What size polarizing filter do I need?

[Ken Rogers]

55mm seems to ring a bell. Would I need circular or linear? I don't really understand these terms.

Any recommended brands? Stay away from any?

Thought I might search eBay to keep my costs down.

Ken

[squirl033]

55mm is the correct size. linear or circular will work, but linears are almost always cheaper. as for brands, Hoya is very well regarded, and a good polarizer shouldn't cost you much over $10-15 on ebay.

[Ken Rogers]

Thank you for the reply. I just read something that says to only use circular polarizing filters with cameras that have auto-focus. Is this true?

[Telecorder]

Ken Rogers wrote:

Thank you for the reply. I just read something that says to only use circular polarizing filters with cameras that have auto-focus. Is this true?

See post at:mtngal wrote:

WhatIS the difference between a linear and a circular polarizer?

Ira Tiffen, of the Tiffen filter company, wrote an article describing different filters that is worth bookmarking:

http://www.tiffen.com/camera_filters...zing%20Filters

In it, he explains the difference between circular and linear polarizers thus:

"Certain camera optical systems employ internal surfaces that themselves polarize light. Using a standard (linear) polarizer will cause the light to be further absorbed by the internal optics, depending on the relative orientation. A Circular Polarizer is a linear one to which has been added,on the side facing the camera, a quarter wave "retarder." This "corkscrews" the plane of polarization, effectively depolarizing it, eliminating the problem. The Circular Polarizer otherwise functions in the same manner."

[genece]

Ken Rogers wrote:

Thank you for the reply. I just read something that says to only use circular polarizing filters with cameras that have auto-focus. Is this true?

At one time all auto focus cameras used a split beam meter systemand that requires a circular polarizer...Today most if not all DSLRs use that system but prosumer cameras such as the FZ30 do not.

I have both a linear and a circular polarizer both are Hoyas and my choice is the Linear its very close but I seem to see a more dramatic effect with the linear.

If it makes you feel better or if you plan on moving on to a DSLR get the circular.

The hoya linear is about 20 bucks at B&H

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

[Ken Rogers]

Thank you for the link. Here's what I am considering buying on eBay. Looks like a trustworthy seller. Of course, one never knows. It does seem rather cheap, considering that HOYA glass 55mm circular polarizers are going for much more in stores.



http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...%3AIT&rd=1

[mtngal]

Thank you very much for the linkon Tiffen's site about filters. I now know why I was probably disappointed - since my old 35 mm was a manual camera, I probably got a linear one and the effects were far more dramatic.

style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000"Thanks again for the interesting reading!