As the world gets ever brighter, it can be harder for astrophotographers to get the shots they desire as light pollution becomes more of a problem. Today, Hoya has revealed its Starscape Light Pollution Filter, which is designed to combat light polluting issues. Hoya also launches a ProND Filter kit, making it simpler for users to change between filters when out in the field or studio.

ProND Filter Kit

With long shutter-speed photography becoming more and more popular, Hoya has announced a filter kit containing 3 of their most popular ‘Pro-ND’ solid Neutral Density [ND] filters, all in one package. 

Although Hoya already offers individual ProND filters ranging from ND2 to ND100,000, this kit is designed to give photographers and videographers an easy solution to the ultimate in light control. It includes ND8 [3 stop], ND64 [6 stop] and ND1000 [10 stop] density filters in a folding, padded case. 

Hoya ProND filters are made in Japan from the highest quality optical glass. Using ACCU-ND metallic coating technology, the glass is coated front and rear, to equally reduce the light spectrum [including IR], with a truly neutral colour balance. As the colour balance is so neutral, it is possible to use 2 ProND filters together. For example, ND8 and ND1000 together give a combined value of ND8000.

Starscape light-pollution filter

 Capturing our Milky Way and its millions of stars, often invisible to the naked eye, is becoming an increasingly popular challenge to photographers. Hoya has attempted to make the process even more rewarding by introducing their Starscape light-pollution filter. This comes in a range of different diameters and with special optical glass which selectively filters out the yellow and green[ish] light pollution that comes from distant street lights, [amongst other things] and can often ruin shots. 

The result is more natural-looking images and improved overall contrast. Hoya’s Starscape filter promises to significantly reduce the amount of time required to correct the colour cast in RAW post-processing. Images rendered without these filters can appear degraded at a pixel level. The use of a Starscape filter can also save a huge amount of time normally required for the post-processing of time-lapse sequences. 

Hoya Starscape filters are made in Japan from the highest quality optical glass, they have low-profile filter frames and are ideal for use with wide and super-wide-angle lenses. They can also be combined with Hoya Softon filters to further enhance stars in the night sky.

Sample images using the Hoya Starscape filter

Pricing and availability

HOYA ProND filter kits will be available from photo retailers during December 2019, in all diameters from 49mm to 82mm. The HOYA Starscape filters will be available from photo retailers during December 2019, in all diameters from 49mm to 82mm.  Pricing TBA.

More detailed information about Hoya Filters can be found on the official importer’s website.