Home > Consumer Reviews > Hoya 77mm Extra Thin Circular Polarizer Super Multi Coated Glass Filter

If you're planning to use this polarizer with a hood on, especially a deeper one, this is probably not a filter for you. For whatever reason Hoya only serrated the outer edge, and the front part is absolutely smooth. You won't be able to turn it unless you can somehow squeeze your finger between the hood and the filter edge.

For a few dollars more you can get B&W multi-coated filter like this, whose maker put a little bit more thought in the design. B&W also seems generally better built.

The coating on my copy of this Hoya doesn't actually reach the very edge of the glass on one side, and when I look closely I can see a gap in coating where the metal ring meets the glass. The gap is tiny and it doesn't actually matter in the photos, but it does leave a bad impression.

Optically I haven't noticed anything obviously wrong with it. It's still a multi-coated polarizer, so guess it's an okay value all-in-all.

If you're going to invest in a filter to enhance your photos, you are better off with anti-reflective coated optics. The backside AR eliminates internal reflections and gives a sharper image than regular filters. It is the difference between purchasing a Maui Jim sunglass with backside AR that eliminates reflections from your eye and paying $250- $300 and going to Wally World and buying some acrylic-lensed piece of junk for $29.95. The might both be polarized, there is a huge difference in optical quality. Quality counts!

I bought this polarizer for my Canon IS 17-85 mm lens and think the picture quality is good. The reason I chose this thin polarizer was to reduce the possibility of vignetting (and I haven't experienced any).
But the slim design also gives some troubles when it comes to turning the filter to get the desired effect, simply because it is hard to get a ok grip on the turning ring without touching the glass itself. I never had this kind of trouble with the polarizer I use with my 58mm diameter lens.
Also I experienced that the original lens cap won't fit when the filter is attached.

The polarizer is definitely thin, and does its job well. My only knock is the lens cap, you can't leave it on with the lens hood on, and you can't reverse the lens hood with the cap on. The cap's lips are thick enough to prevent this. I like to walk with the camera in a ready position, but with the lens cap on just in case while walking with the camera facing down nothing like a small rock can jump up at my lens face.

hth,
/rob

The first thing I noticed when I received this filter was how thin it really is. Then I screwed it onto my lens and began to try it out. Well, ol' "Fat Fingers" could barely turn the polarizer ring...I was unscrewing the filter to turn the ring. I found that it is easier if you grab the filter's ring more from the front. This can cause your hand to be in the way when you are trying to look through the camera's lens to determine the filter's effect. I worked with it a bit and now I feel comfortable using it.

Now I needed to photograph some scenic landscapes. So I went to the Bend Big country in West Texas where the skies were clear and blue during December of '07. Yes, I was pleased with the functionality of the filter. It does a good job of removing glare which also increases color saturation and contrast. And I have noticed no ill effects to my photographs, including no vignetting at my lens's widest angle (equivalent to a 28mm lens on a 35mm format camera.) That is something my old filter used to do and since I shoot a lot of landscapes it is the reason I purchased this one.

This is a very good quality filter though it does take a bit of work to grasp the ring to turn it. I'm glad it is in my camera bag.