marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

Of course. Once again an online source is recommended over a local store and the decline of brick and mortar stores continues - even if it's a chain brick and mortar store.

Okay, let me revise my reply then - go to your local Mom & Pop photography store to get a CP and do them a favor to keep them operating.

Roger Hicks Loc: Aquitaine

Why a circular polarizer over a regular polarizer? Camera metering problems? What?

Cheers,

R.

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

My understanding is that the problem is the autofocus system, not the exposure system. Linear polarizers interfere with the autofocus while circular ones do not.

photo guy Loc: Chippewa Falls, WI

You could also try in the shade or try at different angles.

fcrawley Loc: Melbourne, FL

CPs do not affect AF while a linear will. If you are only shooting MF then a linear will work. Don't skimp on a polarizer. The filter material is bound to the glass between the two rotating pieces of glass. Go read about them on the B+W website. You can see if one will work for you if you have a pair of polarized sunglasses. Rotate them while looking at your subject and see how the reflections change. Polarizers will not work on pure metallic surfaces because metals do not refract light.

It goes back to physics and Brewster's angle. When light passes through a boundary between two materials (substances) with different refractive indices then some of it is reflected. You can use the Fresnel equations to determine the angle of light that is not reflected between these two materials with different indices of refraction. That is Brewster's law and the angle defined by this law is Brewster's angle or polarizing angle.

Since metals do not refract light, they cannot produce any polarization. Please see the following article for a more thorough explanation:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brewster's_angle

Also, you will have trouble using a polarizer if you wear polarized sunglasses while trying to take a picture because two polarizers can block each other.

fcrawley Loc: Melbourne, FL

Here is another great explanation:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polarizing_filter_(photography)

Shutterbug305 Loc: Iowa

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. I am wanting to get some more equipment before too long, but I am holding off till I see if I maintain the GPA required by the PELL grant. I lose my PELL and have to repay the overage I have put aside if I don't keep a certain GPA. I have been really struggling in my classes this semester so I have to see if I end up having to repay the grant money 1st before getting any equipment. How expensive are we talking for a CP? I have bought all my equipment and camera from B&H photo so I too know they are a great place. I will experiment with different angles and parking it under a tree or in the shade etc. until I can get a CP. Thanks and if any of you have any further suggestions on the subject I am open to them. I am on a very tight budget though so it takes awhile for me to save the money for things I want or need like this.