.html

BETTER
http://www.drbeasleys.com/blog/2011/08/18/remove-dashboard-reflection-on-windshield/

Shine ON

 

[jokiin]

http://www.drbeasleys.com/blog/2011/08/18/remove-dashboard-reflection-on-windshield/

this is a good reminder actually and often overlooked

another thing is never use household glass cleaning products like Windex or similar, the ammonia in these will cause a haze to develop on the windows a few hours after use, instead use a dedicated automotive glass cleaning product and it won't have this problem, the brand name stuff might cost a bit more but the results are worth it

 

[Dionic90]

http://www.invisibleglass.com/

This stuff is awesome!!!! Does exactly what it says it does. No Streaks! No issues. No Drama. Amazon has it.

 

[jokiin]

I use this http://www.bowdensown.com.au/Perfect-glass-cleaning

most of the good car detailing brands have something similar in the range, I use this particular one because it's Australian made, just to support the local economy, I'm sure the others are just as good

 

[Street Guardian USA]

I'm a fan of Invisible Glass too, I use the pressurized aerosol can version creates a foamy'ish coating works great.

 

[Dionic90]

ive always wondered how the foam version worked. good to hear its recommended.

 

[reverend]

I use the Meguiars products at the minute just because they're quite easy to get in the UK in the shops.

For the windscreen I use their Perfect Clarity glass cleaner:

And then for the dash I tried a few products but the the best I actually found was the Meguairs again:

Armorall do a semi-matte product for the trim but it still caused more glare which was really bad in my car - not only could my dash cam hardly see but neither could I when it was sunny! The older versions had silicones in as well - not sure if the current do but I chucked it in the bin - the Megs product really smells nice too!

And then as above I tried various CPL solutions - the Hoya HD one was by far the best I tried but added weight and size to the cameras so in the end I ended up with a dashmat - they're harder to get for RHD cars but Jokiin suggested I try the Australian shops as they're also RHD. In the end I got one at a really good price delivered from SunProtect and it was a Shevron branded one.

http://www.sunprotec.com.au/dashmat-dashboard-cover-c-2.html

It took a week or two to get used to the 70s porn star appearance but it's great now and really functional. There are loads more options in the US like suede effect and then the style used in new fabrics these days which look and perform really well

 

[AllThumbs]

I,m going try this.

http://www.invisibleglass.com/

This stuff is awesome!!!! Does exactly what it says it does. No Streaks! No issues. No Drama. Amazon has it.

I'm a fan of Invisible Glass too, I use the pressurized aerosol can version creates a foamy'ish coating works great.

 

[tmanz]

I found these -> https://www.amazon.com/gp/B00NBFN6HU
stick-on filters, but they have annoying advertising on it and come in white (black paint will do the trick!)

 

[Street Guardian USA]

I found these -> https://www.amazon.com/gp/B00NBFN6HU
stick-on filters, but they have annoying advertising on it and come in white (black paint will do the trick!)

Interesting, I wonder if that would fit the more extreme glass hugging shapes like the SG9665GC / A118 / B40. I have to wonder about the quality though since it's plastic.