Polarizers-How to use?

[canon rookie]

Ok I just bought my first polarizer and I really don't know the correct way to use it.Can someone enlighten me? Whats the right way to position the white dot? I feel like such a rookie.I have a Tamron 28-75 non rotation front.
Canon Rookie

[SkipD]

You can forget the white dot.

Merely look through the camera and rotate the filter (in the same direction that you would install it on the lens) until you like the effect it produces. The reason for rotating it in the same direction you would install it is so that it you don't unscrew it and drop it.

If you are using an in-camera meter, do everything else normally.

If you are using a handheld meter, you need to compensate the readings for the filter (about 1.5 to 2 stops) prior to setting the exposure controls.

[canon rookie]

Thanks for clearing that up Skip.I was under the impression that the white dot had something to do with the postion.
peace,
rookie

[SkipD]

Thanks for clearing that up Skip.I was under the impression that the white dot had something to do with the postion.
Some folks will check out what a polarizer could do by holding it and turning it. Then, they look at where the reference mark is and - after mounting the filter on their camera/lens - they will position the filter to roughly the same setting they had in their hands.

By far, the best way is to look through the camera and see what the filter does to the scene. You may be setting it to darken the sky or to cut through reflections on water or ....on and on....