Yes, it does.

3 months later...
 

Hey Ryan - how's that "workable solution" coming?

Art Adams and I, together with Robert Orlando from Tiffen just completed some tests of Tiffen's prototype dye based IR filter for Tungstun on the EX-1. Actually it might be more accurate to say its a filter for "far red" problems rather than just IR, but I'll avoid that complexity.

I am extremely happy to report that Tiffen has appeared to completely solve this problem.

The prototype is slightly green so requires a white balance, but it completely solves red in black materials under tungstun or daylight and regardless of how much ND you shoot with. One filter solves all.

This was only the prototype and I don't know how soon it will be in commercial production. The final version I expect may be even make us happier.

Thanks and kudos to the engineering team at Tiffen.

Lenny Levy

Good news, Lenny. One question that I've been meaning to ask: When reference is made to ND filters used in conjunction with this (or any) IR filter, are you strictly speaking about "external" ND filters stacked under the IR filter OR does this apply to the internal ND filters in the Sony? Sorry for the "duhhh" question, but this has always been fuzzy for me.

any test under halogen light? ;)

Leonard, what about the loss of light induced by this filter? Is it still about half a stop? Or did Tiffen manage to reduce it?

external or internal ND's - same
Yes 1/2 stop , but who knows what the final version will be.

Leonard, does Tiffen's filter produce a green halo around the edges of the frame at the wide end of the lens? (B+W does a bit).

No, That is the significance of a dye based filter.

Thanks Leonard, Good news

I'm anxiously awaiting to pay $50 for this in 4X4 :)

Maybe Ryan will take back my 486? ;-)

Leonard,
I'm still a little confused.... I have understood that the Tiffen IRND filters had a specific amount of dye based on the ND level of the filter.
If the new Tiffen filter coming out without ND works with regular (non-IRND) ND filters, why is it that the IRND filters could not be combined with regular ND filters before? Is this a totally new approach?
Art says in his article that the Tiffen filter can only be used with IRND ND filters, but that it surprisingly did appear to work with the internal NDs in the camera which baffled him. He says it shouldn't work like that....

I continue to be baffled.....

Is this a totally new approach?

Yes.

We've been looking at lots of filters with the EX-1 and much of what Art initially said was based on assuming it was similar to other Sony's. We found though that the Tiffen IRND's had no effect on the EX-1 .

This whole business has been confusing and each camera has been different.

The new Tiffen filter seems to work extremely well and simplifies the issue on the Ex-1 . I'm not sure yet what role it play with other cameras. I hope they come out with a production version soon.

Lenny,

Are Tiffen going to supply it as a screw-on, or 4x5.25", or both?

I'll eagerly await the release..... this truly does sound like the 'holy grail' of filters if it can indeed be used with regular NDs!