Hoya R72 infrared filter review: top-quality glass for stunning mono infrared images

Hoya started out in 1941 in Tokyo as a global med-tech and technology company and is presently the world’s largest supplier of optical glass, with approximately 50% of the market share for optical glass production. It should know a thing or two when it comes to creating quality filters for photography, then. I got hold of a Hoya R72 infrared filter, which is designed to block visible light and only allow a narrow band of infrared light into the camera, with wavelengths between 760 and 860nm.

The Hoya R72 can be used on standard cameras for an infrared long-exposure effect, where the light-blocking properties of the R72 lengthen the exposure time by up to several minutes, because the sensor already has an IR cut filter installed that makes it not very sensitive to IR wavelengths; however, the resulting red-tinged image has to be converted to black and white.

To properly test the Hoya R72, I got my hands on a Canon EOS R that had been converted to full-spectrum infrared photography by the experts at Advanced Camera Services, thus enabling me to shoot infrared images at much faster shutter speeds more akin to 'normal' photography.

Hoya R72 infrared filter: Specifications

Hoya R72 infrared filter: Price

I found that the list price and 'street' price of Hoya's infrared filters varied wildly. For example, in the UK, where I'm based, the 72mm version was available at the full price of £149 in one retailer I checked, but less than half that, at £72, at another online store. It clearly pays to shop around, but luckily, you won't have to, as our pricing widget below does all the price hunting for you!

Prices also varied dramatically depending on the filter thread size, with some of the larger thread sizes demanding eyewatering sums. But larger didn't necessarily always mean pricier; for example, the 55mm size actually cost less than the smaller 46mm filter, and in this instance, you might be better off buying the larger filter and using a cheap step-up ring to fit smaller lenses.

It's an equally confusing picture in the United States, where the smallest 46mm filter costs about $53, the 82mm option I tested costs $129, and the two largest options, 86mm and 95mm, jump to an eye-watering $268 and $303, respectively. That's a lot more money for only a little more glass.

So the answer to the question of whether these filters are good value for money is: it depends. The best prices I found ranged from $53 / £42 to $265 / £240. Generally, those measuring between 46mm and 77mm were not overly expensive (if you shop around), considering they come with Hoya branding and the quality I expect from the world’s largest manufacturer of optical glass. However, pricing gets a little more complicated when you go to 82mm and beyond.

Hoya R72 infrared filter: Design & Handling

The Hoya R72 looks like a fairly standard screw-in filter, aside from the fact that the optical glass is pretty much pitch black, only allowing a narrow band of infrared light between 760nm and 860nm to pass through. Hoya claims it has a light transmittance rate of 95%.

This means on standard cameras, it acts rather like a strong ND filter by blocking out light and recording long exposures, though you will have to convert to a black-and-white infrared image to avoid the unpleasant red color cast. On a modified full-spectrum camera that has had its IR cut filter removed, like the EOS R I used, you're still limited to shooting monochrome, but at much more usable 'standard' shutter speeds – fast enough to shoot handheld and without the need for a tripod.

The resulting images look more contrast-rich than standard black-and-white shots due to the way green foliage reflects IR light, giving vegetation bright white highlights, while blue skies absorb infrared and produce deep blacks.

The filter can be picked up in no less than 12 different filter thread options, so there’s a very good chance you’ll be able to get one in your lens’s native front filter thread without the need for a step-up ring.

Most standard screw-in filters typically protrude by about 3mm, but the Hoya R72 sticks out a fraction more at 4mm. This deeper build and the possibility of stacking filters together increase the chance of the black aluminum frame appearing in shot when using ultra-wide focal lengths, which could result in vignetting. However, when shooting at my Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM lens's widest 15mm focal length on full-frame, I couldn't see any signs of vignetting.

The Hoya R72 comes with a solid plastic hard case and has a piece of foam inside it to keep your filter protected. Hoya's hard case was one of the best I've tested, with a good balance between protection and keeping the size of the case down to make it easy to slip into your camera bag or a coat pocket. It also opens easily, which is useful when trying to fit your filter quickly before the light changes.

Hoya R72 infrared filter: Performance

The infrared-passing properties of the Hoya R72 come from the glass substrate itself, rather than relying on a coating. Speaking of coatings, the R72 is pretty scant in this department with just a single layer on each side to tame reflections. Unfortunately, the R72 doesn’t have any extra coatings for scratch resistance or to repel oil and water.

For better coatings, you could consider Hoya's sister brand Cokin, with its more premium Nuances Infrared 720, which boasts some of the best oil, water, and scratch-resistant coatings from all of the infrared filters I have tried.

The Hoya R72 only allows in a thin band of light between 760nm and 860nm, ruling out the possibility of color infrared photography, which requires a lower cut around 590nm. However, it produces exceptionally good black-and-white infrared photos. On an IR-converted camera, which has had its IR cut filter removed, you can shoot black-and-white infrared images at shutter speeds close to standard, though there is still a reduction of about two stops, turning a 1/640 sec exposure without the filter into a 1/160 sec one with it in place.

You can also use the filter on normal non-converted cameras, though this requires a much longer exposure time, so you'll be limited to exposures several minutes long because the sensor is so insensitive to IR light. I found it lengthened a standard shutter speed of 1/10 sec to 6 secs, essentially acting like a 6-stop ND filter.

As you can see from these test shots, the Hoya R72 does a great job of limiting wavelengths of light to the infrared spectrum, which provides the classic B&W infrared look, with green foliage turning white and blue skies turning a deep black.

Fine details did look a little soft with the R72 attached, though you really have to zoom in to around 200% to notice the difference. Sharpness is a little tricky to judge when it comes to infrared photography, as the contrast changes so dramatically with and without the filter attached.

Hoya R72 infrared filter: Verdict

Hoya's R72 is a decent choice for black-and-white infrared photography. Those with non-converted cameras will be restricted to long exposures, which can look quite striking and dramatic. Those with a full-spectrum converted camera will be able to shoot handheld, with shutter speeds much closer to standard.

The Hoya R72 is available in a wide range of sizes between 46mm and 95mm, though the options between 46mm and 77mm offer the best value. The cost of filter sizes of 82mm and above can be quite considerable.

While the smaller filter sizes are reasonably priced – or at least can be if you find them discounted – they don't have the strongest feature set, lacking oil and water-resistant coatings. Their rims are also quite deep at 4mm, although I didn't experience any vignetting issues.

Overall, if you can pick them up at the right price, the Hoya R72 is a solid option that offers good-quality glass and a trusted name, but lacks the advanced coatings of more expensive rivals.

Alternatives

For those looking for quality on a reasonable budget, the Urth IR Filter Plus+ is a great choice and has brilliant features like oil and water-resistant coatings, though it's only available in circular screw-in options.

The Cokin Nuances Infrared 720 (89B) is a premium filter that demands a premium price. For working professionals making a living from infrared photography, this filter will deliver great results and has brilliant build quality and coatings, too.