Do you use a polarizing filter? Why or why not?

Tried to find a thread like this but actually the search feature on (most) forums sucks...

So do you use a polarizing filter or not?

If so why? If not, why not?

Whenever I need to darken blue sky or cut through (reduce) reflections on non-metallic surfaces, I use a polarizing filter. While darkening of a blue sky can be done in post-processing software, nothing but a polarizing filter can cut through reflections on glass, water, paint, etc.

When shooting skies, water, etc they're a wonderful help in boosting contrast (white clouds against blue skies), controlling reflections (water/glass), etc. Just be sure to use a good, quality one.

Sometimes.

Depends a lot on what I'm shooting. If I'm going out on a landscape dedicated photo shoot during daylight hours, then most likely yes. However, night shots, casual walk around, portrait, wedding, etc., no.

rotating a polarizing filter can give you warmer/cooler tones as well. The boost contrast. So long as you don't need all the light you can get or don't want the look, they are pretty nifty.

It's also nice to have a stop or two reduction in light coming in when you want to go video. It allows you to have a shutter speed of 1/50 (best for 24p film look) while having a shallow dof with a wide aperture.

I use a polarizer to blue the sky as needed and to eliminate undesirable reflections from water, glass, etc. I learned the hard way years ago shooting Kodachrome in the Rockies that a polarizer can darken the sky excessively.

Primarily do landscape work and find it very useful. Withthe digital I use the specialized Hoya Moose Peterson polarizer because I find the built-in very slight warming useful. I know I can do the warming "post" but I find I want to warm things up more often than not so I start with the "Hoya/Moose".

I've had a 77mm polarizing filter for my EOS zooms since 2007 and just got a 49mm filter for my Sony e-mount lenses today. I use it whenever I think I need it: mainly for water, sky and foliage shots. Always good!!

Just ordered one this week, should arrive tomorrow....primarily, I plan on using it for landscape work and around the water / beach...

My Marumi DHG CPL almost never leaves my lens. Since I'm primarily a landscape photographer, I find a CPL invaluable on my 17-40.

So this begs the question: What kind/brand do people like?

Guy at the camera store was telling me the good ones are like $150.

Hold-over from film...There are many ways in digital PP to make white clouds stand out against a deep blue sky, but a polarizer is still among the easiest.

i-G12 wrote in post #14796878
So this begs the question: What kind/brand do people like?

Guy at the camera store was telling me the good ones are like $150.

I once read somewhere that the guys at camera shops try to sucker customers into buying filters, because they make the most money on accessories, not the camera itself. Can anyone back this up?

i-G12 wrote in post #14796878
So this begs the question: What kind/brand do people like?

Guy at the camera store was telling me the good ones are like $150.

Lots of people like B+W. I use a Marumi circular polarizer and it's fantastic. No noticable degradation in image quality.

ashiundar wrote in post #14796906
I once read somewhere that the guys at camera shops try to sucker customers into buying filters, because they make the most money on accessories, not the camera itself. Can anyone back this up?

I worked at Best Buy right out of college and this was most definitely true. The markup on big items like cameras, compared to the accessories is big.

I don't remember everything off the top of my head, but at the time for instance, a basic USB cable could cost $20-$30 and actual cost would be anywhere from $2-$5.