Digital cameras can exhibit the effect of color shifting due to infrared light in dark colors. In some situations, black material with different dyes are rendered in different color tones due to this infrared contamination. The effect of this color shift can be exascerbated by adding ND filters for acceptable exposure instead of stopping down the lens iris. Schneider Optics has introduced Platinum IR filters to correct for this effect. Platinum filters are available as a straight IR filter or incorporated into ND filters from densities .3 to 1.8 (one to six stops of compensation). These Platinum IR ND filters reduce exposure while also blocking infrared light. Watch my video above to learn more.

Optefex is a new filter manufacturer for our industry. Their first offering is a series of streak and star-pattern filters in various sizes. What’s particularly interesting is that they are available in a variety of colors as well.

Lens manufacturers have long-strived to eliminate any strange aberrations or optical artifacts from their designs so that they can deliver an accurate image. Of course one man’s aberration is another man’s art, and many miss the “personality” of certain older lens designs. One common visual artifact was the blue horizontal flare that some older anamorphic lenses would create off bright highlights. A streak filter is an effective and easy way to replicate this look. Watch the video to see how simple and effective these colored streak filters are.

Lately we’ve been getting a bunch of questions on 4.5″ polarizing filters. There are several variations which can get quite confusing for those that are not familiar with them.

So here’s a rundown on the essential parameters:

4.5 inch is in fact the same as 114mm. Different manufacturers use metric or imperial. Likewise, some manufacturers refer to 138mm as 5.5 inch. These are both round filters.

…continue reading 4.5″ Polarizing Filter Variations Explained

A complaint often expressed by Sony EX1/EX3 owners is the infrared or far red contamination frequently seen on dark fabrics. Sony’s EXMOR sensors are designed to see a huge amount of color, or what Sony calls “broad spectrum colors.” This is a great thing, because these Sony cameras can capture more color than ever in a digital image. The negative effect of this, however, is that they’re also able to see some red colors that our eyes cannot see. This shows up particularly in dark fabrics, where the red contamination turns greens into muddy brown and some blacks will turn magenta…not a good thing. Up until now there was not much you could do about it, but thankfully Tiffen came up with a solution. They have created the T1 IR filter, which is designed to reduce this contamination but still maintain the wide range of colors. I’ve done some tests to compare an EX1 camera with and without the filter, and the difference is quite obvious. In short if you are an EX1 or EX3 owner, the T1 IR Filter is a must have. Keep reading to see comparisons and how the new EX1R and PMW-350 perform.

…continue reading Tiffen T1 Far Red Filter & the Sony EX Cameras

It appears that the Sony EX cameras exhibit the same form of IR sensitivity that the Sony F35 and the Panavision Genesis do. Therefore the best filter for these cameras is not an IR Hot Mirror but instead a Tiffen IR ND non-Hot Mirror filter. This filter set was created for the F35 and Genesis. It is also less expensive than the Hot Mirror type filters such as the Formatts we sell for the RED.

Please note that different types of cameras and sensors require different type of filtration. The Formatts remain the recommended solution for the RED but the Tiffen non-Hot Mirror product is best for the EX1/EX3.

Art Adams over at ProvideoCoalition.com is doing an IR Filter Shoot Out to see how filters from three manufacturers work with the RED, F35 and EX Cameras. You can check those tests out here.