diffusion filters for portrait photos at DVinfo.net

Dylan Couper · April 13th, 2004, 04:39 PM

I know the Zeiss Softar filters are highly regarded as tops for portrait photos, unfortunately they are priced to match, and currently out of my photography budget.

I'm looking for a lower cost alternative. I found the Tiffen Softnet series of filters. Does anyone have any experience with these?

Any other suggestions?

Cannon Pearson · April 13th, 2004, 07:24 PM

I would stay away from the Softnet filters. I you shoot with them at small apertures you'll get the pattern of the net in your photos. I've always just used acetate between a cheap filter and the lens. You can add fingerprints to deepen the effect. Black pantyhose stretched over the lens also works pretty well. It's possible that you may see patterns in that as well, but pantyhose is generally woven tigher than Softnet filters.

Jeff Donald · April 16th, 2004, 09:10 PM

Hoya has a line of soft focus filters that are pretty good. A step or two above Tiffin's, in my opinion.

April 13th, 2004, 04:39 PM	#1
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	diffusion filters for portrait photos I know the Zeiss Softar filters are highly regarded as tops for portrait photos, unfortunately they are priced to match, and currently out of my photography budget. I'm looking for a lower cost alternative. I found the Tiffen Softnet series of filters. Does anyone have any experience with these? Any other suggestions? __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

April 16th, 2004, 09:10 PM	#3
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Hoya has a line of soft focus filters that are pretty good. A step or two above Tiffin's, in my opinion. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

April 13th, 2004, 07:24 PM	#2
Cannon Pearson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 123	I would stay away from the Softnet filters. I you shoot with them at small apertures you'll get the pattern of the net in your photos. I've always just used acetate between a cheap filter and the lens. You can add fingerprints to deepen the effect. Black pantyhose stretched over the lens also works pretty well. It's possible that you may see patterns in that as well, but pantyhose is generally woven tigher than Softnet filters.