Hoya Fusion One Next CIR-PL

£50-125 / around $65-163 www.hoyafilter.com

Hoya is the world’s largest manufacturer of optical glass and, as well as providing glass to many lens manufacturers, it produces a huge range of filters. The Fusion One Next series was introduced in August 2021, building upon the popular Hoya Pro1d range. The new Fusion One Next series includes a Protector, UV and Circular Polarizer, each being available in a wide range of sizes. Hoya uses its pro-grade optical glass for the Fusion One Next CIR-PL and applies an 18-layer coating to both sides to reduce flare and ghosting. Meanwhile, the low-profile filter frame is made from aluminium and features a front thread to enable other filters to be attached on top. Hoya supplies the filter in a plastic case. This is basic, but it’s useful for keeping the filter safe from scratches when it’s a in a bag with other gear. The rear mounting ring is larger than the broader adjustment ring, which makes it easy to thread the filter onto a lens, but you need to be careful to grasp the correct area when you want to remove the filter from the lens and be sure to not over-tighten it. There’s a little less resistance in the adjustment ring’s movement than with the Lee Elements filter, and it doesn’t feel quite so smooth, but it’s unlikely to shift accidentally. Being a screw-in filter, using the Fusion One Next CIR-PL avoids the need for a holder, and you can stack it with other filters, but a holder for rectangular filters is the only option if you want to use graduated filters. We tested the 82mm Fusion One Next CIR-PL, which meant that it could be mounted with step-up rings on lenses with filter sizes under 82mm. Mounted directly on to a lens with an 82mm thread, we were unable to spot an increase in vignetting at 24mm. When we tested the Fusion One Next CIR-PL on the Nikon Z 24-70mm f/4 S mounted on the 45.7Mp Nikon Z 7II, we were unable to see any change in image quality beyond the increase in saturation and warming of the colours. Hoya’s Fusion One Next CIR-PL is light, easy to use and available in a wide range of sizes.

N-photo verdict

The Fusion One Next CIR-PL strikes a nice balance between affordability and quality. Optically it’s very good, but the frame build and action isn’t up to the same standard as some more expensive options out there.

PROS Attractively priced; no holder required

CONS Not as smooth as others; image warming may not be wanted

4

Overall