Photography News Issue 51

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Photography News | Issue 51 | photographynews.co.uk

The difference is clear The journey to great photography starts with light passing through the lens and onto the sensor. If you use a filter it needs to be the best you can afford so those rays of light reach the sensor unscathed. Leading filter brand Hoya has introduced two new filter ranges that can do that job brilliantly

Taking high-quality photographs is simple and it all starts with the lens. It is the lens that gathers the light and focuses it onto the digital sensor; how well a lens does this determines image quality. But there is a stage before the lens and light has first to pass through the filter on to the front of the lens, so it makes sense to use the best quality filters possible, such as new NX-10 and Ultra-Pro ranges from world renowned filter brand Hoya. Both ranges feature ultra-violet (UV) and circular polarising filters in a full range of screw-in sizes, from 37mm to 82mm and are available exclusively in the UK through selected retailers (see opposite). The flagship Ultra-Pro range is stain and scratch resistant plus it’s water and oil repellent. For maximum light transmissionUltra- Pro filters feature 16 anti-reflective coatings with 99.5% of light passing

through in the case of the UV filter and 90% for the polariser. The NX-10 is equally impressive with ten coatings on the UV filter to give 98% light transmission. It is also water and oil repellent. As with many high-value consumer items, you should be aware that fake Hoya filters are on the market. Fakes may resemble the real thing on the surface but they will not deliver the same quality performance. If you see what are claimed as Hoya filters at bargain prices, check them thoroughly. Fake filters may feel poorly engineered and you may see misspellings like ‘Mode in Japan’, so if you have any doubts, steer clear. To avoid the risk of buying fake Hoya filters, the NX-10 and Ultra- Pro ranges are available exclusively through a selected network of UK retailers so you can buy from them in complete confidence.

The joy of UV – for protection

The polariser explained

both offer circular polarisers. The ‘circular’ is not a reference to the filter’s round shape, but to its design and how it works. This polariser type is ideal for all autofocus cameras. Hoya uses the finest optical glass and polarising film for neutral results so you won’t get a colour cast. In the case of the Ultra-Pro, 16 anti-reflective coatings have been applied for flare-free results and maximum light transmission. Water and oil repellent coatings have been used too. Hoya’s polarisers also feature a very thin rotating frame to minimize any risk of vignetting with ultra wide-angle lenses and its smooth rotation makes it easy to use. The filter’s front has a thread to accept another filter if needed.

The polariser is the single most useful filter in photography and with no more than a simple twist of the filter in its rotating mount can transform a good image into something truly spectacular. The polariser’s value comes from its versatility. It can reduce reflections off glass, water and painted surfaces, enhance blue skies and saturate colours. One extra job of the polariser is that it can be used to allow you to set a longer shutter speed. Furthermore, its effects can’t be truly replicated in editing software so the polariser must be used at the time of capture. It is a really powerful piece of kit and its usefulness is beyond measure. The NX-10 and Ultra-Pro ranges fromHoya

Image Facing towards the sun can cause flare and ghosting that can spoil your pictures. Hoya usesmulti-coating

to help deliver high-contrast

photographs free of such problems.

With polariser

coated UV filter such as the NX-10 or Ultra-Pro version so you don’t affect the light entering the lens. Poor quality filters can soften the image and be affected by flare and ghosting when shooting towards the light. The example above illustrates this well and shows how well these new Hoya filters deal with tricky lighting. So while the UV filter might appear not to actually add much to your picture-taking, its role is very important and can save your lens from irreparable harm. It’s definitely worth having a UV filter permanently left on every lens you own, so take a look at the NX-10 or Ultra-Pro range.

issues can be corrected with a change of white-balance or during editing should it happen. Secondly, the UV filter protects your lens from scratching and physical damage. It stops dust and water getting onto the lens front element, and it can be cleaned with a wipe of a microfibre cloth. If you get dust or water on the lens itself you’d be more circumspect cleaning it because if it gets damaged there might not be much you can do about it. Scratch a filter and it can be replaced cheaply. Fitting a UV filter to every lens you own is recommended but it is important to use a high quality multi-

At first glance the UV filter looks like a piece of plain glass yet nothing could be further from the truth: it’s an advanced piece of optical engineering featuring high-tech coatings to deliver outstanding performance. In the case of the Hoya Ultra-Pro, 16 coatings give 99.5% light transmission helping your camera sensor to deliver images of outstanding clarity, detail and contrast. The UV filter has two jobs. Firstly, it cuts out excessive UV radiation which is important with film photography because it stops your pictures looking blue or cool which can happen at the coast, in the mountains or on clear blue sky days. With digital capture such

Without polariser