Hi,
as I am new to photography, what does a polarizer do?

Thanks
Snoogie

In a nutshell a polarizer acts similar to your sunglasses, it helps reduce unwanted glare and reflection from things such as water, glass, etc. It also helps to deepen blue skies, and can cut through aerial perspective (haze).

Just rememebr though that if you use a polarizer that you will have to adjust your exposure by +1.5 to 2 stops. IF you are using a auto focus camera you will most likely need a circular type polarizer as opposed the standard linear type.

Hope that helps.

Yes, thank you very much.
I think I have to buy one

I recommend a circular polarizer, it allows you to adjust the degree of polarization. They are more expensive, but definitely worth it.

Yeah, most definately a circ-polariser. They are rather expensive, especially if your cam is IF (internal focus).

For example here in Au a polariser for my 77mm thread on the 20-35mm costs like 90 bucks ish.

Of course its somewhat cheaper over where you guys are.

Mine cost 99.00 (CDN) for a 72mm circ.

Its worth it though, as I love the results I get with it.

Yeah AUD is somewhat like CAD.
I was over there in December, reliving the whole first two years of my life.

What brand name did you buy Chris, I think my 72mm Hoya was $80

Another filter buying tip....
Say you have a couple lenses, like a 72mm and a 77mm. Buy the 77mm filter then an adapter ring for the 72mm lense. Going the other way reduces the objective size of your lense possibly affecting exposure.

photok: I bought a cokin (the only one they carried at the time) one. its pretty nice actually very low profile (almost no lip on the outer thread).

i have a 55mm Hoya and a 77mm Hoya

I just got a used cokin linear polarizer but then my camera is not autofocusing so it don't make a difference (and it only cost me $20 cnd).

freakyclean

Originally posted by freakyclean
I just got a used cokin linear polarizer but then my camera is not autofocusing so it don't make a difference (and it only cost me $20 cnd).

freakyclean

Yeah. AF=$$$$$$$