49mm filters and Hoya....

MikePerham · 10-29-2009, 05:06 PM

Just reading up on Hoya's new HD filters. Seem they employ the LB (lighter brighter) technology of Singh-Ray polarizers and more importantly have the lens coating that sheds dust and water. One tester tried writing on the filter with a felt pen but the ink just beaded up waiting to be wiped off ...not so with the regular coating where the filter had to be scrapped. Problem is Hoya does not make it in a 49mm filter size ...you would think with all the Limited Lenses out there, manufactured by their own company - Pentax, that you would see some 49mm versions.

Pentax, if you are listening ...perhaps you could offer these under the Pentax brand.

little laker · 10-29-2009, 06:01 PM

They sound like nice filters.

I wonder if Pentax still make these lenses with a 49mm filter, or if they are just selling off some old stock

miks · 10-29-2009, 06:12 PM

the 50-200WR is 49mm...

sumo · 10-29-2009, 06:59 PM

I dunno about the Hoya HD filters but Kenko have a new line called Zeta and they have the same technology. Thin mount rings and thin glass with water an dust repellent coating and ultra high transmission rate. They come in 49mm size. FWIW, Hoya aren't available in Japan... I think they market stuff as Kenko here?

Spock · 10-29-2009, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by MikePerham

Just reading up on Hoya's new HD filters. Seem they employ the LB (lighter brighter) technology of Singh-Ray polarizers and more importantly have the lens coating that sheds dust and water.

My understanding is the HD stands for 'heavy duty' and as such they use hardened glass and a very damage resistant coating. Only the polarizing filters let through more light than the older filters though.

Spotmatic · 10-30-2009, 05:32 AM

Originally Posted by sumo

I dunno about the Hoya HD filters but Kenko have a new line called Zeta and they have the same technology. Thin mount rings and thin glass with water an dust repellent coating and ultra high transmission rate. They come in 49mm size. FWIW, Hoya aren't available in Japan... I think they market stuff as Kenko here?

You are correct. The Hoya HD and Kenko Zeta are the same. Kenko is marketed in Japan.

I have a Kenko Zeta 49mm and a Hoya HD 58mm.

MikePerham · 10-30-2009, 08:16 AM

Originally Posted by little laker

They sound like nice filters.

I wonder if Pentax still make these lenses with a 49mm filter, or if they are just selling off some old stock

I have three Limited lenses, all use 49mm filters. That is what started me looking at this....

MikePerham · 10-30-2009, 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by Spock

My understanding is the HD stands for 'heavy duty' and as such they use hardened glass and a very damage resistant coating. Only the polarizing filters let through more light than the older filters though.

HD stands for High Definition ...and yes they use hardened glass employing technology used in eye glass lenses. However, the hardened glass is not my bigest issue, optical quality and the coating are what interest me.

MikePerham · 10-30-2009, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by sumo

I dunno about the Hoya HD filters but Kenko have a new line called Zeta and they have the same technology. Thin mount rings and thin glass with water an dust repellent coating and ultra high transmission rate. They come in 49mm size. FWIW, Hoya aren't available in Japan... I think they market stuff as Kenko here?

I tried to find some info on the Zeta line with no luck. On the Kenko international site they talk about their new Pro 1D series and on the THK site they show an E series as their new product. These may well be the same filter using differing marketing names (why do companies do that in todays global village environment) but neither makes any mention to the water and dust repellent coating.

I even looked on Vistek, which is a very large pro dealer in Canada, and they show the Pro 1D filters, but again no mention of the coating.

Can you point me to a site that references the information you cited in your post. ...Thanks!

PS: Found them ...thanks! Henry's also sell them so just orderd 3 filters to get the discount, a circular polarizer, the UV and a protector, which was essentially free because it was the 3rd filter and allowed a discount that practically paid the cost of the filter.