Filter Dmc

Filter Dmc
What type of Polarizering filter do I need?

I am trying to improve my pictures and I want to try a polarizering filter. I know what they are and what they do, but I do not understand the difference between a circular and linear polarizer filter. Could someone (in somewhat laymen’s terms) what they difference is, and what I need?
I read on wikipedia that circular filters tend to work with most cameras, while linear ones are only for certain ones. I wanted to make sure this was accurate.
My camera is a Panasonic DMC-FZ7.
Also, could anyone reccomend brands? I am a poor student, so I can’t go very high… but if anyone has better experience? I was looking between Tiffen and Sunpak (the cheapies).
ALSO how do you work them? I have heard that you can twist to get difference results?
I know this is a lot, but thank you to anyone that tries to answer my questions!

Polarizers eliminates Photons (reflected light waves). Linear polarizers eliminates photons coming from an angle, i.e. You set the filter to “kill” vertical photons (a glass window?) or rotate it somewhat 90deg to eliminate horizontal photons (water surface?).
A circular polarizer is designed to somewhat do both of the above (Imagine 2 linear polarizers stacked up in a 90deg orientation).
For illustrations, read :

http://www.cs.mtu.edu/~shene/DigiCam/User-Guide/filter/polarizer.html

“Linear polarizing filters seem to have a greater effect on the final image than circular polarizers do, and in spite of many misconceptions, you can use either type of filter on any camera. But there is a catch: if you use a linear polarizer on a modern camera, you may not be able to use your built-in metering, or autofocus, or possibly both. ” camerapedia.com

It is mainly because modern automatic cameras sends out beams throught the lens for metering, focusing, etc, and the linear polar filter affects those readings.

When using a polariser, whether linear or circular, you rotate the outer filterlens-ring. as you rotate it, the polarizing effect varies. Stop where you like it to be and snap!

Tiffen is not a cheapie brand in my opinion, and it is expensive here. Between sunpak and tiffen, i’ll take the latter for sure!

Take Great Pics!

DMC-TZ7 Sound Test (Wind Noise Filter)