I want to purchase a soft focus filter for my 50 Summicron. Does anyone have any opinion about B+W & Heliopan soft focus filters? Does the 0 Heliopan enough or go with the 1? The same goes for the B+W.

thanks........

Michael*

-- Michael (mm071799@attcanada.ca), January 30, 2001

Answers

I have used both of the filters you mention but would suggest an alternative, the Nikon Soft filters (either #1 or #2). Most soft focus filters work by using some method of throwing the image very slightly out of focus. The better filters, such as the B+W 'interfere' with the focus (their words) and so soften the image. The Nikons on the other hand has very minute particle of gold flake embedded in the glass. Instead of softening the focus of the image, light rays in the highlight 'flare' off the gold particles and soften the highlight areas. I'd best describe it thus - most soft filters (to me anyways) make the image look slightly out of focus. With the Nikon filters (by the way most pros use the Nikons), the image looks tack sharp, but the highlights seem diffused. Maybe someone else can explain it better, but you should consider the Nikons.

-- Bob Todrick (bobtodrick@yahoo.com), January 30, 2001.

Michael, please, what is the point of soft focus on a world-class sharp lens? Please please please please please please please! Why not just focus out of the depth of field indications on your lens barrel? Don't get annoyed with me, but I really can't see the point. Rob.

-- Robert Appleby (laintal@tin.it), January 30, 2001.

The Zeiss "softars" (made by either either B+W or Heliopan) are true soft-ficus filters that have their surface covered with many small, dimpled "lenses". This has the effect of throwing multiple out of focus images directly on top of the primary in focus image. The effect is most pleasing on people, as there is a sharp image central to the softnes. The Nikon type is actually a diffusion filter that scatters light into the surrounding areas of the frame, lowering contrast, and creating the effect of a softer focus, but in reality the image is still sharp. This also creates a pleasing, but distinctly different effect from the softar style; more like a photo taken with a very old lens.

So, the net result is this -- they are both great, but different -- it depends on the effect you are after. If yu go the diffuser route, I'd stick with the Nikon, because it imparts the best quality I've seen with this type of filter (However, I beleive they may only be available in 52mm and 62mm sizes). If you go the softar route, the B+W, Zeiss or Heliopan are all excellent (There is even a rumor that B+W makes all of the filters for these three companies!) Note: Either of these filter liners are expensive. Also, the softars are plastic, not glass, so require special care when cleaning. I like the #1 in the Nikon, and the #2 in the softar line.

Last comment. You can make an inexpensive version of the Nikon type filter yourself to experiment with... Take any old UV filter and a can of gold spray paint. Spray a mist of gold paint up into the air, and as the mist is falling, slowly sweep the flat of the filter up through the falling paint. Repeat this a few times untill you get the right amount of paint on the filter. (It should look like someone sneezed gold paint on it.) The good news is, if you screw up, the paint comes off with thinner, and you can start over. I have used this trick with black and white paint for slightly different diffusion effects. Most any camera shop has dozens of old UV filters lying around they will gladly sell cheap.

Jack

Jack

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), January 30, 2001.

Tiffen Soft/FX #2 or #3. One of the nicest softening effects I've seen, are available in many odd sizes, and are reasonably priced. Most of the time I use the soft focus filter only for tight portraits, (on my 90 Elmarit or Nikon 100mm lens) and it can be a very flattering effect for those of us over 12 years old. Check the archives at Photo.net--there are a lot of folks that swear by these Tiffens. The effect varies depending on your f-stop, with the greatest effect at the more wide apertures. What are your projected uses for the soft focus?

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), January 30, 2001.

This isn't a question with an answer.

The reason is that every type of soft focus filter produces a different effect. The Nikon filter gives not the best, but just one type of result. Some people like it, some don't. (I don't think there's much evidence to support the "most pros..." comment.) The Tiffen filter gives a very different result.

I've made my own and used Zeiss Softars, the Nikons, the Tiffen filters, and a few others. I still prefer my pinhole camera for soft images.

-- Jeff Spirer (jeff@spirer.com), January 30, 2001.

To Robert Applebee: There can be times when we want to produce a special effect, such as soft focus, to meet the goals of a picture. This doesn't mean that we don't exploit the high image quality of our fine lenses most of the time. There is a parallel situation in motion pictures. The Primo series of lenses for Panavision cameras were made by Leitz in the Canadian plant. I have read in The American Cinematographer about scenes in which soft-focus effects were needed in romanticized closeups in a certain movie, because the sharpness of the Primo lens would have been too realistic, spoiling the mood. This doesn't mean that Primo lenses, or Summicrons, aren't needed. It does mean that we don't take a picture for the sake of the lens.

Regards,

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), January 30, 2001.

get some reynolds wrap...or seran wrap...and a rubber band...u can figure out the rest i think...

-- grant (g4lamos@yahoo.com), January 30, 2001.

A section of nylon stocking salvaged from a trashed, donated pair will soften focus. You can actually stretch a piece over the lens and secure it in place by screwing a filter on, with the nylon secured between tht filter and lens threads.

Black to soften focus. White to " " , and lower contrast (know any nurses?)

Hey, It'll do in a pinch, and it's free!

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), January 30, 2001.

When I was shooting portaits for a living, I made my own "Softar" style filter by putting dabs of transparent glue onto a UV filter to crudely mimic the "lenses" on the Softar. It worked pretty well on a Hasselblad 150.

-- Paul Chefurka (paul_chefurka@pmc-sierra.com), January 31, 2001.

Bob, I hope no offence was generated by my post. As a documenrtary photographer I always want the sharpest lens/look I can get, no doubt for other uses soft focus effects are appropriate. Regards, a veree chastened Robbee Applebee.

-- Robert Appleby (laintal@tin.it), January 31, 2001.

None taken.

Best Wishes,

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), January 31, 2001.

Here is a source for the best prices on Heliopan filters, including some big discounts right now on 39mm & 46mm sizes.Heliopan filters

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), February 01, 2001.