Choosing between Hoya circular polarizers: Super-HMC Pro1 vs. DMC Pro1

Hi folks,

I know this is a pretty tired question on these forums, but please bear with me. I'm looking to buy a 72mm circular polarizer for my Sigma 17-70 lens and XTi body. Based on the filter info I found a link to on this forum (http://www.zen20934.ze​n.co.uk …ests/Flare/Filt​erData.htm) it looks like the Hoya Super-HMC Pro1 is the top of the line, with 99.7% light transmittance and plenty of multi-coating on both sides of the glass. By contrast, the DMC Pro1 is rated at 98% transmittance, and has a few less multi-coat layers.

The question is, how much difference does this really make? I'm not a pro photographer (obviously), but at the same time I'd rather spend a bit more money up front to avoid wanting to trade up from a cheaper filter down the road. Does anyone out there have experience with both of these who can offer up a decent comparison?

FYI, the two filters on Amazon are:
DMC Pro1 Circular Polarizer
Super-HMC Pro1 Circular Polarizer

Thanks as always for everyone's help

-Fin

http://hvstar.net …Action=VIEWPROD​&ProdID=28

I just saved you $60. Get the S-HMC.

The SHMC vs. DMC is truly perplexing. The Hoya HMC has 97% transmission, the SHMC has 99.7% transmission. Then they come out with the DMC and blacken edges, etc. but the coatings are LESS efficient than the SHMC and almost at the level of the HMC!

I have never seen quantification of the 'for digital' treatment benefits, so I always thought the 'Digital' was another example of marketing hype. Now that it is out about a lower transmission, I know 'Digital' truly is marketing hype to get you to pay more to get less...like candy bars are more expensive yet smaller.

ALT1MATE wrote in post #5486863
http://hvstar.net …Action=VIEWPROD​&ProdID=28

I just saved you $60. Get the S-HMC.

Well that answers that question - now it's cheaper and better, thanks!

-Fin

supposedly the dmc's have new L41 glass on them which is supposed to be better than the hmc's. the tokina rep told me this when i was working at a camera store so i'm just telling y'all verbatim what i was informed. honestly tho, i'd take that with a grain of salt but seriously i've used the regular hmc's and they've worked just fine. i've got a dmc uv(o) and it looks the same to me as my hmc...in short, go for the hoya shmc's (the ones in the black case). they're cheaper than dmc's and they're just as good in my opinion if not better.