Hoya Pro filter with a smear ?

I just got my Hoya Pro CPL filter from hvstar and there appears to be a smear of some sort smack in the center of the filter - on the INSIDE of the upper (rotating) part !!!

Is there any way to clean it ? i.e. any way to take it apart to clean & put it back together ?

If not, has anybody ever returned anything to hvstar ?

I don't know if this smear has any effect on sharpness / iq, but I didn't pay to have it, and it would make re-selling this filter hard.

Crap caught in between the two glass plates is next to impossible to remove; the only way is to disassemble the filter. If you're lucky there are slots on the retaining ring that you can get a screwdriver into, though this is fraught with peril... One slip and you've just gouged your CPL.

Probably better off returning it.

Same problem here, I received Hoya Pro 1 CPL from hvstar a couple of days ago and do not know how to return it as they are based out of Hong Kong.

I tried to clean it with cleaning liquid, lens pen but it didn't go away.

I would suggest emailing hvstar with your problem. Ask for instructions for returning the filters. About a year ago, I got a B+W CPL from hvstar with a defect in the foil. I contacted them and returned it. They replaced it with a new one without problems.

Got mine last night and it was smeared as well. But mine came off with some cleaning solution. Email them and ask them how to return is the best advise I've got. The filter came with about 50 stamps stuck on it so I guess it could go back the same way. =P

I just sent them an email to check if they could replace the filter.

This can happen with any vendor, but you really have to wonder if it's worth going back-and-forth with a source in Hong Kong...

Double Negative wrote in post #5800232
This can happen with any vendor, but you really have to wonder if it's worth going back-and-forth with a source in Hong Kong...

Except for lost time, there really isn't much of a difference than dealing with a domestic retailer. In my experience, I packed up the filter and mailed it via USPS to HK. In turn, I received a new replacement via USPS.

If you are not in a rush, then the saved money is worth the possible hassle if it should occur.

jhom wrote in post #5800447
Except for lost time, there really isn't much of a difference than dealing with a domestic retailer. In my experience, I packed up the filter and mailed it via USPS to HK. In turn, I received a new replacement via USPS.

If you are not in a rush, then the saved money is worth the possible hassle if it should occur.

How much did you pay for the postage?

I believe $7 or 8.

^ As long as the savings are there, I guess it's just the slow postage back/forth...

With hvstar, the savings are worth any minor inconvenience in regards to time. It is always helpful to plan ahead. When it comes to filters, most effects can be duplicated in photoshop. Besides, I'm from the no filter unless necessary school of thought. So, quick delivery is not a problem.

2filters.com is a domestic place to get a deal on filters.

Hoya filters are notoriously tough to clean. Even if you send the filter back, some day you will get a smudge on the new one and you will likely run across the problem then. Regular lens cleaning fluid will not cut it.

There is a cleaner known as ROR - Residual Oil Remover - that works really well on Hoya filters. B&H sells it, I'm sure other places have it as well.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …esidual_Oil_Rem​over_.html

Have Fun,

CoolToolGuy wrote in post #5806366
Hoya filters are notoriously tough to clean. Even if you send the filter back, some day you will get a smudge on the new one and you will likely run across the problem then. Regular lens cleaning fluid will not cut it.

There is a cleaner known as ROR - Residual Oil Remover - that works really well on Hoya filters. B&H sells it, I'm sure other places have it as well.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …esidual_Oil_Rem​over_.html

Have Fun,

I've found that denatured alcohol works great cleaning filters and lenses. It is inexpensive and readily available at Home Depot or any hardware store.