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?PageActi...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/...9&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]

Originally Posted by Canon Soldier

also, whats the difference in these filters?

http://hvstar.net/index.asp?PageActi...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]

Originally Posted by rklepper

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.