Broken Hoya HD CP Filter

hark

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Has anyone ever dealt with Hoya for a broken filter? My Hoya HD Circular Polarizer broke last night. The limted one-year warranty runs out at the end of this month. When I removed it last night, a thin brass ring broke (must have been in between where the filter rotates) which then separated the threads from the filter's glass. It was difficult to remove the threaded section from the front of my lens, but fortunately I was able to do it without damaging my lens. The glass in the filter is still intact. Just wondering how Hoya is for warranty issues.

It is this one:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/574287-REG/Hoya_XHD77CRPL_77mm_Circular_Polarizing_HD.html
 

hark

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I don't have any experience with Hoya warranty... but I'll be following this thread to see what you find out, Cindy...

I will have to take a photo of the broken pieces. It's bizarre (or ingenious) in how it's assembled. The part that stayed fastened to my lens reminds me of a step up ring. A thin piece of aluminum that looks exactly like one. It was still threaded onto my lens. On the other end of that piece, there were internal threads. So it genuinely looks like a very thin step up ring.

There was also a thin brass piece that reminds me of the gold band on some Nikon lenses. That's the piece I found lying on the floor. In fact, initially I thought it was the gold band from my lens. But it's a tad pinker and just slightly thinner than the gold band.

Then there was the third part which I thought was the entire CP filter. My lens cap was still attached to the one side. The other side has external threads on it which is why I thought it was the entire filter. So I'm hoping they can reassemble it somehow since the glass is intact.
 

Chucktin

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Well if it is a Circular Polarizer there needs to be a rotating join in there and that's probably what your looking at.
I've never had a fail like that so I'll also be watching to see what response you'll receive.
 

hark

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I called about 5 minutes ago knowing the company is located in California. They are all at lunch...go figure. I was asked to call back in 1/2 hour but asked if someone could call me instead. The woman said they will.
 

hark

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I received a call back about one hour after my initial call to Hoya. The rep asked about my issue. I no more than said, I have a Hoya HD Circular Polarizer which snapped apart at the mount, when he interjected, So you have 3 pieces in your hand? They must be familiar with this particular issue. He asked when it was purchased, and when he heard it was within the past year he said, That's great. Send it in and we will fix it for you. I have to include a copy of my receipt (which isn't a problem).

When I bought it, I remember seeing their HD2 Circular Polarizer which looked the same but cost more. Some reviews mentioned it was the same as the one I own except the HD2 has a longer warranty.

I really do like the results I get from this CP filter. I used to use B+W CP filters, but my greens were coming out an odd color. It was difficult to correct the shades of green to something more pleasing. That hasn't been a problem with this Hoya HD CP filter. My only concern is I bought 2 of these at the same time. The other is on my Nikon 24-120mm f/4. I'm going to have to take a close look at it to see if it's okay.
 
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Chucktin

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Did you mention the second filter? That second one alone might be good enough that they'll send you back the better of the 2 you noticed.
 

hark

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Did you mention the second filter? That second one alone might be good enough that they'll send you back the better of the 2 you noticed.

During my first conversation with this gentleman, I mentioned getting 2 of these at the same time. After I got off the phone, I wondered if I could send in the other one for inspection. So I called back and asked. He said that would be fine. :)

In case anyone isn't aware, Hoya, Tokina, and Kenko are all part of the same company. So my first impression with their customer service is very positive.
 

hark

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Here is a pic of the 3 pieces. The piece on the upper left reminds me of a step up ring. It has threads on the back that attach it to my lens. And it looks like there are threads on this top side, too.

The piece on the upper right also has a threaded appearance on the back. The back of this upper right piece fits inside the upper left piece. And the copper wire is supposed to be sandwiched between them.

I sent both of my HD CP filters to Hoya this afternoon. They will repair the broken one and inspect the other. I'll let you know how it goes once I get more information. They came with a limited one-year warranty so it sounded like Hoya was going to make good on the broken one. :)

_DSC7849 low res.jpg
 

hark

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Here's the latest update on my Hoya HD CP filter. Today I received a UPS notification that a package is headed my way next week from Hoya--signature required so they aren't sparing any expense. :)

Since I sent the second filter along to be evaluated, I've really missed having a CP filter on my 24-120mm f/4 VR lens. That is the filter that wasn't broken but was purchased at the same time. Both filters were so close to the end of their 1-year warranty that it's okay to be a little antsy! ;)
 

hark

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My package just arrived via UPS. Right before Thanksgiving, I sent in both the broken Hoya HD CP filter and an identical unbroken one asking for it to be inspected. The one-year warranty was just about up on both.

Both appear to rotate without any trouble and both have clean glass. One is slightly stiffer to rotate whereas the other rotates very freely, but the one isn't overly stiff. I'm guessing the stiffer one might be the one that was repaired since both rotated freely before the one broke. My only cost was to ship the package out to them. Hoya paid for the return shipping.

Prior to getting these Hoya HD CP filters, I was using a couple of B+W CP filters. The reason I changed was because of the yellowish green colors of foliage I was getting from the B+W CP filters. It was very difficult to correct in Photoshop. The strange color cast hasn't been an issue since switching to the Hoya HD CP filters.

So two thumbs up for Hoya. ;)
 

hark

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I put these on their respective lenses yesterday and went out to shoot. There was a difference between them that I noticed once they were mounted. Earlier I mentioned the one that was repaired was slightly stiffer although not overly stiff. Once they were mounted, there was a little more sideways movement (more like a sideways wobble) in the filter that wasn't broken compared with the repaired filter. When grasping the front parts of both filters, there is a little play in them.

So I compared that to a Hoya HD2 CP filter in 67mm that is on a different lens. That too has a slight bit of play (sideways wobble) but isn't overly loose. It doesn't have quite the wobble as the unbroken HD CP filter. And that might be normal for all CP filters since they require movement. So now I'm wondering if the filter that wasn't broken (but was sent in for inspection) will eventually snap off like the other one. :confused:

So as a precaution, I ordered a new CP filter. As much as I love the colors of these HD CP filters, I decided not to get another Hoya filter. Instead, I just ordered a new B+W CP filter that I have never tried. In the past, I wasn't happy with the shift in greens from my B+W CP filters, but this is a different CP filter. It too is supposed to have a slim profile and allow a front lens cap.

EDIT: This week I also emailed the Hoya rep who was in touch with me regarding my broken filter. I asked if the Hoya HD3 CP filter ($199) has the same mount as mine. So far I haven't heard back and am hesitant to spend that kind of money without knowing if it is the same mount. The color-pop from these HD CP filters is excellent. I'm hoping the B+W CP filter I just ordered will yield similar results.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1141525-REG/b_w_1081478_77mm_xs_pro_mc_kaesemann.html

1430847891000_1141525.jpg
 
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hark

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Just another update on the Hoya HD filters. After I received both of these back from Hoya, I left the one that was repaired in its box and have been using the B+W 77mm XS-Pro Kaesemann High Transmission filter linked above on my 24-120mm f/4. The identical Hoya HD filter that wasn't repaired was put back on my 300mm f/4 lens. It is so very close to breaking that I will have to find a replacement for it. The part that rotates is SO loose it's only a matter of time before it snaps apart.

There is a noticeable difference in colors rendered between the Hoya and the B+W. I greatly prefer the Hoya's colors, but the B+W colors can be tweaked in post. The B+W also screws onto the front of my lens with more rotations than the Hoya - the threads are definitely different between these two filters. So the B+W is more secure in that respect when mounted on the front of a lens. The Hoya only takes about 1/2 turn to be fully mounted. In fact, the Hoya fell off my 300mm f/4 this week. :grief: At least I saw it lying in the grass - fortunately no damage to it. So I need to go through my bags and find a different 77mm CP filter or order another of this particular B+W CP filter for my 300mm lens. I like that there is only 1 to 1.5 stops light loss withe the B+W. My older CP filters are darker causing more light loss.
 
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