B+W vs Tiffen

[Andrew Petrie]

I'd like to invest in a few filters similar to those found in the Tiffen Film Look kit, specifically a Pro Mist, and possibly the Diffusion FX. Has anyone used the B+W alternatives?

I'd like to continue investing in B+W filters, but there's a substantial price difference. I'm questioning if it's really worth the extra money, but I am very pleased with my B+W CircPol with it's adjustable ring. Since I use the CircPol whenever I am outdoors, it was a good investment.

[Jeff Donald]

For DV I don't think it will make that big of a difference to justify the cost difference. I'm a big proponent of buying the best that you can afford. If the B +W is out of reach the Tiffen is no slouch. I've seen some great shots done with the Tiffens. Can you try one or two before you buy a whole set? Check the retailers return policy, so that if you're totally dissatisfied you can return them and get your money back.

[Don Berube]

Hi Andrew,

Are you looking for screw-on filters or 4x4 or 4x5 filters?

- don

[Frank Granovski]

Cokin has some good ones, and so do Tiffen and Heliopan and B+W. You just have to pick and choose. Now to answer one of your questions, I think you can't beat the Zeiss Softars. Both Heliopan and B+W carry them. VERY expensive, though.

[Andrew Petrie]

Thanks for the rplies so far.

I'm speaking of 72mm screw-on filters. Although I'd love to have a mattebox, I prefer the portability of the screwins and the price differnece is quite substantial (as previously noted)

I read up on softars not too long ago in a thread on DVi. They sound fantastic.

The store in question is closing it's doors at the end of the month, and I wanted to take advantage of the sale prices they currently have. A soft/diffusion is something I want in my filter set.

[David Slingerland]

i wonder if somebody could tell me a little more specific what the black diffusion and the soft fx filters are good for...not what tiffen or other company's put down in two lines. Anybody out there with some good first hand experience, when to use these filters and if you can use them on top of each other...for instance I do currently use blackpromist 1/2 with polarizer filter and i like its results. But the other filters are new to me...They are also suposed to give a filmlook??? Both the filters above also have little spots on them what is there use?

thanks,

[Don Berube]

Mr. Slingerland,

Please do take the time to take advantage of the SEARCH feature (upper right screen) in these forums. For instance, if you were to do a SEARCH with the keywords "Black Diffusion FX", you'll receive many different posts which address your questions.

Here's some handy info on using the Tiffen Black Diffusion FX and other TIffen filters with the XL1S:
http://noisybrain.com/onloc1_01.html and
http://noisybrain.com/onloc1_02.html and
http://www.lafcpug.org/curseofdigital_feature.html and
http://www.tiffen.com/camera_filters.htm and
http://www.tiffen.com/black__diffusion.htm

Please do keep in touch,

- don

[David Slingerland]

thanks for your kind remarks Donald,
i did try the search button but i still didnt get the info i was looking for.
I read your article and the shots look very good, the tiffen info is also great.
but maybe you can help me with some of my conclusions, when working with th canon xl1 i noticed that the filters work best if you take a close shot in wide angle i do not see very much difference...got to do with dv ?
i am trying to find the right filter combination that will make it possible for me to shoot in daytime, sunlight (strong) and bring the contrast down somewhat.. because i dont like the picture i am getting from my camera. It is very hard and difficult not to overexpose without underexposing, you know what i mean? (forgive me for my english)

greetings

D

[Don Berube]

David,

>>>>when working with th canon xl1 i noticed that the filters work best if you take a close shot in wide angle i do not see very much difference...got to do with dv ?

- Please explain more of what you are asking. Not quite sure exactly what your words mean. Are you perhaps saying that you sometimes see the filter pattern when you are not wide angle and zoomed in on the lens? Please clarify, also which filters are you currently using?

Are you using the XL1 or XL1S?
What exposure Mode are you using typically outside?
What lens are you using?

- don

[David Slingerland]

the black diffusion 1/2 is very subtle...specially for the canon xl1. I think maybe for the canon a low contrast filter would be best. The black diffusion probably works best on faces but not so good on scenery shots. Maybe you have some different experiences?