What are the benefits and drawbacks of using a polarizing filter ?

Question:Good - eliminating most reflection, better color saturation especially leaves and sky
Bad - small loss in light which you have to compensate for

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Good - eliminating most reflection, better color saturation especially leaves and sky
Bad - small loss in light which you have to compensate for

I couldn't live without a polarizer, especially here in the high desert.

The biggest drawback is that you lose 1.5 to 2 stops worth of light.

You either need it or not ... if you need it, then the 1-1/2 stops of light lost is worth it.

There are only a few reasons to use them, so you don't have to keep them on your camera all the time.

The benefits are that you can eliminate reflections, darkern your sky and make the entire photo richer in color.......the drawback?.......I really cant think of any.

Polarizing filters are indispensable if you are shooting slide film (transparencies). They reduce reflections and increase color saturation especially in deepening the blue of the sky. This works best if the sun is behind you at a 45 degree angle.
Of course you loose approx. 1.3 f stop of light. But there is always the tripod if necessary.

With print film or digital polarizers are not as important as you can adjust after the fact.
In fact today it is like to hell with everything, just use photo shop. That is why I hate photoshop even though I now use it often to keep up with the times. That is why you can see my heel drag marks in the sand. In fact if I lived in the right time frame I would probably beat theshit out of the guy who invented the wheel.