Hoya HD3 circular polarising filter (Page 3): B&H sells this in 77mm for $199. You can also buy a step down ring to use it on other lens. I have this filter and have no complaints...

turp77 Loc: Connecticut, Plainfield

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.

B&H sells this in 77mm for $199. You can also buy a step down ring to use it on other lens. I have this filter and have no complaints

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

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.

Personally, I prefer B+W filters. The XS-Pro Kaesemann High Transmission Circular Polarizer MRC-Nano Filter is priced a bit lower than that.

It definitely is worth having, but either will require knowledge and technique to use.
--Bob

Carl D Loc: Albemarle, NC.

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.

I would suggest the X-Source 100mm filters with holder and 26 pieces ($26.95)
and a book called "filters" all from Amazon. This will give you a great foundation. This package will fit all sizes of lenses.

tuck Loc: Haverhill Massachusetts

Ernie Misner wrote:

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.

:thumbup:

Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.

Ernie Misner wrote:

My HD3 is so bright that I can leave it on well into night time shooting. That was impossible with older PL filters.

******************************************
My Hasselblad Polar filter needs only one stop increase in exposure. Most Polar's are 2-21/2 stops. What is the increase needed with this HD3?

Leitz Loc: Solms

turp77 wrote:

B&H sells this in 77mm for $199. You can also buy a step down ring to use it on other lens. I have this filter and have no complaints

A step-down ring will only allow a 77mm filter to fit on a larger lens thread. For a smaller lens a step-up ring is required.

OviedoPhotos

I use B&W, also tied for 1st place.

davidk2020 Loc: San Diego

Mac wrote:

The OP has the 24-120mm f/4 lens. I have that lens, it's a great lens, and it takes a 77mm filter which is pretty big.

Then he's looking at the wrong size filter. $250 is for the 82mm filter. So no, if he has the one lens, he shouldn't buy it.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

The primary reason for using a CPL is to remove reflective glare for surfaces in order to 'see' surface detail. Think bringing out the detail in a coin. To varying degrees, all reflective light is polarized. The last CPL I bought cost around $15 and anything over that is a rip-off. Another example. Suppose you are doing a distant scenery shot but owing to light polarization you can't bring out the detail in the clouds - depending on the angle to the sun and your shooting direction a CPL might enable bringing out some or more cloud detail. Such is a specialty situation in which cloud detail sings mood.

wbstrong Loc: Lexington, Kentucky

I believe that this is the filter that the OP is asking about.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1177598-REG/hoya_xhd3_77uv_77mm_hd3_uv_filter.html#!

wbstrong Loc: Lexington, Kentucky

No. I am sorry that is a uv filter.

wbstrong Loc: Lexington, Kentucky

The correct link to the filter at B & H is:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1177611-REG/hoya_xhd3_77crpl_77mm_hd3_circular_polarizer.html

happy sailor Loc: Ontario, Canada

Pablo8 wrote:

******************************************
My Hasselblad Polar filter needs only one stop increase in exposure. Most Polar's are 2-21/2 stops. What is the increase needed with this HD3?

I have the hoya hd cp and it has been very good, the hd series is quite a bit tougher than the other lines. I read in the literature for the hd3 that it decreases exposure by 1/3 of a stop.

My hd version was 1 stop. One of the reasons i went with it over a b+w was it let more light in.

JohnFrim Loc: Somewhere in the Great White North.

happy sailor wrote:

I have the hoya hd cp and it has been very good, the hd series is quite a bit tougher than the other lines. I read in the literature for the hd3 that it decreases exposure by 1/3 of a stop.

My hd version was 1 stop. One of the reasons i went with it over a b+w was it let more light in.

Anyone know if polarization effectiveness or strength is related to light transmission and f-stop? I would think the "stronger" the polarization the darker the filter, but maybe there are new technologies that can polarize the light with less loss of intensity.

MtnMan Loc: ID

jerryc41 wrote:

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/

I also use the Marumi and like it. They have raised prices since I bought mine.

Be sure to get a thin one or you might have a vignetting issue at the wide angle end of your lens.

I have recently seen some that claim to not attract dust. It might be another Marumi. Anyhow next time I get one I'll look for that.