Hoya 67mm Extra Thin Circular Polarizer Super Multi Coated Glass Filter | List Price: $169.75
Discount Price: $94.49
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Brand: Hoya
Binding: Accessory
Features: - Creates dramatic sky/cloud contrast.
- Saturates colors without changing color balance.
- Mount rotates to control amount of effect.
- Super Multi Coated for maximum flare protection.
Confusing product description [Posted on 2007-05-04]
I bought this c-pol filter thinking this was the super-hmc version, because that's the closest sounding product name shown on the Hoya site. This gets confusing when you try to do price comparisons between different retailers. Hoya HMC filters have 12 coating layers, while this has 7, which places it in their "Standard" line. This important bit of info was not provided on the product page. I expect better product information when I pay $60 for a lens filter.
In terms of the actual product, it looks well made with a reduced profile that does not cause vignetting on my 18mm Nikkor lens.
Unimpressive build quality [Posted on 2007-07-28]
If you're planning to use this polarizer with a hood on, especially a deeper one, this is probably not a filter for you. For whatever reason Hoya only serrated the outer edge, and the front part is absolutely smooth. You won't be able to turn it unless you can somehow squeeze your finger between the hood and the filter edge.
For a few dollars more you can get B&W multi-coated filter like this, whose maker put a little bit more thought in the design. B&W also seems generally better built.
The coating on my copy of this Hoya doesn't actually reach the very edge of the glass on one side, and when I look closely I can see a gap in coating where the metal ring meets the glass. The gap is tiny and it doesn't actually matter in the photos, but it does leave a bad impression.
Optically I haven't noticed anything obviously wrong with it. It's still a multi-coated polarizer, so guess it's an okay value all-in-all.
Stiff rotation [Posted on 2007-10-24]
I found this polarizer to be difficult to rotate. Other than that it was fine.
More difficult to use [Posted on 2007-11-05]
I bought this polarizer for my Canon IS 17-85 mm lens and think the picture quality is good. The reason I chose this thin polarizer was to reduce the possibility of vignetting (and I haven't experienced any).
But the slim design also gives some troubles when it comes to turning the filter to get the desired effect, simply because it is hard to get a ok grip on the turning ring without touching the glass itself. I never had this kind of trouble with the polarizer I use with my 58mm diameter lens.
Also I experienced that the original lens cap won't fit when the filter is attached.
Very good quality, can be difficult to turn [Posted on 2008-01-12]
The first thing I noticed when I received this filter was how thin it really is. Then I screwed it onto my lens and began to try it out. Well, ol' "Fat Fingers" could barely turn the polarizer ring...I was unscrewing the filter to turn the ring. I found that it is easier if you grab the filter's ring more from the front. This can cause your hand to be in the way when you are trying to look through the camera's lens to determine the filter's effect. I worked with it a bit and now I feel comfortable using it.
Now I needed to photograph some scenic landscapes. So I went to the Bend Big country in West Texas where the skies were clear and blue during December of '07. Yes, I was pleased with the functionality of the filter. It does a good job of removing glare which also increases color saturation and contrast. And I have noticed no ill effects to my photographs, including no vignetting at my lens's widest angle (equivalent to a 28mm lens on a 35mm format camera.) That is something my old filter used to do and since I shoot a lot of landscapes it is the reason I purchased this one.
This is a very good quality filter though it does take a bit of work to grasp the ring to turn it. I'm glad it is in my camera bag.
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