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Hoya HOY 46 CIRC POLARIZING 46mm Circular Polarizer Filter — main product image
Hoya

Hoya HOY 46 CIRC POLARIZING 46mm Circular Polarizer Filter

★★★★★4.5 (660 reviews)

Cut reflections and deepen color saturation on your 46mm lens with Hoya's precision circular polarizer.

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Overview

The Hoya 46mm Circular Polarizing Filter is a screw-in optical filter that selectively blocks polarized light to reduce unwanted reflections and glare in your photographs. When shooting scenes with water, wet surfaces, glass, or lush foliage, the filter cuts through surface reflections to reveal the underlying color and detail. It simultaneously deepens blue skies and increases the contrast between sky and clouds, producing more vivid, punchy images straight out of the camera without relying on post-processing adjustments.

The filter mounts to any lens with a 46mm front thread and features a rotating front ring that lets you precisely control the intensity of the polarizing effect in real time as you compose your shot. Coatings applied to both glass surfaces work to suppress internal reflections and ghosting, helping to preserve image sharpness and contrast. Designed for full compatibility with modern autofocus systems, this circular polarizer will not interfere with your camera's AF or metering accuracy. It is a practical, well-priced tool for outdoor and landscape photographers looking to improve image quality at the point of capture.

Key Features

Designed to adjust brightly reflected light especially sunlight (reflected off of water or snow) and reduce unwanted glare

Creates dramatic sky/cloud contrast and saturates colours without changing colour balance

Mount rotates to control amount of effect

Coatings applied to both surfaces to suppress reflection and increase light transmission

For use with autofocus cameras and lenses

Specifications

Brand
Hoya
Model
HOY 46 CIRC POLARIZING
Filter Size
46mm
Filter Type
Circular Polarizing
Mount Type
Screw-in
Coating
Dual-surface coated
Compatibility
Autofocus cameras and lenses

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Rotating mount provides smooth, precise adjustment of the polarizing effect while shooting
  • Dual-surface coatings help maintain light transmission and reduce ghosting
  • Effectively eliminates glare from water, glass, and similar non-metallic surfaces
  • Compatible with autofocus and auto-exposure metering systems in modern cameras
  • Screw-in 46mm design requires no adapters for lenses with matching thread size

👎 Cons

  • Approximately 1-2 stops of light loss makes it less practical for dim or indoor conditions
  • Standard-profile ring may cause corner vignetting on wide-angle lenses
  • Entry-level Hoya coating tier offers less flare resistance than the Pro1 Digital or HD product lines
  • No storage case or pouch is included with the filter

Frequently Asked Questions

Both are Hoya 46mm circular polarizers, but they carry different ASIN/model identifiers, which may reflect different production runs, packaging, or regional distribution. The optical specifications and function are the same.
While it will physically protect your front element, a circular polarizer reduces light transmission by about 1-2 stops and can affect exposure in low-light situations. It is best used intentionally when you want its glare-reducing and color-enhancing effects, rather than as a permanent lens protector.
Circular polarizers are effective on reflections from non-metallic surfaces such as water, glass, and foliage. They have little to no effect on reflections from bare metal surfaces.
On very wide-angle lenses (roughly 24mm equivalent or wider), the filter's ring thickness can introduce vignetting in the corners of the frame. At standard and telephoto focal lengths, vignetting is not an issue.
Use a microfiber cloth or lens cleaning tissue with a small amount of lens cleaning solution. Avoid pressing hard or using abrasive materials, as this can wear down the anti-reflection coatings over time.

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