 
Why shoot with a diffusion filter?
Why will shooting with a diffusion filter make such a big improvement
in the visual quality of your footage? Why do we call it "instant
filmlook" and "instant magic"? Why do we shoot with diffusion filters
almost all the time?
There are several reasons. One is that video cameras have a built-in
electronic edge sharpening process that is applied in realtime to lines
of high luma and chroma contrast as you shoot.
35mm film is much higher resolution than video, and without this
sharpening filter, video looks too "fuzzy"- exposing the natural low
resolution of Standard Definition video. If your camcorder allows you
to dial the "sharpness" down, try it- you probably won't like it.
But this sharpening filter, though a necessary evil, is a "video
giveaway"- the "edge harshness" it produces is a key characteristic of
video and informs your audience subliminally that your project "wasn't
worth shooting on film".
 Tiffen diffusion filters, like the Soft F/X 3
filter, cancel out the "harshness" while still maintaining the
sharpness of the image. Wow! That's magic! How does it do this? Well,
Tiffen has been designing filters for broadcast and film for 65 years,
and they've won Academy Awards and Emmy Awards... and, well, maybe it
is magic.
If you zoom in on fine detail with the Soft F/X 3 filter, like
individual strands of hair, you see that the harsh "video edge" has
been transformed into a smooth, beautiful image but maintaining sharp,
crisp edges- still in perfect focus.
Facial wrinkles are softened, lights and windows take on a misty glow,
whites, light areas and glints from metal, glass and jewelry "flare" or
"bloom" outward subtly to produce a magical, dreamy, captivating look
that entrances your viewers, allowing you to better tell your story.
Which is the goal of DV creation in the first place- to put your
viewers in a captivated state where they are experiencing your story
and not merely "watching your edit".
Except for video professionals, your viewers won't be aware you shot
with a filter- your footage will just look "beautiful" to them. People
and objects will look much better than they do in real life.
(NOTE: You do NOT want to use a soft filter when you want people or
things to look WORSE than reality- remove the diffusion filter for your
gritty documentary or reality show- or your "before" shots!)
Since Tiffen filters are used in practically every feature film, your
viewers will "smell the popcorn"- associating your project with the big
budgets of Hollywood and not amateur productions.
For years, shooting commercials in Portland, I got choice gigs because
my footage looked better than other production companies- even though
their cameras were much more expensive. My secret? The Tiffen Soft F/X
3 filter!
 Another
advantage of shooting with diffusion is that your footage will compress
better for web and CD delivery- and even DVD, because compression
codecs have trouble with sharp, harsh, high contrast edges.
You could shoot without a filter and create a soft effect in post, but
you can't ever really get the same effect, render times will be very
long, and you'll be spending time in post tweaking your effect rather
than being creative with your edit. That's why, unless we really want a
videoy look, we always shoot with diffusion.
Tiffen offers a range of filters. The number at the end indicates the
"strength" of the filter- a 1/4 or 1/2 is the most subtle, a "5" is the
strongest. But the numbers don't really correlate between filter types-
a ProMist 1 is as strong as a Soft F/X 3. |
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| What size filter do I need? |
| The Canon GL1, Canon GL2,
and Sony PD150 use 58mm filters. |
| The XL1, XL2,
Panasonic AG-DVX100, and Sony HVR-Z1U use 72mm filters. |
| The Panasonic AG-HVX200, and JVC GY-HD100U use 82mm filters. |
| other
products |
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We think the ideal filter to start with is the Soft/FX 3.
This filter is a great choice like the Soft/FX 3 but with the warmer skin tones.
For a slightly "mistier" look than the Soft F/X 1, the ProMist 1/2 is just as subtle- and is the most popular motion picture diffusion filter. Creates special "atmosphere" by softening excess sharpness and contrast; creates pearlescent glow around highlights. Great for portraits and landscapes.
The Black Pro Mist 1 is similar to the Black Diffusion FX 3 but reduces contrast more- it will bring detail out of shadow areas, and help you avoid blown-out highlights.
An interesting diffusion filter is the Center Spot. This filter helps you simulate the shallow depth of field characteristics of 35mm film by maintaining perfect sharpness in the center area, while diffusing the periphery of the frame. In this way, detailed, busy, distracting backgrounds are softened, leading your viewer to focus on your subject, and thereby your story. Very trendy, very cool looking effect. Ideal for portrait or product applications.
Use a a gradient ND (Neutral Density) filter in the following situations:
Essential for outdoor photography; deepens intensity of blue skies; reduces or eliminates glare.
Leave the UV filter on all the time to protect your lens from dust, moisture, scratches, and breakage- if a rock hits your lens, better it scratch a $16 filter than your lens! This combo also comes with the essential ND 0.6- what you need to bring exposure down to get shallow depth of field outdoors.