Hoya 58mm HMC Multicoated Circular Polarizer Filter

by Hoya

Product Details

• Item Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B00009R996
• Item model number: Y5POLC058
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #87 in Camera & Photo > Accessories > Filters > Polarizing Filters
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 17, 2003

Product Description

Light rays which are reflected by any surface become polarised and polarising filters are used to select which light rays enter your camara lens. They allow you to remove unwanted reflections from non-metallic surfaces such as water, glass etc. They also saturate colors and increase contrast. Polarizers come in two variations but have the same effect. Linear polarizers work with older camera meters; Circurlar polarizers are designed for today's newer split-beam metering systems used in auto focus cameras. Check your camera's manual.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Multicoated & Quality Manufacture, September 29, 2009

By 

The Squirrel (OH, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hoya 58mm HMC Multicoated Circular Polarizer Filter (Accessory)

Useful information for potential buyers:

If you are reading this, then it is assumed you know what a circular polarizer does and you want some more information to make your purchase.

I see many cheap filters sold on Amazon. I had to sort through them to find an acceptable choice. Therefore, I feel compelled to post a primer for buyers of filters explaining why the large price variance in filters:

- Pay attention to coating on filters. Coatings directly dictate quality of pictures and price.
- Cheap filters are not properly coated - they will cast reflections, excessively darken, or cause visual aberrations in your photographs - thus cheap results
- Proper filters are multi-coated to prevent the problems with cheap filters. Some are better coated than others.
- Filters also come in low profile to prevent vignetting - especially when stacked on top of other filters. This adds to cost.
- Expect to pay $50+, more likely $65+ for a proper polarizer. UV filters are cheaper in most cases.
- Logically, larger filters also cost more.

Hoya sells 3 main levels of filters. The cheap, uncoated/single coated ones are in a green box ("Green"). The multi-coated are denoted as HMC (Hoya Multi-Coated) and comes in a yellow package ("Yellow"). The pro are extensively coated and come in a blue package ("Blue" or "Pro").

The product you are looking at is a Yellow and is therefore HMC coated. The green usually yield unacceptable results and the HMC/Yellow should be the standard. This unit (Yellow) does NOT show reflections or other anomalies in photographs - thus the price point. The filter rotates smoothly and yields an acceptable polarizing effect as expected. No significant issues with threading it on a lens although it sticks a bit on occasion. I do note that the outer ring (the one to adjust the polarizing effect) has a much smoother feel than my more expensive Promaster.

I used this filter on a Canon 1.4, 55-250, and briefly on an 18-55 (kit lens).

I am satisfied with this purchase but note that I've gotten better deals at camera shops when it comes to buying filters.

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Must Have Accessory, August 3, 2007

By 

MDS "Spiraleyes" (Washington State) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hoya 58mm HMC Multicoated Circular Polarizer Filter (Accessory)

A polarizer is among the accessories every photographer should have with them when shooting outdoors during the day. While not all digital camera's require a circular polarizer to avoid problems with focusing, some do and most specifically this will be a necessity for dSLR's. Most super zoom digital camera's can get by with a linear polarizer which will cost a little less.

For those of you purchasing a polarizer, the Hoya HMC tends to be very well regarded because of the coatings used to reduce the amount of reflected light while minimizing reflection. For capturing the sky, landscape photography, cutting glass or water reflections, and cutting glare - the Hoya does a pretty good.

Caring for filters with multiple coatings such as the HMC requires that you make sure to follow the manufacturers recommendations, typically suggesting owners stick with no cleaning agents or those specifically designed to lift oils without eroding the coatings. In my experience, a combination of blower, brush, and soft cotton microweave cloth are all you need to keep the filter clean but for tougher issues like salt water spray, a clean and soft cloth that is moistened with tap water will help return the filter back to great condition. My first Hoya HMC was actually ruined because I tried to muscle out salt water spray which had dried on the filter, between the ruined coatings, scratches, and tiny pits this low cost but important accessory was ruined.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Polarizer, January 14, 2009

By 

Bookworm "Froggy's List" (Out of my mind) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hoya 58mm HMC Multicoated Circular Polarizer Filter (Accessory)

I have used this polarizer now for a few months on both my Canon 18-55 mm zomm and 55-250 mm zoom without encountering any issue. It turns the sky really blue and prevents reflection on water and other reflective surfaces without any vignetiing whatever focal length I have used.