Hoya HD3 circular polarising filter: Hi all, I am a beginner photographer, with a Nikon 610 & a Nikon 24-120, F4 lens. I am asking for advice on whether it's worth paying about $250...

Ikonomos Loc: Adelaide, South Australia

Hi all,
I am a beginner photographer, with a Nikon 610 & a Nikon 24-120, F4 lens.
I am asking for advice on whether it's worth paying about $250 for a Hoya HD3 circular polarising filter or getting a cheaper version.
Also how useful is such a filter.

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

Ikonomos wrote:

Hi all,
I am a beginner photographer, with a Nikon 610 & a Nikon 24-120, F4 lens.
I am asking for advice on whether it's worth paying about $250 for a Hoya HD3 circular polarising filter or getting a cheaper version.
Also how useful is such a filter.

In a word, no; based on what you said above, it is NOT worth paying $250. Not now anyway, maybe not for years, and maybe not ever.

There are many great posts and resources from UHH members on this site that had the same question that you should read.
The best answers to your question are probably going to be unique to you.
Most members are asking about what they are, when they are useful, and if spending more makes enough of a difference to merit the investment.
These questions tend to have rather personal circumstance and experience answers.

Here is where I would start:
1) First learn about what a polarizing filter is, does and when to use it.
2) Then, if it is something you wish to try, buy an inexpensive one for about $60.
3) Also, realize that you may wish to have one for each different lens depending on what you photograph.

You, and only you, will be able to constructively answer the question you posed, (unless you have $250 you don't need.... :roll: )

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Ikonomos wrote:

Hi all,
I am a beginner photographer, with a Nikon 610 & a Nikon 24-120, F4 lens.
I am asking for advice on whether it's worth paying about $250 for a Hoya HD3 circular polarising filter or getting a cheaper version.
Also how useful is such a filter.

According to this test, admittedly a bit old, no, it isn't. I use the Marumi, tied for #1.

http://www.lenstip.com/115.4-article-Polarizing_filters_test_Results_and_summary.html
http://www.lenstip.com/115.1-article-Polarizing_filters_test.html

And -

http://nikonrumors.com/2014/07/26/how-to-use-a-polarizing-filter.aspx/

Carlo Loc: Maryland, NW.Chesapeake Bay

Festina Lente wrote:

In a word, no; based on what you said above, it is... (show quote)

Very Well Stated..!! 8-)

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Ikonomos wrote:

Hi all,
I am a beginner photographer, with a Nikon 610 & a Nikon 24-120, F4 lens.
I am asking for advice on whether it's worth paying about $250 for a Hoya HD3 circular polarising filter or getting a cheaper version.
Also how useful is such a filter.

When buying filters you want quality. It makes no sense putting a cheap filter on a good lens. That said, $250 is a pretty steep price to pay. I don't about Hoya filters or what it is about the HD3 that makes Hoya think it is worth $250, but I use B+W filters and they are very good and you can get a good B+W CP for about $100 less than the Hoya filter you mention. One thing to keep in mind when buying any brand of filter is to get Multi coating.

donrent Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl

I would say that its next to impossible for a human eye to tell ANY differance between a $250 filter or a $60 filter, here is where common sense(cents) kicks in..................

pjarbit Loc: Detroit, Michigan

I use only L lenses from Canon. It drives me crazy to spend a lot of money on a lens and put junk glass in front of it. Be that as it may, I purchased circular polarizers from monoprice for less than $10.00. I tried side by side (10 dollar filter and Hoya) and could not tell the difference. I threw out the samples but they were the same.

Also, don't use circular polarizer on wide angle lenses. They sky will have dark, non-uniform areas from the polarizer.

You said you are a beginning photographer. Spend 10.00 and see if you like it. If you do, you may want to spend some more money.

http://www.monoprice.com/search/index?keyword=polarizing+filter

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

donrent wrote:

I would say that its next to impossible for a human eye to tell ANY differance between a $250 filter or a $60 filter, here is where common sense(cents) kicks in..................

Possibly. But I must have inhuman eyes or often sit next to Impossible, as I clearly see the differences.
I even reconfirm that observation each time I get a faster L lens and need one of the larger diameter ($$$) CPLs.
My solution to keep costs down is to use Cokin filters for stationary shooting, and screw mount CPLs for on the fly shooting.

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

For the best quality for the buck, with the emphasis on quality,
I favor the B+W XS-Pro Kaesemann High Transmission Circular Polarizer MRC-Nano Filters.
High light transmission (faster f-stops), brass threads (reduce galling), thin profile (for wide angle lenses) and scratch resistant nano coatings.
They work and really hold up!

Haydon

Some of the better CPL's seem to do a better job polarizing than others. I'd go with Lenstips and make a decision from there. I use a 82 mm B+W Nano MRC Slim and it didn't cost nearly as much as the one in question.

Leitz Loc: Solms

Then some of us never have need for a polarizer. Only buy one if you need it.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Festina Lente wrote:

In a word, no; based on what you said above, it is... (show quote)

If he doesn't need the 250 bucks, he could buy a perfectly good Hoya filter for $100 and send the extra 150 to me.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

donrent wrote:

I would say that its next to impossible for a human eye to tell ANY differance between a $250 filter or a $60 filter, here is where common sense(cents) kicks in..................

And the older we get, the more true that is. :D

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

jerryc41 wrote:

And the older we get, the more true that is. :D

My day was going along just fine until you brought age into the equation! :XD:

Ernie Misner Loc: Lakewood, WA

Yes, the Hoya HD3 is the best PL filter out there right now. It is truly much brighter and easier to use than previous versions. Check prices at B&H photo or Adorama though. $250 might be the price for a huge size; normal sizes should be cheaper. So if you are in this for the long haul and plan to do a lot of outdoor photography, the HD3 is a great investment. I have tried many brands over the years and this is a game changer. I love mine.