Hoya HMC vs. Hoya S-HMC?

[ralf_strandell]

Hi,

 

I would like someone more knowledgeable to tell whether I made a good

choice regarding filters or not.

 

I'm looking for a polarizer for my Nikon 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. It's

going to be used at lakes and on seashore and on mountains to remove

reflections from water (and snow/ice).

 

I have two options: Hoya S-HMC coated circ. polarizer or a Hoya HMC

coated circ. polarizer + UV filter.

 

I guess that the CPL+UV combo would work better for sea and mountains

than a plain CPL. The combo has slightly less coatings (HMC vs.

S-HMC), but as I can use the filter with a lens hood, the coating

doesn't matter. Does it?

 

So, was it wise to get the combo with less coatings? Or should I still

change my pending order to include a plain CPL with a bit better coatings?

 

Thanks

[mike_elek]

With a polarizer, I don't see that much of a benefit going to the S-HMC model, although I could (probably) be wrong.

 

Also, with an 18mm lens, I'd be careful about stacking filters, as you might run into vignetting issues, unless both are low profile filters. I thought that a polarizer also would filter UV rays, which would eliminate the need for the UV.

[ralf_strandell]

The CPL+UV combo is actually a single 5mm thick filter:

 

"Hoya Ultra Polarizing filters are a combination of a UV filter and a Circular Polarizer. They are intended for wide-angle lenses, are 5mm thick, and do not have a front thread."

 

( Why would anyone need UV filtering on a CPL? Isn't scattered UV polarized already? Maybe the combination is more effective at high altitude? Maybe there is some direct UV light too, especially for backlit situations? I don't know. Maybe it's just a marketing trick... Anyway, it can't harm, can it? )

[melresnick]

Ralf, you might check Calumet's website for their re-branded Hoya supermulticoated ultrathin circular polarizers. I bought one that -- as far as I can tell -- exactly matches Hoya's specs at a saving of about $50 for a 77mm filter. Here's the address of the page that has these filters:

http://www.calumetphoto.com/ctl?PAGE=Controller&ac.ui.pn=common.ShowParent&spName=CALTECHSMCFILTERS

 

Hoya's version comes with a plastic push-on cap; Calumet's don't, but they're even packed in Hoya's plastic box with Calumet's label.

[david_lau3]

Try to avoid those slim CPL that do not have a front thread. The push on lens caps coming with the filter tend to get loose quickly.

 

There are better design such as the Nikon CPL II that is slim and also has a front thread.