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Hoya 62mm Super-HMC Circular Polarizer Multi Coated Pro 1 Extra Thin Glass Filter | 
 enlarge | Brand: Hoya
Category: Photography
This item is no longer available
Rating:  2 reviews
Media: Electronics
MPN: X62CRPLPRO
UPC: 240660167822
EAN: 0240660167822
ASIN: B0002862WU
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Light rays, which are reflected by any surface, become polarized and polarizing filters are used to select which light rays enter your camera lens. They allow you to remove unwanted reflections from non-metallic surfaces such as water, glass etc. They also enable colors to become more saturated and appear clearer, with better contrast. This effect is often used to increase the contrast and saturation in blue skies and white clouds. HOYA's polarizing filters do not affect the overall color balance of a shot.
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| Customer Reviews:
Should be in every photographer's kit bag February 4, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Hoya's marketing literature makes a big noise about the quality of their anti-reflective coatings, especially on their SHMC and "Digital" range of filters. So is it all hype? No, not in my view. Quite the opposite in fact.
I recently bought a few Hoya SHMC Pro-1 UV filters and was knocked out by how good the anti-reflective coating really is these days - just absolutely zero reflection from the glass surfaces. And it's the same story for the SHMC Pro-1 Polarising filters.
I've been a long time fan of polarising filters, for all the reasons that you'll read anywhere as to why they should be used, e.g. to reduce or eliminate reflections and glare, increase colour saturation, darken blue skies and make clouds stand out, etc. I tend to have a Polarising filter and a UV filter left on my std zoom lens at all times. The only time I will remove the pol filter is if the conditions are so dull that I really can't get a safe hand-held shutter speed and in that instance I can't for some reason use a tripod.
I know good quality Pol filters are not cheap, but the difference they make to the resulting images can be incredible. For various reasons along these lines, some pro landscape photographers use them as std - all the time. Given the relatively high price of good quality Pol filters, I try and view them as a definite and worthwhile system upgrade. So to me this means putting the purchase of a good quality Pol filter in the same sort of consideration bracket as purchasing a decent tripod or flash gun.
I opted to purchase this particular model of filter for two reasons, 1) it's SHMC coating virtually eliminates any reflection whatsoever from the surfaces of the filter (which is critical because such reflections can play havoc with DSLR sensors), 2) it's Pro-1 design means that it is slim (meaning that it will cause little or no additional image vignetting - and chances are that you will be able to attach two Pro-1 filters and get away without any significant vignetting penalty, e.g. a Pol filter and a UV filter).
Tip: If attaching a Pol filter AND a UV filter, you might prefer to attach your Pol filter to your lens first, then attach your UV filter to your Pol filter. That way your most expensive filter is sandwiched in between the lens and the less expensive UV filter, and is therefore protected from damage. Given the choice between replacing a damaged Pol filter or a damaged UV filter, I know which I would prefer!
Many mags, books and online info sources will tell you that you should definitely have a Pol filter in your kit bag. It's good advice in my view and I would definitely recommend a Hoya SHMC Pro-1 Pol filter. It ain't cheap, but it is superb quality and makes a big difference to picture impact. Worth every cent/penny in my view.
This quality multicoated filter is a keeper January 31, 2007
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
Polarizing filters are used to eliminate glare on non-metallic surfaces like glass or water. They can also be used to increase the contrast and color saturation of your images. I use my polarizer not only to eliminate glare, but also to make skies a nice shade of blue or to get "pop" out of clouds.
There are many options to consider when purchasing the Polarizing filter for your needs. For instance, linear vs. circular, film or digital versions, or quality vs. price,
Circular polarizers are designed to work with TTL or auto-focusing systems. Linear polarizers have their uses, but they are manufactured differently and may not work with your camera. Unless you are certain, a Circular Polarizing filter is most likely the best choice.
There are some digital circular polarizers on the market. I am not sure what makes a cir-pl lens better for digital as opposed to film. I use a Canon 20D Digital SLR and I have not seen any problems occur from using this filter.
Most of the time, when it comes to filters; you get what you pay for. Does that mean you need an expensive version? Of course not, Hoya has several quality lines to choose from. The main differences between the lines are the filter coatings. The Pro1 has seven (as stated on the package) layers of multi-coating applied to the rear surface to eliminate internal reflections and ghosting. Advanced thin selective film is used to guarantee perfectly polarized light with neutral color balance.
Another benefit of the Pro-1 series is the super slim filter design that is more than 40% lighter than standard filters. The weight difference doesn't mean a whole lot to me, but a thinner filter means one can use this filter on wide angle lenses with less chance of vignetting (unwanted darkening of the image's corners).
I have multiple lenses that I use this filter on. I carry most of my equipment around in a backpack style bag, so it is important to me that I carry only what I need and no more. I find the fact that I can use this filter on my wide angle lens as well as my other lenses a huge benefit. I could fix vignetting issues in post, but it takes more time and effort than using the right tool in the first place. I also use step up rings so I can use on my smaller ring sized lenses. This saves me from buying multiple versions of my filters most of the time.
Before I spent the money on my Pro1 filter (I paid much less than the Amazon price) I used Canon Polarizing filters, which are without question bulkier and heavier. When it came down to the images, at times I would see a brownish tint to my photos. The Tint is easy to clean up in Photoshop, but I don't see that problem with the Hoya Pro1.
Overall, this is the best polarizing filter I have used so far and it is worth it to me to pay the higher price.
PROS:
Can be used for film or digital cameras
Super slim 5mm ring
Quality seven layer multi-coated filter
Eliminates internal reflections and ghosting
Neutral color balanced
CONS:
Steep investment for a filter
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