Anyone familiar with a 72mm Hoya filter?

Question

I am looking to get a 72mm Hoya filter for my Canon 28-135 IS USM lens that I use on my Canon Rebel XT. Have you used one before, if so, what is your opinion on them? I am looking for an affordable filter, and don't want to spend over $100... this seems to be for me but want to get a users opinion of them first.

PS-- I have looked at both the standard and the Pro-1 and am leaning to the Pro-1

circular polarizer is what I am looking at

Answer 1

If 72mm is the biggest filter size you have on all your lenses then get a 72mm circular polarizer (CP).

A good quality CP (B+W MRC, Heliopan or Hoya Pro S-HMC) are usually expensive. But you can make do with just one CP and buy step up (or is it step down) rings to make them compatible with your other lenses with smaller filter size (for a you need a 72-58 mm step up ring, I think. And you can get them cheaply on ebay)

You have a lot of choices by price in the 72mm CP range. You can get Tiffen as cheap at $50 or pay a lot more than that. Since a CP cuts down 2 stops of light you want to get one which does not compromise optical quality when used. Also, ideally you need to get one that is Multicoated (MC/MRC) which further prevents any degradation in optical quality. So its not just getting B+W or Hoya or Heliopan or whatever but investing in the MC version of the filter.

In the link below you will see all choices currently available from B&H in the 72mm CP category. You should choose the one that suits you best.

Answer 2

I have a 62mm CP Hoya that is fine. I do have a 72mm grad Hoya filter which I use pretty frequently in landscapes. Hoya makes decent filters for the price.

Answer 3

Any particular Hoya filter? I've used the brand, and they're good.

If you don't want to spend a lot for a filter, how about buying a used one? Camera stores that carry used equipment usually have an overstock of used filters, so they will happily unload them cheap. Just hold it up to the light to check for scratches or cracks, and if it's good, it's a bargain!

Answer 4

I've used HOYA, TIFFEN and B+W for years. You'll be fine with the HOYA. As mungee suggested you can buy Step-Up rings to use your 72mm diameter filter on a lens using a 58mm filter. Search on ebay in lens accessories. Its always safe to step-up; you never want to use say, a 58mm filter on a lens needing a 72mm one. You'll get what's known as "vignetting" - the corners of your photo will be dark.

I strongly urge you to add a HAZE/UV filter and a Skylight* 1A (uncoated) or 1B (coated) filter to your shopping list if you don't already have them. The HAZE/UV filter removes the haze seen in scenics; the Skylight removes the bluish tint seen in photos taken in open shade or distant mountains.
More importantly, they protect the front element of your lens. It only takes one scratch or smudge to turn your lens into a paperweight. IMO no lens should go out into the world naked - it should always have a protective filter on.**

Also, after reading some of the horror stories in here - "I got my camera wet" or "My camera got sand in it" - you may as well check out cameraarmor.com and bonicadive.com. They offer protective covers for your camera - choose the one you like and add it to your shopping list.

* I have both the 1A & 1B. I use the 1A when I want to do special effects like putting a thin coat of vaseline or chapstick on the filter for special effects. You can put the vaseline on the outer edges for a sharp center and a blurry surrounding area. Since the filter is uncoated you can clean it with warm water and a mild soap.

** Years ago, at a festival, a 1B saved an expensive prime lens when a child touched it. I have no idea what that child had on his fingers but ir ruined the filter. A $15 filter saved a $400 lens.

Answer 5

familiar 72mm hoya filter

Answer 6

Maybe Jessops try them hope this helps