Polarizer filter question and zoo

[PhotoAmateur]

I'm going out to the zoo today to take some pictures with my new polarizer
filter. How exactly do I use it? I need some guidelines since you can vary
the polarizing amout. Also, it's going to be sunny today, should I shoot with maybe 200 or 100 ASA
film because of the sun or is that too slow for animal shots?

[Rich]

It won't darken the sky if you're shooting straight toward or away
from the sun, but darkening the sky isn't the only thing a polarizer
does. It will still have an effect on any reflections off of shiny
nonmetallic surfaces in the scene. Glass, paint, water, snow, and
lots of other things act as natural polarizers, and a polarizing
filter can cut glaring reflections off of any of them.

[Bill]

The polarizing effect is at its height at a 90 degree angle to the sun. The
effect falls off until is it not noticeable when you're facing directly
toward the sun or directly away from the sun. If you're using a wide angle
lens that includes the sky, you may notice a slight shift in the color of
the sky from one end of the frame to the other.
A polarizing filter will decrease the amount of light entering the lens, so
you may want to use a slightly faster film than usual.

Let us know how it turns out.

[copperpenny]

In times likes this when I may not have enough time to adjust my polarizer I will opt for a ND filter. It will cut the amount of bright white light that strikes the film. This will give you more saturation of the colors.

[alistair]

Neutral Density does nothing other than absorb light of all wavelengths (colours) equally. It won't increase colour saturation it simply reduces the amount of light reaching the film.

[Georgews_old]

I would opt for the 200 ASA film, especially if using a polariser or ND filter as they cut down the light reaching the film. Many animals at the zoo are reasonably static but will moave just as you press the button!!.
Remember to rotate the polariser to get the effect you want, specially if there are any reflective objects around and you are trying to cut out these reflections or hot spots.
The ND filter is simply to allow the use of longer exposures or wider apertures when the light is too bright. It does nothing else to your photo but is usefull if you have loaded a too fast film
Good luck
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George