Circular Polarizer??

I recently purchased a circular polarizer for my recently purchased 40 d and have few questions. First of all, is this strictly used for landscapes? I understand that it is not an everyday filter but what are the benefits and when should I use it other than on bright days for landscape photos? Outdoor portraits? I haven't had a chance to experiment with it so curious to know.

Any info appreciated.

It will help to reduce glare from any source. I use it mainly around water, cars, and glass, because those subjects tend to produce a lot of directional glare.
The circular polarizer is essentially useless indoors, and may actually make it more difficult to talk pictures because the circular polarizer reduces the amount of light reaching the sensor, therefore making low-light indoor scenes even darker.

CP filters can be used anywhere that reflections or haze is an issue. Since reflected light is often polarized, the CP filter can block that reflected light. So, the sun shining off water where you have lots of reflections, those reflections can be minimized. Also, a CP filter will increase color saturation as well. Lastly, yo can use it on hazy days to reduce some of the haze effect. Experiment with it.

Here's a thread I started a long time ago. The pictures demonstrate the fact that circular polarizers do a great job of eliminating glare. I just used it last week at a shark feeding frenzy in Islamorada, Florida. Had I not used it, I would have ended up with the reflection of the surface of the water. With it on and properly rotated, though, I was able to cut through the water and see the details on the sharks. In my opinion, a circular polarizer is definitely something everyone should carry in their bag.

I certainly hope this helps!

https://photography-on-the.net …hlight=circular​+polarizer

Good info and thanks. One more question. It is a Hoya....not sure what grade but it was around $85. What does the whiteline on it mean? Picsniper mentioned rotating it. What does this do?

This is also a good link to read in order to better understand circular polarizers and how they work...

http://en.wikipedia.or​g …cular_polarizer​#Polarizer

By the way, turning it alters the amount of reflectivity/contrast.

it's used a lot in landscapes, but a CPL in front of a 1.4 lens also acts like a ND and lets you shoot wide open on a sunny day

also, shooting into water (for fishy shots of fish), cpl works wonders

PicSniper wrote in post #5734591
Here's a thread I started a long time ago. The pictures demonstrate the fact that circular polarizers do a great job of eliminating glare. I just used it last week at a shark feeding frenzy in Islamorada, Florida. Had I not used it, I would have ended up with the reflection of the surface of the water. With it on and properly rotated, though, I was able to cut through the water and see the details on the sharks. In my opinion, a circular polarizer is definitely something everyone should carry in their bag.

I certainly hope this helps!

https://photography-on-the.net …hlight=circular​+polarizer

i had a hard time with the ducks in water today. total reflections. need to get a CP now. Thanks for the sample pics.

Here are some general filter information links

Somewhere within these links should be the answer to just about any question regarding the use of filters.

BTW, for outdoor use, I will more often shoot with a CPL than without it. I can afford the 1.5 - 2 stops exposure loss outdoors and the CPL will really improve many shots.

I left my CPL home by mistake when I was on a on a trip through the Southwest. I went to buy a replacement in an Albuquerque pirate photo store and they were charging top-line filter prices for trashy filters. I won't ever leave the CPL at home again. My images suffered.

Tiffen: Polarizing Filter Effects
http://www.tiffen.com/​filters.htm

Replacement Light Bulbs.com: Filters
http://www.replacement​lightbulbs.com/tipsfil​ters.html#Filters

PSA Journal – Using CPL in combination with a linear polarizing filter
http://findarticles.co​m …1306/is_1_73/ai​_n17154395

Filter Connection – Facts on Filters
http://www.2filter.com​/faq/faq.html

DPFWIW – Filter Options for Digital Cameras
http://www.dpfwiw.com/​filters.htm#why

Schneider B&W Filters
http://www.schneiderop​tics.com/filters/bw.ht​m

Hoya Filters
http://www.thkphoto.co​m/products/hoya/index.​html

Photofilter.com – Filter Information
http://www.photofilter​.com/infomap.htm

Digital SLR Photography Tips - Using Photographic Filters
http://www.all-things-photography.com/photog​raphic-filters.html

Photo Secrets Tips – Andrew Hudson
http://www.photosecret​s.com/tips.filters.htm​l

Popular Photography – Filters Vs. Photoshop
http://www.photosecret​s.com/tips.filters.htm​l

Chroma Software – Photoshop Photographic Filters Plug-in
http://www.chromasoftw​are.com/photographic_f​ilters.htm

The Light‘s Right Studio – Filters can make all the difference
http://www.thelightsri​ghtstudio.com …nMakeAllTheDiff​erence.pdf

Its best to read up on filters and their uses *before* dropping any money on them. Buy the wrong one, or a really cheap one, and you'll be spending even more money down the road replacing them with quality, multicoated filters. Good filters are expensive, so the first question you need to ask, before spending any money, is: Why do I want this or that particular filter?

Try this link as well (applicable to digital filters are the polarizer, ND, and GND...the rest are for film):

http://www.bythom.com/​filters.htm