Is HVstar legit/ Which filter?

[Canon Soldier]

Hey guys, i've heard some people talk about this site called HVstar, and from what i gathered, they operate in Hong Kong (yikes)! Are they legitimate or a total rip off? Are their filters the same as filters from sasy, BH, or someother well known reputable dealer? Also, if it turns out HVstar is legit, i just got 2 lenses, a tammy 28-75, and a ef 70-200 f/4L. Both have a a 67mm thread and i want to get one UV/Protective filter that i can slap on when i know i will be using them for long periods of time. SO my second question is: What is the absolute best UV/Protective filter that i can buy, that wont signifigantly degrade IQ. I've been looking, and it looks like the Hoya Pro-1 Digital Multi Coated should be a good candidate. Any opinions? Has anybody dealed with HVstar.net?

[Canon Soldier]

also, whats the difference in these filters?

http://hvstar.net/index.asp?PageAction=PRODSEARCH&txtSearch=B%2BW+67mm+UV&Page=1

[aia21]

B+W are regarded as the best with Hoya Pro close behind and cheaper. I personally went with B+W and am extremely happy.

HVstar is legit if we can believe many POTN members who have ordered from them! I have placed an order for a B+W MRC Kaesemann CPL filter with them but that was only a couple of days ago so it has not even been dispatched yet (website says "ready for dispatch so I assume it will be shipped on the next working day)...

As to your second post, the difference is that the cheaper filter is not multi coated, i.e. do not buy it!!!, only buy the multi coated filters, i.e. the MRC version. The coating makes a big difference to image quality according to all tests I have read.

Also at least as far as B+W filters are concerned the BRASS mount filters are considered better to the ALLOY mount ones as the latter apparently can get stuck to your lens much easier in particular when the weather is warmer. I only have brass ones so can't say how true this is as I don't have any alloy ones to compare with.

Best regards,

Anton

[Canon Soldier]

thx! I kind of thinking it gonna be between the Hoya Pro 1 DMC and the B+W F-Pro Multi Coated. I think i'm leaning towards the Hoya, because it says it transmits 99.7 percent of the lgith, wheras the B+W doesn't evne mention it. Also, i've heard Hoyas are easier to clean...

[aia21]

You have read something different to me then. Everywhere I have read everyone has said that the B+W are much easier to clean and that Hoya in particular are very difficult to clean! Example:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=3712989&postcount=12

My B+W UV filters certainly clean very easily. Start with my blower followed by just a bit of huff of hot air on the filter so it fogs up and then a clean lens tissue in circular motion and its completely clean. Cleaning the lens before I put the filter on was a lot harder. It kept smudging until I used lens cleaning fluid on a pad and had to do that twice before I got it really clean... Now I just keep the B+W filters on all my lenses all the time and cleaning them is very easy even after my one-year-old catches me out and sticks his hand through the lens hood onto the filter of the 17-55 front element. :)

Best regards,

Anton

[seaside]

Helipan, B+W, Hoya Pro 1 along with several others are top of the line. I use the Pro1 Clear with great results. BD (Before Digital) I used a lot of B+W and Heliopan and loved them.

One thing to keep in mind, if using a super wide angle lens you would be wise to spend a few more dollars and get the "thin" or "slim" filters. This should eliminate vignetting. Also, if the occasion arrises and you want to stack filters the thin ones would help. Caution however - (some thin or slim filters don't have treads on the outside).

Chris

[Choderboy]

I have bought filters at HV Star several times.
Shipping is slow, 2-3 weeks usually.
I find Hoyas hard to clean , no problems with B+W.

[Grentz]

hvstar is great, Kenko/Hoya Pro-1 are great.

I liked the price and could not justify the 2-3x the cost for B+W.

[rklepper]

also, whats the difference in these filters?

http://hvstar.net/index.asp?PageAction=PRODSEARCH&txtSearch=B%2BW+67mm+UV&Page=1

One is coated the other is multicoated. Make sure that you get the MRC version. And if it were me I would avoid the Kenko or Hoya. Stick to the heliopan of B+W. Do not scrimp on a filter or you will be sorry that you did.

[Grentz]

One is coated the other is multicoated. Make sure that you get the MRC version. And if it were me I would avoid the Kenko or Hoya. Stick to the heliopan of B+W. Do not scrimp on a filter or you will be sorry that you did.

The Pro1 from Kenko/Hoya are awesome filters...very comparable to the B+W for about 1/4 the price (from hvstar) from what I have seen

[Canon Soldier]

thanks guys! so then would the second filter on the link i provided be a good choice? Looks like it...is that second BW one probably the best filter i could get?

[aia21]

Yes it would be a good choice.

It is not the best one could get as it is the "alloy" mount version rather than the "brass" mount version and at least according to what I have read the "brass" versions are better.

I personally only have the brass versions of B+W filters so do not know how the alloy version compares...

Having said all that it looks like HVstar only have the alloy version so if you want to buy from them you would need to go with that.

Best regards,

Anton

[r.morales]

I have both Hoya and B+W . Hoya's are a lot harder to clean .
Speaking of cleaning , I have at least 2 of each filter - it's easier to change a filter than clean - change it most of the time .
HVSTAR is slow - 2 to 3 weeks at best . You should watch in market section - filters show up all the time for sale .
If you buy them , get the ones coated on both sides - helps with ghosting / flares / hot spots . Coating on both sides don't reflect / bounce light rays between the lens and filter .
The anodizing these days have just about eliminated galling - but given a choice I go for brass .

[aia21]

just to say HVstar rocks! I ordered last Thursday evening and the order arrived yesterday (Wednesday), i.e. less than a week turnaround. Pretty impressive given it comes from Hong Kong and I am in UK.

Best regards,

Anton

[aridan]

Bought from HVStar numerous times without any incidents whatsoever.

[johnz]

Yeah, hvstar rocks!
I orderder a CPL filter from them, arrived to me in two weeks marked as a gift :)

I actually returned to their site to get some serioud ND's, but..
Unfortunately they dont sell the B+W ND 1000x filter ( 10 stop nd ). I even asked them by e-mail, the darkest one they had is the 64x :(

[ben_r_]

I have bought many filters from hvstar. They are awesome and def the best price out there. I just wish they carried more filters...

[devil350]

I have bought many filters from hvstar. They are awesome and def the best price out there. I just wish they carried more filters...

I agree, same experience here and I'm very happy.
I bought all my B+W filters from them.

Laurent.

[Mystwalker]

I only have B&W MRCs on my "L" lens.

Bought a B&W CPL a couple weeks back - product arrived pretty quickly (like 7 days). They also provided tracking number - I didn't even know this was possible for international shipments.

Will definitely go back to HVstar for future B&W needs.

You save more on Hoya then on B&W though (compared to US pricing).

[corporallouis]

I've looked over HVStar's site and some things are indeed cheap. BUT, when putting a filter over some L glass I DO NOT want cheap. They do carry the B+W line of filters which I believe are one of the top two filters on the market. However, I have been dealing with an AMERICAN firm in New Hampshire which have HVStar's prices beat on B+W MRC Polarizer filters. Their price on my particular filter, a 77mm MRC circular polarizer, was $111.11 plus $4.66 shipping. . . FREE in the U.S. for orders over $ 66.00 if I recall correctly. HVStar's price for the same filter is $117.50 plus $9.90 shipping from Hong Kong. Now I don't know about you, but I like to keep my money close to home if I can, I don't really like fueling someone else's economy. Check out this site and compare prices for filters. I think you might get a surprise on this. I admit I am not American but I am Canadian, and I'd rather take my chances with someone in New Hampshire than someone in Hong Kong if I have a problem with my order. No affiliation . . just a very satisfied customer . . . . .
www.2filter.com (http://www.2filter.com)

[aia21]

Hi corporallouis,

I am afraid it looks like you made a series of mistakes. First you are comparing apples to oranges and second you did not buy one of the best filters with your $111.11...

HVstar.net sells the 77mm MRC circular polarizer as you say for $117.50 but you are wrong about the 2filter prices. From their website it is clear that they sell that filter for $145.11. There is a similar filter priced at $111.11 as you say but that is not a MRC filter which will visibly degrade image quality if we can believe the various comparisons between MRC and non-MRC filters to be found online...

HVstar.net doesn't actually sell the non-MRC version at all and if they did I am pretty sure it would be a lot cheaper than $111.11 given their MRC version is $117.50...

Sorry to be giving you the bad news!

Best regards,

Anton

[KPBara]

Another + vote for HVStar. Got my filter in 10 days, well packaged.

Quick comment on Alloy vs. Brass B+W. An alloy ring does not screw on as smoothly. Haven't had it long enough but suspect it might bind in hot weather. Also alloy is lighter. Otherwise optically they are the same.

[corporallouis]

Sorry to bust your bubble aia21, but I don't think I made any errors in my purchase. I have the filter in my hands along with the B+W box . . . " 77 MRC SO3M 44844 CIRC-POL " F-PRO MADE IN GERMANY. Invoiced from 2filter at $111.11. Right on the filter itself it says B+W 77 CIRCULAR-POL MRC. Maybe they slipped in the pricing, I don't know, but you are correct in your statement about their site showing pricing higher than I paid. Between actual listed and the price at the checkout I think they make adjustments. They may have had a deeper discount the day I ordered mine. And by the way . . just who makes a better filter that B + W ? Tiffen, Hoya . . . not likely.