Last Updated on January 23, 2022

Hoya Filters Guide

The two most popular basic filters are the colourless ultraviolet (UV) or haze filter and the faintly amber-tinted Skylight filter. Both are designed primarily for use with SLR-Cameras and DSLR-Cameras.

However, since they have little effect on black-and-white photography and do not require any changes in exposure, many photographers simple leave one of them on the camera at all times to protect the lens’s vulnerable front glass element.

A scratched filter is far less expensive to replace than a lens.

The Skylight filter also reduces the effects of ultraviolet radiation, but in addition, its slight amber tint reduces the bluishness of light in open shade and on overcast days. A skylight filter does not affect other colours noticeably.“

Hoya has Different Types of Filters:

• UV filters Block or absorb ultraviolet (UV) light.
• Skylight filters Designed to reduce the slightly blue cast.
• ND filters Neutral density filter(LEE filter).
• ND Graduated filter Is an optical filter that has a variable light transmission.
• Effect filters Star Filters, Fog filters, Centre Spot Filters, Day For Night Filters, Enhancing Filters.
• Polarizing filters can reduce reflections, darken a blue sky, and add richness to colours.

Hoya HMC UV Filter Review

Hoya HMC (Multi-coated) is to minimise light reflections to reduce ghost and flares, and most important to keep safe the lens from scratches.

How To Use Hoya Filters

Hoya Filter Range Explained

Skylight (1B)

Reduce the excessive bluishness that frequently occurs in outdoor photography, especially in the open blue sky. Also keeps skin tones free of coloured reflections from nearby objects such as the shades of trees.

UV

Absorbs the ultraviolet rays which makes outdoor photographs hazy and indistinct. A multi-purpose, fine filter for any lens. Also serves as a permanent lens protector.

PL (Polarizing)

Well, know for the effect of eliminating reflections from non-metallic surfaces such as water, windows… Also highly effective for colours to appear brighter, more transparent and better contrast.

PL-CIR (Circular Polarizing)

Similar to PL filter, except the light rays are circular, not linear, after passing through the PL-CIR filter.

ND (Neutral Density) X2, X4, X8

These are neutral density filters used to control the amount of light entering the camera lens for the following reasons:

• Stop some light from entering the lens.
• To lower the shutter speed for special occasions.
• To decrease the depth of field.

Yellow K2, Orange (G), Red (25A)

• Useful for clear contrast between blue sky with clouds and foreground. Used on SLR film camera lenses.
• Orange increases contrast between reds and yellows, sunsets and seascapes.
• The Red filter is effective for increasing contrast. Good for dramatic cloud effects in landscapes.

Yellow Green (X0), Green (X1)

• Used primarily for black and white photography.
• X0 is highly capable for outdoor portraits because red is rendered dark while green appears lighter. Great for correcting skin tones.

Hoya Filters for Special Effects

Centre Spot / Colour Spot

• A close-up lens filter with a hole in the centre, soft focus effect while the central image is sharply focused.
• A coloured glass filter with a hole in its centre ( yellow, green, red).

Split-Field Filter

One half of a close-up lens with the other half open. One-half of the pictures receive a close-up effect while the other is normal. Both very close and far subjects can be in focus at the same time. Or one-half of the picture can be out of focus for special effects.

Fog Filter (A) (B) Filters

Lightly will cover the entire picture in white. Fog B has a stronger effect than Fog A. The effect can be varied by changing the aperture of the lens, but stopping down to far will reduce the impact.

Diffuser

Diffuser filter gives a soft-focus effect due to its irregularly uneven surface. Good for portraits.

Hoya Cross Screen, Star-Six, Star-Eight Filters

Adds a dramatic four-cross flare to very bright areas, giving a soft focus effect.

Multivision Filters

Available in 5 types: 3PF, 3F, 5F, 6F and 6PF. Made of optical glass precisely cut into a variety of facets. Helps create a fantastic composition of colour patterns and combinations of effects.

Half-colour, Dual-colour, Tricolour Filters

Half-colour is similar to dual-colour except one-half is clear. Set in a rotating frame for effects. The dual filter is available in a variety of two colours combinations.

Contrasting foreground and background, land and sea are only a few of the possibilities. Tricolour is divided into three colour sections. Available in 2 types: Parallel and Triangle.

Hoya PL-Colour and Vario PL-Colour Filters

PL-Colour is available in 4 types: B-Blue, Y-Yellow, O-Orange, R-Red. Any colour from grey to the full intensity of the filter can be obtained by rotating the filter frame.

Vario filters are available in 5 types: Y/B, Y/G, Y/R, R/B, R/G. This filter is a combination of one grey polarizing filter and two coloured filters. The colour can be varied by rotating the frame filter.

Hoya Spectral Star Filters:

Andromeda

Bright points of lights are converted into linear, ghost-like images.

Pulsator

Each point of light becomes a burst of colour of equal energy.

Nebula

Whirling motion of light. Most effective when there are bright spots in the picture.

Hoya Close-up Filters For Close-up Photography

Close-up

This filters are available in +1, +2, +3 and +4 for close-up photography. Dept of field is shallow so use as small aperture as possible.

Zoom Close-up

Attached to the camera lens, Zoom Close-up can be rotated to vary the magnification ratio from about +2 to +10. Provider better control of composition.

Hoyarex Filter System / Complete Guide

Hoyarex Filter System using the same principle system of Cokin Creative Filter System.

The Hoyarex adds new dimensions to your photography by opening up the exciting world of special effects. The Hoyarex Guide shows you how to take your own creatively shots with easy to follow step by step instructions.

How the Hoyarex Filter System Works

Unlike conventional round filters, all Hoyarex Glass and Plastic filters are one standard size: 76 x 76mm, 3 x 3″ and are designed to slide into the Hoyarex Filter Holder.

Therefore even if you have lenses of different diameter filter sizes, all you need is one Filter Holder plus the appropriate screw-in Adapter Ring.

How to Use Hoyarex Filter System

The filter holder and adapter ring are simple to install:

1. Simply screw the Adapter Ring onto your lens.

2. Snap-on the Filter Holder.

3. Slide the filter into the grooves.

Hoyarex Adapter Ring

Depending on the Adapter Ring, the Hoyarex Filter System is suitable for lenses with 43, 43.5, 46, 49, 52, 55, 58, 62, 67, and 72mm filter threads.

Hoyarex Filter Holder

There are two sets of grooves in the Holder for using a different combination of Hoyarex Filters.

Groove 1 – Allows either one or two Hoyarex Filters to be fitted. The filters may be slid from both top and bottom for unique colours or other effects.

Groove 2 – Has a stop on the bottom of the holder for easy alignment of the lens centre with the centre of a single square filter. This groove also allows you to use most other interchangeable filters. Hoyarex Holder gives you the flexibility to use one, two or three filters at once.

Use more than one Holder

Multiply your choice of filters combinations and special effects by connecting other Hotaresx Filter Holders. Additionally, you can rotate each holder individually to create your own style of creative photography.

The Adapter Ring and Filter Holder are designed to allow the holder to be rotated and stopped at any vary the effect.

Lens Hood for Hoyarex Holder

Hoya builds this lens hood to fit on the Hoyarex Filter Holder. It can be adjusted for use with wide-angle, standard or telephoto lenses.

The plastic filters are not coated the same way as conventional Hoya round filters, so a lens shade helps to reduce undesirable flare and surface reflections.

Hoyarex Filters for Special Effects

Hoyarex Filter System Range Explained:

Skylight (1B)

Reduce the excessive bluishness that frequently occurs in outdoor photography, especially in the open blue sky. Also keeps skin tones free of coloured reflections from nearby objects such as the shades of trees.

UV

Absorbs the ultraviolet rays which makes outdoor photographs hazy and indistinct. A multi-purpose, fine filter for any lens. Also serves as a permanent lens protector.

PL (Polarizing Linear and Circular)

Well, know for the effect of eliminating reflections from non-metallic surfaces such as water, windows… Also highly effective for colours to appear brighter, more transparent and better contrast.

Useful for creating stunning dark blue skies in landscape and seascape shots, best results are obtained with the sun directly behind you.

Hoyarex Sepia Filter

Sepia gives portraits, still, lifes and indoor that special antique touch.

Hoyarex Softener (A and B)

It adds a special subdued feeling to portraits and is applicable in most photographic situations including scenery and still lifes. Use of small aperture or wide-angle lens may make the soft-focus effect irregular.

Hoyarex Soft Spot / Mist Spot Filters

Hoyarex Soft Spot and Mist Spot is popular for wedding, portrait and still life photography. Soft Spot leaves the centre of the photograph sharp and clear while the surrounding picture area is thrown out of focus for a white, misty soft-focus effect.

Hoyarex Fog Filter

The Fog covers the entire picture area while the fog half filter has its density graduated to cover only half the picture. Both filters give a general soft-focus as well as a white foggy and mist effect.

Hoyarex Gradual Colour Filters

Gradual colour filters (G2, B2, T2, M2, P2, E2, Y2)

Using two different coloured filters, one with its coloured section at the top of the frame and the other coloured section at the bottom, you can create interesting dual colour effects.

Hoyarex Multivision Filter (5)

Multivision filter is using high-quality optical glass ground and polished into 5 surfaces, this filter lets you duplicate your subject.

The rest of the filter included in the Hoyarex Filter System are:

• Star ( 4, 6, 8)
• Diffraction ( 2x, 4x, 8x, 18x, 36x, 48x and Halo)
• Split Field
• Close-Up ( +1, +2, +3, +4)
• TEchnical Mask ( 15 black vinyl masks)
• Vignetter ( 5 black vinyl masks)
•  Double Mask ( 5 different pairs of preshape masks)
• Dual Image

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For more information on Hoya filters, take a look at the Hoya Filters catalogue. To buy go to the best place online Wex Photo Video. 

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