Confused on polarizing filter options

D

Doxie

Senior Member


I am trying to make sense of all the different Hoya polarizing filters. I went on Amazon and now I am really confused. From what I have been reading the Hoya HD filter is the one to get but what are all the other ones? Also what is the difference,besides price, between the HD and the HD2?

Here Ithought there would be HD and non-HD filters, boy was I wrong.

Hoya HD Circular Polarizer Filter
Hoya 67mm HD2 Polarizer Filter
Hoya PRO1 Digital Polarizer Filter
Hoya HRT Circular PL Polarizer Multi-Coated Glass Filter
Hoya Alpha Circular Polarizer Filter
Hoya EVO SMC Circular Polarizer Super Multi-Coated Slim Frame Glass
Hoya - Filter - circular polarizer
Hoya 67mm Linear Polarizer Glass Filter
Hoya Moose 67mm Warm Circular Polarizer Filter

I’m guessingsome of these are probably for film cameras?
I’m ready to be educated.




 
W

WayneF

Senior Member
Hoya filters are a fine brand, but HD means High Durability coatings (probably a good thing, but it does not mean High Definition).

HOYA | The Difference is Clear

Very important - You do NOT want linear filters... A DSLR definitely needs Circular polarizing filters. Linear can interfere with the focusing system.

The main difference in the many choices are the coatings (a film deposited on the glass elements), which are designed to prevent reflections bouncing around between filter and lens glass, which causes ghost images, etc. Cheap filters have poor coatings, expensive filters have much better and exotic coatings, possibly a few choices of coatings. And to Hoya, HD means High Durability coating (less likely to get scratched or rub off). Moose is a famous wildlife photographer, who endorses and gets a commission on that one.

Another pretty good choice is the Nikon polarizing filters, which are made by someone, usually said to be Hoya. But they at least represent one single choice that is judged to be a good combination of quality and price (my opinion).
 
Last edited:
M

Moab Man

Senior Member
Just to throw in, don't ever skimp on the polarizing filter. You would be amazed at much a cpl that looks good to the eye totally destroys an image.

This was what a freebie thrown in with the lens cpl did. It was BAD!

DSC_2737_Web.jpg
 
canuck257

canuck257

Senior Member
I would welcome a specific recommendation on what make and model CPL to buy. I'm going to need a couple of different sizes so would like to get it right first time.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
canuck257 said:
I would welcome a specific recommendation on what make and model CPL to buy. I'm going to need a couple of different sizes so would like to get it right first time.
Click to expand...
Allow me to suggerst: Hoya HD Circular Polarizing Filters.

Why? The price won't break the bank and they're very well made filters. HD glass is SIGNIFICANTLY harder than any other filter I'm aware of (Hoya, I believe, states they are 4 times as strong if I recall correctly, so they're also very good protection, whether you think you need it or not). They transmit more light than other filers (most CPL's will cost you about two-stops of exposure, the HD's will cost you about one stop; maybe a little more). The Hoya HD's also clean up like they're Teflon coated (I run mine under running water in the kitchen sink) and if you've ever tried cleaning a multicoated filter you know what a bitch that can be. Once I found Hoya HD's, I stopped looking and have at least one in every size I need.
.....
 
Last edited:
M

Moab Man

Senior Member
Hoya is a very good brand. A suggestion, buy the largest polarizer you need and then purchase size adapter rings to fit the other lenses. Saves you a whole bunch of money and having an oversized filter doesn't hurt as you can't use the hood anyway.

I have professional quality cpl in 77mm and adapter rings for each smaller lens. It cost a good chunk of money for that one really good cpl, but it was cheaper than a whole bunch of mid grade cpl's for each lens size.
 
R

RON_RIP

Senior Member
It's Hoya for me all the way and buying a larger size and stepping down is definitely the way to go. i use the HRT versions
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Last edited:
D

Doxie

Senior Member
I understand getting the largest polarizing filter and use adapter rings to downsize to fit smaller lenses. It makes sense that you could not use the hood on the smaller lenses, the hood wouldn’t fit. Is that the only reason you can’t use a hood with a CPL? If the filter is the correct size can I use a hood if needed?
 
D

Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
Problem with using the hood is that you would have problems turning the CPL to get it to the correct place. You have to be able to adjust the CPL for each shot based on where the sun is and what angle you have the camera at.
 
W

WayneF

Senior Member
A hood that fit the larger threaded filter should work, if wide enough to not block the lens view. But the polarizing filter still has to rotate, that's how they work. That's the reason that a bayonet hood covering a filter of the right size to fit the lens can't work - the hood covering the filter blocks being able to touch and rotate it.

A polarizing filter can be used to hide reflections on glass and water, which might be aimed any direction.
But a filter used to darken blue skies is aimed about 90 degrees from the sun, so a hood is not very necessary then.
 
P

paul04

Senior Member
Moab Man said:
Hoya is a very good brand. A suggestion, buy the largest polarizer you need and then purchase size adapter rings to fit the other lenses. Saves you a whole bunch of money and having an oversized filter doesn't hurt as you can't use the hood anyway.

I have professional quality cpl in 77mm and adapter rings for each smaller lens. It cost a good chunk of money for that one really good cpl, but it was cheaper than a whole bunch of mid grade cpl's for each lens size.
Click to expand...

Good advice, does save you money, and step down rings are not that expensive,
I have done the same thing.
 
hark

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
If you buy the filter in the largest size and use adapter rings to fit onto other lenses, you want STEP UP Rings...not step down rings. If you buy step down rings, you will be sorry because they won't fit. They are 2 different types of adapter rings. If your lens is smaller in diameter than the filter, you want step up rings. If your lens diameter is larger than the filter, that's when you want step down rings (and you will wind up with some vignetting if you choose this option).
 
Z

Zerobeat

Senior Member
Moab Man said:
Hoya is a very good brand. A suggestion, buy the largest polarizer you need and then purchase size adapter rings to fit the other lenses. Saves you a whole bunch of money and having an oversized filter doesn't hurt as you can't use the hood anyway.

I have professional quality cpl in 77mm and adapter rings for each smaller lens. It cost a good chunk of money for that one really good cpl, but it was cheaper than a whole bunch of mid grade cpl's for each lens size.
Click to expand...
Thanks for this info. I was going to ask this exact question (oversize filters w/adapters vs. one for each size), and wanted to search to make sure it wasn't asked or answered already. I wasn't so much concerned with most other filters, but more so the CPL.

Thanks again!
 
Z

Zerobeat

Senior Member
Don Kuykendall said:
Problem with using the hood is that you would have problems turning the CPL to get it to the correct place. You have to be able to adjust the CPL for each shot based on where the sun is and what angle you have the camera at.
Click to expand...

WayneF said:
A hood that fit the larger threaded filter should work, if wide enough to not block the lens view. But the polarizing filter still has to rotate, that's how they work. That's the reason that a bayonet hood covering a filter of the right size to fit the lens can't work - the hood covering the filter blocks being able to touch and rotate it.

A polarizing filter can be used to hide reflections on glass and water, which might be aimed any direction.
But a filter used to darken blue skies is aimed about 90 degrees from the sun, so a hood is not very necessary then.
Click to expand...

Just relating an experience: I picked up a Tokina AT-X 840D lens (and somehow also walked out with a D700 as well...another story) that has an adjustment wheel in the hood for a CPL filter. It's the first one I've seen with it, so I don't know if it's a Tokina exclusive, but it seems like it would be handy! :D
 
Top