Hoya

Hoya Y5ND4055 55mm HMC NDx4 Neutral Density Filter

4.8 (95 reviews)

Silky-smooth waterfall shots and wide-open portraits in bright sun — Hoya's 2-stop ND filter tames the light so you stay creative.

$28.56*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 14, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

For photographers who regularly find themselves fighting bright conditions — midday portrait sessions, sunlit waterscapes, or video work where a specific shutter speed is non-negotiable — the Hoya 55mm HMC NDx4 is the kind of filter that quietly solves the problem and stays out of your way. Its 2-stop light reduction is the practical sweet spot for controlling exposure without committing to the extreme density of a 6- or 10-stop filter. Need to open up to f/2.8 on a sunny afternoon for creamy background separation? This gets you there. Want just enough shutter drag to give a stream that silky quality during golden hour? Drop this on and you're shooting.

Build quality is reassuring without being over-engineered. The machined aluminum frame threads on smoothly and sits flush against the lens barrel, and its low profile means wide-angle shooters can work without worrying about dark corners creeping into the frame. The Hoya Multi-Coating earns its keep by suppressing flare and ghosting — critical when you're pointed anywhere near a light source. Glass clarity is excellent; side-by-side comparisons with bare-lens shots reveal no meaningful loss in sharpness or contrast. It's the kind of filter you trust enough to leave on the lens, which is exactly what a good ND should be.

Key Features

ANTI-REFLECTION MULTI-COATING – Prevents glare, ghosting, and reflections for superior image clarity. The Hoya 55mm HMC NDX4 neutral density filter features advanced multi-coated glass, ensuring sharp, high-contrast images. Perfect for DSLR and mirrorless cameras, this ND filter enhances landscape photography, video production, and controlled exposure in bright conditions.

ACHIEVE SMOOTH MOTION BLUR IN BRIGHT LIGHT – This neutral density filter enables precise shutter speed control, allowing for stunning motion blur effects in waterfalls, clouds, and moving water. Ideal for photographers shooting in bright environments with a lens that accepts 55mm filters. Works seamlessly with DSLR and mirrorless setups.

2-STOP LIGHT REDUCTION FOR PRECISE EXPOSURE CONTROL – The NDX4 camera lens filter reduces light by 2 stops, preventing overexposure while maintaining natural brightness and color balance. Ideal for shooting in direct sunlight, at the beach, or in snowy landscapes, it enhances image quality without affecting sharpness.

PREMIUM SCREW-IN DESIGN FOR A SECURE FIT – The 55mm screw-in ND filter ensures a secure and hassle-free attachment to your lens, filtering unwanted movement. Designed for professional and amateur photographers using 55mm filters. Hoya's camera lens filters enhance creative exposure control for DSLR and mirrorless cameras.

LOW-PROFILE ALUMINUM FRAME - Designed for durability and precision, the low-profile aluminum frame of our Hoya camera lens neutral density filter minimizes vignetting, making it perfect for wide-angle shots. With an integrated front thread, easily stack filters for creative effects without compromising image quality.

Specifications

Brand
Hoya
Model
Y5ND4055
Filter Size
55mm
Filter Type
Neutral Density (NDx4)
Light Reduction
2 f-stops
Coating
HMC (Hoya Multi-Coating)
Frame Material
Low-profile aluminum
Front Thread
Yes (stackable)
Mount Type
Screw-in

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Opens up wider apertures in harsh midday light, letting you shoot shallow depth-of-field portraits outdoors without overexposing
  • HMC multi-coating delivers clean, ghost-free images even when shooting into reflective scenes like water or glass
  • Low-profile aluminum frame keeps vignetting at bay on moderately wide focal lengths, so you can use it across most of your lens kit
  • Front filter thread lets you stack a polarizer on top for landscape work without needing a separate filter system
  • Lightweight and slim enough to leave on the lens all day without adding noticeable bulk or affecting handling

👎 Cons

  • At only 2 stops of reduction, it won't produce the dramatic long exposures that 6- or 10-stop ND filters deliver for daytime blur effects
  • The 55mm thread size limits it to a single lens diameter — you'll need step-up rings or additional filters for other lenses in your bag
  • No protective case included, so you'll want to carry a filter pouch to prevent scratches during transport
  • Multi-coating is effective but not oleophobic, so fingerprints require more careful cleaning compared to nano-coated alternatives

Frequently Asked Questions

It reduces light by 2 stops (NDx4), so if your unfiltered exposure is 1/1000s, you can shoot at 1/250s instead. That's enough to introduce motion blur in flowing water or use a wider aperture in bright daylight without overexposing.
Hoya's HMC (Hoya Multi-Coating) is designed to remain color-neutral. In practice, any minimal shift is easily corrected in post, and most shooters find the color rendition clean straight out of camera.
The low-profile aluminum frame is designed to minimize vignetting, and it includes a front thread for stacking. On standard and short telephoto lenses you'll be fine; on ultra-wide lenses below about 24mm equivalent, check corners when stacking multiple filters.
It's a universal 55mm screw-in filter, so it fits any lens with a 55mm filter thread regardless of camera brand or mount — Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji, or otherwise.
The optical glass is set in a machined aluminum frame that holds up well in a bag or pouch. The multi-coating also helps repel dust and moisture, though you'll still want a microfiber cloth handy on dusty shoots.