Lens Filter

The diffraction filter is quite a cool effect and was available in the Hoya range back in the 7os under the group Spectral Star. This took the conventional cross screen and straburst filter and added a rainbow like pattern to the points. Hoya produced three filters in this range

The Andromeda that gave a single line through the photo and created ghost like blurs to the subject as well as the multicoloured streak from point light sources.

The Pulsator gave a star 8 like effect with more points in the background.

And the Nebula gave a whiling motion by adding dozens of lines out

But it was Cokin who made the effect become popular when their Special effects filters appeared.

Cokin still produce a series of Diffraction filters

The Cokin Diffractor Cosmos 040 is like the Hoya Andromeda with its single line

The Diffractor Univers 041 is like the Hoya Pulstaor with its eight star burst

And the Diffractor Galaxy 042 is like the Hoya Nebula with its multiple star burst.

Not very original but because of the universal holder became for more popular as you could buy one filter for several lenses.

Hoya not to be outdone created the Hoyarex system which also had a series of diffraction filters.

They made things simpler by calling the filters diffraction and listing the number of points and also increased the choice giving us the widest range of diffractions made.

There was the Hoyarex Diffraction 2x Model No 702, Diffraction 4x Model No 704, Diffraction 8x Model No 708, Diffraction 18x Model No 718, Diffraction 36x Model No 736, Diffraction 48x Model No 748 and the Diffraction Halo Model no 799.

The photo used to illustrate this article is taken with the Hoyarex Diffraction 48x

It’s not easy to recreate this filter digitally and is well worth adding to your collection. Works with glass, water, jewellery and any other item where you can get a sparkle of light to diffract.

The Pro 4 Hood was a  unique design that allowed four effects filters to be loaded up and quickly flipped over the lens before taking a shot. Here’s a video of how it works.

A polarizing filter reduces reflections from non-metallic surfaces such as windows and water. In doing so it also increases contrast and makes colours saturated to give more impact and depth to photographs.

It will make blue skies look really deep to add drama to your land and seascapes.  Best results are with the sun at 90 degrees to you.

Slip the polarising filter over the lens and rotate it while you look through the viewfinder. If you use one on a camera without a direct viewer hold the filter in front of your eye, adjust and then with it in the same position fit over the lens.

It works best at about 40 degrees angle from the reflective surface.

Polarising filters have a filter factor of about 3-4 which is 1.5 to 2 stops exposure increase.

Use two polarising filters together and you can create a variable neutral density filter.

Use a polariser with a red filter and you have a powerful filter for infrared.

A linear polariser is best used with older manual cameras and a circular polariser with modern AF cameras.

It’s one of the few filters that cannot be replicated digitally.

Links to buy

Hoyarex 611 Linear Polariser
Hoyarex 621Circular Polariser
Cokin A160 Linear Polariser
Cokin P Linear Polariser
Hoya 49mm Circular Polariser
Jessops 62mm Circular Polariser

Check this page Filters For Sale regularly for updates and other filters

Hoyarex filters were arguably the best filter system made. Optically superb, several made from glass, solid filter holder, brilliant adjustable rubber hood for wide or super telephoto, and a useful range of filters.

While the range wasn’t as huge as Cokin it was certainly substantial.

The illustration to the right shows the filter holder with an adaptor ring (available in sizes from 43mm up to 77mm) and the wonderful rubber Pro hood that clipped on the holder and had a variable extension.

Two filter holder can be clipped together and rotated when special effect filters were inserted.

Here in numeric order is the entire range with links to buy the individual filters at photographyattic.com and links to more info on lensfilter.co.uk.

The Multi-purpose UV is similar to the skylight, absorbing the ultraviolet rays which often make scenic shots hazy and indistinct. Moreover, the UV, especially when used with black & white film, increases contrast, reduces haze and generally improves the “sharpness” of your photographs

UV filters look like clear glass filters.

Many photographers buy a UV filter for each lens and leave them screwed on to protect the lenses’ front elements.

UV filters are available in round type that screw into the lens in ever size imaginable. They were also made by Hoyarex for their square filter system.

Links to buy
Hoyarex 021 Filter

When taking colour photographs in bright sunlight, especially by the sea or in the mountains, ultra-violet rays and the brightness of the sky throw out the picture’s overall colour balance.

The Skylight “filters out” the excess bluish tone, improving the overall clarity of the photograph while helping to restore the film’s natural colour balance. It also keeps skin tones free of colour reflections from nearby objects such as tree shade.

Skylight filters are available in two strengths 1A and 1B, the latter being a slightly stronger pink colour.

Many photographers buy a skylight filter for each lens and leave them screwed on to protect the lenses’ front elements.

Skylight filters are available in round type that screw into the lens in ever size imaginable. They are also made by Cokin for the square filter system, and Hoyarex and the likes used to make them for their systems.

Links to buy
Hoyarex 011 Filter
Cokin A230

One of the more useful, but under used  filters in the Cokin kit is the Incolor 061. Unlike many of the other spot filters this one is practical and can be used in different ways for different effects. The spot filters with colour can look quite naff whereas this one can be adjusted to give a soft focus style effect or a lovely white vignette. This makes it perfect for wedding photography or portraits. The filter is available in A and P series and has a small hole in the centre.  When placed in front of the camera lens the hole will either appear small or large, hard edged or soft edged, depending on the lens focal length and aperture used. To get a large soft edge you should take photos using a longer focal length (around 50-80mm is fine with this filter) and use a wider aperture. If you want a more pronounced circle, use a wider lens and a smaller aperture.

The texture on the filter can be made to look white/grey or neutral depending on how parallel it is to the ccd/film…and if light is reflecting on the rear surface	You could focus lock on the filter so the subject through the hole is blurred and the filter texture sharp. This makes interesting creative shots.
A longer lens and wider aperture was used here. Notice how soft the edge is and how neutral the filtered area is.	Here the filter was adjusted so the spot was on the face. You can do this if the filter is hand held in front of the camera. The filter was held further away and angled so light reflected on it.
Here’s the filter being used to it’s best. Good choice of aperture and focal length gives a lovely diffused vignette.	Another version with a slightly more defined effect. Using the filter like this is great for wedding photography and romantic portraits.

You can buy the filter here: Cokin A series 061 Spot In color Filter

Kenro have added two Marumi digital high grade filters, the Super Circular Polarising Filter, and the Super Lens Protection Filter to their range.

The selection of Marumi digital high grade filters have been specially designed with digital photography in mind. Each filter uses a specially developed ultra-low reflection coating to minimize internal reflection off the cameras built-in CCD and CMOS Sensors. Other anti-reflect features include a special slim frame with satin smooth finish and a black ink process on the glass edge to eliminate flare.

Both new filters incorporate the same features as the popular Digital High Grade range, plus three additional benefits. They both incorporate Hard Protection that guards the surface of the lens from scratches even with heavy duty use. They are also water and oil repellent, meaning water and oil spots simply wipe off.  Both ranges also come with Anti-fouling, this keeps the lens surface clean from dust and dirt. Additionally these filters are lens cap capable.

The Super Circular Polarising Filter can be rotated to reduce reflection off  highly reflective surfaces, it also increases colour saturation under sunshine bright conditions.

The Super Lens Protection Filter has a colourless lens protection filter that is designed to minimize flare and ghosting on CCD and CMOS sensors. The thin mount is designed to prevent vignetting when used with wide angle digital lenses.

Both filters are available in the following sizes: 49mm, 52mm, 55mm, 58mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, 77mm and 82mm. Prices for the Super Circular Polarising Filters range from £83.15 to £186.82, while the Super Lens Protection Filters start at £33.06, rising to £72.79.

“Marumi filters offer photographers a simple, cost-effective way of improving their images.” says Kenro Managing Director, Paul Kench. “The difference between an image taken using a polarising filter and one without is really striking. The lack of reflection plus the increased contrast achieved with a polarising filter are very difficult to replicate in post production.”

Kenro is the official UK distributors for the range of Marumi photographic accessories, including filters, lens hoods and flash guns. See www.kenro.co.uk for details of your nearest stockist, or call Kenro on 01793 615836 for more details.

Swains International PLC is pleased to introduce shop4filters, the first dedicated website for purchasing your Tiffen filters online.

Whether you are shopping as a Professional or an Amateur Photographer the shop4filters website will include the full Tiffen filter range to suit all of your photographic needs.  The site will also feature several ‘centres of excellence’, selected Swains stockists that will provide the same special offers and prices as the shop4filters website. These centres of excellence will be promoted via the website and be located across the country, making it even easier for you to get hold of a Tiffen filter and have the personal service of an in store expert.

Shoppers will have the opportunity to experience a fast, seamless experience whilst searching for Tiffen filters and not only will you be able to purchase direct, there is also a range of interesting articles technical and non technical available on the shop4filters website. This will include pieces on using ND filters. Industry experts will also be undertaking photo assignments and writing articles for this site, including articles from the movie world where the Tiffen heritage is a major part of the motion picture industry.

Tiffen are the first choice of filters for movie makers and have been used on blockbuster movies such as Harry Potter and Slumdog Millionaire to name but two!! Tiffen filters are also used on the majority of NASA space missions.

This unique website will also provide great before and after shots using the Tiffen filters which will help to show you the magnificent effects you can achieve.

Terry Carey, Managing Director of Tiffen International Ltd is excited about the joint venture with Swains and said “Tiffen’s award winning filters have been improving images for over 70 years and with shop4filters we will make them even more accessible to consumers.”

Tiffen has been recognized numerous times for its product and engineering excellence earning two Technical Achievement Awards and a Scientific and Engineering Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, an Emmy Award from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the Deluxe Outstanding Technical Achievement Award of the BANFF Television Festival, the Star 2005 TV Technology award, the 2006 Cherry Pickers Award plus the 2006 CES Innovations Award and many more.

The best filter you can buy for landscape photography is the neutral density graduated filter. Cokin have created a bundle of three essential ND grad filters in the P series which is perfect for most primes and modern zoom lenses.

The kit comes with a P-Series Filter Holder, P121L NDx2 Filter, P121M NDx4 Filter, P121S NDx8 Filter and supplied with a Cokin 100 Page Filter Catalogue. You will then just need a filter holder adaptor for your lens.  P-series adaptors are available in sizes from 48mm up to 82mm.

You can buy the Cokin ND Grad Kit here:  Cokin H250A ND Grad Kit