All Polarizers are not equal

[schuster]

I've been using Hoya filters since the 1960s on Hasselblads and Nikons. Recently, I bought a Fujifilm 100S, and with the freedom of hand-holding MF came (new to me) magnetic filters. Kase seemed to be popular, so I bought a "starter kit" yesterday, consisting of an ND 8, ND 64 and a circular polarizer. Separately, I bought a couple of lens adapters and a magnetic lens hood. Playing around with establishing a routine for storage, retrieval and attaching the filters, I stumbled upon one of my old Hoya polarizers that happened to fit my Fujinon 110 just right. Holding it up to my eye, I was very surprised to see the marked difference in effect between the Hoya and Kase. I thought you might be interested. These were shot on the Fujifilm 100S, changing only the shutter speed. What do you think?


No filter


Kase polarizer


Hoya polarizer


No filter


Kase polarizer


Hoya polarizer

 

[biglouis]

Maybe my eyes are going but the Hoya seems to leave more fine details than the Kase?
My friend is an optician and as I understand it Hoya make most of the lenses for glasses in the world.
Which is encouraging because I have always used Hoya filters (where I can) for as long as I can remember.
I'm not planning to switch any time soon.

 

[Knorp]

All I see is more contrast in the Hoya shot

 

[schuster]

Maybe my eyes are going but the Hoya seems to leave more fine details than the Kase?

Your eyes are spot-on, Louis. The Hoya removed almost all specular highlights from the iron grate, allowing the texture through.

 

[schuster]

Here's a better example: Everything except shutter speed is the same with the three images. Fujifilm GFX 100S, Fujinon 110mm lens. Both filters were rotated to their highest effect.


No Filter


Kase Polarizer


Hoya Polarizer