p.4 #1 · Diffusion Filters! (or Effect Filters in general)
I agree with @highdesertmesa and @fuzzykeys regarding it just doesn't look the same in post. Here are some more for people who are interested. First off, here's what the BPM flaring looks like.
Both photos shot with a CV 75/1.5 WO.
Naked:
With BPM 1/2:
Secondly, I wanted to see if I could close to either of my favorite 2 character lenses with a modern well corrected options--the 35i and RX1. The TLDR; kind of not really.
The filters help--they dampen contrast, but they don't do the same stuff as native SA on or off axis. They add haze, and some halation with a light source, but take a look the Lux files @1.4 and you'll see some halation (or coma?) on the hanger or patio beams. You also can't replicate the color the same way. Also, the 35i has not been edited--the lens has a noticeable yellow caste. It's been like in every systemized comparison I've shot against any brand of lens I've shot. I've compared the 4 lenses at f2, but did post the Apoqualia and Lux at 1.4 where the are less corrected for curiosity/reference sake.
The 4 lenses are the 35 Lux M Pre-Asph, 35mm MS-Optics Apoqualia f1.4, RX1 and Sigma 35i. All shot on 2 second shutter delay, A7c, tripod, RAW, ISO 100, LR with only WB to match and Medium contrast tone curve applied. Focus was on the right breast pocket. Jacket is about 3 feet away. Take a look the the flickr album to see full photos.
Here is the uncropped photo on a tripod:
35 Lux + Apoqualia @ WO
All lenses, f2, naked:
All lenses, f2, BPM 1/8:
All lenses, f2, BPM 1/2:
All lenses, f2, Pearlescent 1:
I think I understand what I would like, but if others have testing, thought, questions or examples, please post! I am always looking to learn more about these, and I haven't dabbled outside of Tiffen.
p.4 #3 · Diffusion Filters! (or Effect Filters in general)
No regimented tests to share, but I bought Moment's Cinebloom filters, in both strengths--10 percent and 20 percent--in 62mm, for my Fuji 23mm/f1.4. I haven't used them much, but I can see the appeal.
Here's 10 percent, as an example. I'd had the filter on all day and didn't see much difference until I shot the backlit car. Untitled by James, on Flickr
p.4 #5 · Diffusion Filters! (or Effect Filters in general)
Looks great there!
SiggiChurchill wrote:
No regimented tests to share, but I bought Moment's Cinebloom filters, in both strengths--10 percent and 20 percent--in 62mm, for my Fuji 23mm/f1.4. I haven't used them much, but I can see the appeal.
p.4 #6 · Diffusion Filters! (or Effect Filters in general)
I have the 35GM which I love. I used to have the Sigma 1.2 which had a touch better bokeh etc. If I use a simple radial selection in Camera Raw or LR and use some negative texture I get basically the same look. It doesn’t ruin the contrast or muddy the waters. Quick and easy. 😊
p.4 #7 · Diffusion Filters! (or Effect Filters in general)
rainio wrote:
Oh, wow! This looks like it's turning into the internet's definitive diffusion filter discussion!
I'll move over to yours!
It seems that these filters do smooth bokeh and OOF areas, so if anyone's is interested in more discussion you can pop over to the other discussion.
Someone mentioned do the filters work at higher studies, which is a good point. I'll look into this and post there.
Thanks!
+1 to seeing more shots with the black pro mist 1/4 on the GM35. I have been looking at this exact combination and would be interested to know the results with a person as a subject and varying levels of background foliage. Bonus if the background foliage is just a little bright, because the GM renders OOF highlights a bit brighter than other lenses. But whatever subjects you have available to you is fine, anything really is appreciated. I will look for them in the other thread!
p.4 #10 · Diffusion Filters! (or Effect Filters in general)
abadger wrote:
+1 to seeing more shots with the black pro mist 1/4 on the GM35. I have been looking at this exact combination and would be interested to know the results with a person as a subject and varying levels of background foliage. Bonus if the background foliage is just a little bright, because the GM renders OOF highlights a bit brighter than other lenses. But whatever subjects you have available to you is fine, anything really is appreciated. I will look for them in the other thread!
I just dropped in some images in there taken with my Sigma 35 1.2 Art…there isn’t a significant difference between the Sigma 35 1.2 and the 35GM imo. I love my Sigma, but the temptation to switch to the GM is persistent simply because of the size/weight superiority of the GM.
p.4 #11 · Diffusion Filters! (or Effect Filters in general)
photomadnz wrote:
I have the 35GM which I love. I used to have the Sigma 1.2 which had a touch better bokeh etc. If I use a simple radial selection in Camera Raw or LR and use some negative texture I get basically the same look. It doesn’t ruin the contrast or muddy the waters. Quick and easy. 😊
I think I saw some of these in that lens thread and it is what prompted me to look into the pro mist filter. I am a fan of the look it gives at night, sort of a pseudo cinestill effect with the light blooms.
And I really enjoyed Helena’s use of the filter as well, in those golden hour shots. This plus softening contrast for portraits would be the main use case for me. Wondering if I should get two strengths. Then can stack as needed.
p.4 #14 · Diffusion Filters! (or Effect Filters in general)
abadger wrote:
I think I saw some of these in that lens thread and it is what prompted me to look into the pro mist filter. I am a fan of the look it gives at night, sort of a pseudo cinestill effect with the light blooms.
And I really enjoyed Helena’s use of the filter as well, in those golden hour shots. This plus softening contrast for portraits would be the main use case for me. Wondering if I should get two strengths. Then can stack as needed.
Agree with getting a couple strengths…in my short experience so far I felt the effect with 1/4 got a little strong in some cases, so I ordered a 1/8 as well. Haven’t tried the 1/8 yet.
p.4 #15 · Diffusion Filters! (or Effect Filters in general)
abadger wrote:
+1 to seeing more shots with the black pro mist 1/4 on the GM35. I have been looking at this exact combination and would be interested to know the results with a person as a subject and varying levels of background foliage. Bonus if the background foliage is just a little bright, because the GM renders OOF highlights a bit brighter than other lenses. But whatever subjects you have available to you is fine, anything really is appreciated. I will look for them in the other thread!
I've just bought one. Nice it will work with the FE 35mm f/1.4 GM and Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN. lenses.
p.4 #17 · Diffusion Filters! (or Effect Filters in general)
abadger wrote:
I think I saw some of these in that lens thread and it is what prompted me to look into the pro mist filter. I am a fan of the look it gives at night, sort of a pseudo cinestill effect with the light blooms.
And I really enjoyed Helena’s use of the filter as well, in those golden hour shots. This plus softening contrast for portraits would be the main use case for me. Wondering if I should get two strengths. Then can stack as needed.
I think getting two strengths is a good call if you don’t mind the cost and schlepping them around, plus you can stack as you mentioned to build up to a higher strength. I think a 1/8 and 1/4 combo would be pretty flexible for you since I know you are mostly a 35/50/85 guy for portraits like I am. The 1/8 will give you a nice bit of halation for night shots without looking too much like an obvious effect, especially at 35mm, and you could switch to 1/4 for 85mm and maintain a reasonably consistent look in a set of images. I would probably use the Dream Filter and 1/4 for that application since I don’t have a 1/8 as I think the halation is likely pretty similar, but it may not have as big an impact on contrast. It’s also much cheaper than a BPM of the same size.
On top of that, the lighting conditions really make a huge difference in the effect so you may want to use a different strength depending on the situation. Obviously light has to hit the filter in order for it be diffused and the more light that hits it directly, the stronger the effect will be. You may find yourself going for a lower strength in a backlit scene and the higher strength in shade, for example. You’ll have to play around and see what works best for you.
p.4 #19 · Diffusion Filters! (or Effect Filters in general)
fuzzykeys wrote:
I think getting two strengths is a good call if you don’t mind the cost and schlepping them around, plus you can stack as you mentioned to build up to a higher strength. I think a 1/8 and 1/4 combo would be pretty flexible for you since I know you are mostly a 35/50/85 guy for portraits like I am. The 1/8 will give you a nice bit of halation for night shots without looking too much like an obvious effect, especially at 35mm, and you could switch to 1/4 for 85mm and maintain a reasonably consistent look in a set of images. I would probably use the Dream Filter and 1/4 for that application since I don’t have a 1/8 as I think the halation is likely pretty similar, but it may not have as big an impact on contrast. It’s also much cheaper than a BPM of the same size.
On top of that, the lighting conditions really make a huge difference in the effect so you may want to use a different strength depending on the situation. Obviously light has to hit the filter in order for it be diffused and the more light that hits it directly, the stronger the effect will be. You may find yourself going for a lower strength in a backlit scene and the higher strength in shade, for example. You’ll have to play around and see what works best for you. ...Show more →
This is good to know about the effects at different focal lengths, thank you. The other debate I’m having is whether to buy the larger filter and step up rings because the Samyang 85 is 77mm vs the 67mm GM and the 72mm 50 f1.4 ZA. I guess the real question is: do I need the hood? Should I remove the hood on purpose for effect? I don’t suppose the hood will fit with step up rings attached.
p.4 #20 · Diffusion Filters! (or Effect Filters in general)
abadger wrote:
This is good to know about the effects at different focal lengths, thank you. The other debate I’m having is whether to buy the larger filter and step up rings because the Samyang 85 is 77mm vs the 67mm GM and the 72mm 50 f1.4 ZA. I guess the real question is: do I need the hood? Should I remove the hood on purpose for effect? I don’t suppose the hood will fit with step up rings attached.
Apparently the reason that Tiffen designed them with different specific strengths that scale linearly was so that video shooters would be able to maintain a similar look on set across different shots at different focal lengths.
Regarding hoods, all of my lenses are 67mm except for my 50, which is 77mm. At the moment, I just use step rings and remove the hoods with my smaller lenses. Fortunately, the smaller lenses are easier to one hand so I could use my hand to shade the front element, but it would be nice to be able to use hoods when needed as well.
