About the Hoya HMC Super 72MM PL-CIR Polarising Filter
The Hoya HMC Super 72mm PL-CIR Polarising Filter is an advanced optical filter designed to significantly enhance photographic and videographic image quality by selectively controlling reflected light and managing color saturation. As a circular polariser, its primary function is to reduce or eliminate unwanted reflections from non-metallic surfaces such as water, glass, foliage, and wet surfaces, allowing the camera to capture the true colors and details beneath the glare. This is achieved through a specialized laminated construction that includes a linear polarising film and a quarter-wave retarder plate, which circularises the polarised light so that modern camera metering and autofocus systems can function correctly. By rotating the filter's front ring, the photographer can precisely control the intensity of this effect, from a subtle reduction of haze to the complete removal of a reflection, providing creative control over the final composition in real time.
Beyond reflection management, this filter profoundly impacts color rendition and contrast. By cutting through atmospheric haze and scattered blue light, it increases color saturation and purity, making skies appear deeper blue and clouds more dramatically defined while rendering foliage with richer, more vibrant greens. This results in images with greater depth, clarity, and visual punch straight out of the camera, reducing the need for extensive post-processing. The Hoya HMC Super variant signifies a high-performance tier within Hoya's lineup, featuring multi-layer, super-pro Hydrophobic Multi-Coating (HMC) on both sides of the optical glass. This sophisticated coating serves multiple purposes: it drastically reduces lens flare and ghosting caused by internal reflections, repels water, oil, and dust for easier cleaning, and ensures maximum light transmission for accurate exposure.
Constructed with precision, the filter features a slim, brass frame to minimize the risk of vignetting on wide-angle lenses and includes a front thread to allow for stacking additional filters if necessary. The 72mm diameter is a common filter size for professional-grade telephoto and standard zoom lenses. The polarising effect is most potent when the camera is positioned at approximately a 90-degree angle to the sun, offering landscape, architectural, and travel photographers a powerful tool to transform ordinary scenes into striking images. The Hoya HMC Super PL-CIR filter is therefore not merely an accessory but an essential creative tool for serious photographers seeking to achieve superior image quality and expanded creative control directly at the point of capture.