Polarizing Filter Question

[Roy C]

How important do you think Polarizing filters are in today's digital age where photo,s (under exposed skies...) can be fixed via software?.
I ask because I am ever more getting into landscapes and am considering a circular polarizing filter for my 17-40 f4 .
For all my Landscapes at the moment I create two exposures from the RAW (one exposed for the sky and one for the foreground) and blend them in CS2 - this is second nature to me now and only takes around two minutes or less.
Will I do a lot better if I buy a CP?

[robski]

I have Polarizing filter but rarely use it. Great for killing reflections off wet surfaces, glass etc. Useful to enhance skies but care is needed as you can over do it. Also you need to be at the correct angle to the light to get the effect. Losing 3 stops of light and possible IQ loss are the main bug bare.

[john crossley]

Since going Digital I never use filters on the lens, preferring to add effects in Photoshop, as you have much more control over the result.

[john20d]

Roy I have a CP on my Sigma 10-20mm and to be quite honest with you it is a waste of time. As Rob so rightly said its all about the angle you are to the sun, (optimum effect achieved at 90 degrees) to attain this you have to rotate the filter ring, problem is the ring is buried inside the lens hood which has to be detached to make this possible. O.K. for reducing reflections, but little else.

John

[Roy C]

Thanks for the responses guy's. It is as I thought - I will stick to digital blending in CS2 and pocket the £100 ish.