What type of lens filter goes between the lens and body and has metal flakes in it?
About 20 years ago when I was just starting out in photography, I was at a portrait photographer's studio. He was showing me some of his equipment. One thing that I found interesting was a set of square filters he used. They were made of solid glass, about 1/8" to 1/4" thick and appeared to have metal flakes at different depths in the glass. What was odd was that the filters were inserted between the lens and the camera body rather than being mounted to the front of the lens. If I recall correctly, they gave a glowy, softening effect that I've heard videographers refer to as the "Barbara Walters" effect.
What are these filters called? I've never seen anything similar since then, though I don't do much portrait photography.
portrait filters
asked 5 hours ago
user1118321user1118321
2,445917
add a comment |
About 20 years ago when I was just starting out in photography, I was at a portrait photographer's studio. He was showing me some of his equipment. One thing that I found interesting was a set of square filters he used. They were made of solid glass, about 1/8" to 1/4" thick and appeared to have metal flakes at different depths in the glass. What was odd was that the filters were inserted between the lens and the camera body rather than being mounted to the front of the lens. If I recall correctly, they gave a glowy, softening effect that I've heard videographers refer to as the "Barbara Walters" effect.
What are these filters called? I've never seen anything similar since then, though I don't do much portrait photography.
portrait filters
asked 5 hours ago
user1118321user1118321
2,445917
add a comment |
About 20 years ago when I was just starting out in photography, I was at a portrait photographer's studio. He was showing me some of his equipment. One thing that I found interesting was a set of square filters he used. They were made of solid glass, about 1/8" to 1/4" thick and appeared to have metal flakes at different depths in the glass. What was odd was that the filters were inserted between the lens and the camera body rather than being mounted to the front of the lens. If I recall correctly, they gave a glowy, softening effect that I've heard videographers refer to as the "Barbara Walters" effect.
What are these filters called? I've never seen anything similar since then, though I don't do much portrait photography.
portrait filters
asked 5 hours ago
user1118321user1118321
2,445917
About 20 years ago when I was just starting out in photography, I was at a portrait photographer's studio. He was showing me some of his equipment. One thing that I found interesting was a set of square filters he used. They were made of solid glass, about 1/8" to 1/4" thick and appeared to have metal flakes at different depths in the glass. What was odd was that the filters were inserted between the lens and the camera body rather than being mounted to the front of the lens. If I recall correctly, they gave a glowy, softening effect that I've heard videographers refer to as the "Barbara Walters" effect.
What are these filters called? I've never seen anything similar since then, though I don't do much portrait photography.
portrait filters
portrait filters
asked 5 hours ago
user1118321user1118321
2,445917
asked 5 hours ago
user1118321user1118321
2,445917
edited 5 hours ago
user1118321
asked 5 hours ago
user1118321user1118321
2,445917
asked 5 hours ago
user1118321user1118321
2,445917
asked 5 hours ago
user1118321user1118321
2,445917
2,445917
add a comment |
add a comment |
2 Answers
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Although not as common as they used to be, there are lenses made with gelatin filter holders on the back of the lens. Probably two of the most common ones still in current catalogs are Canon's EF 17-40mm f/4 L and EF 14mm f/2.8 L.
Most lenses with such filters are wider angle lenses that make it problematic to place a filter in front of the lens, due to either bulbous front elements or issues with vignetting due to the lens' wide angles of view.
Going back even further, square glass filters behind the lens were much more common with large format view cameras than they are with smaller format cameras such as FF and smaller digital cameras. They were common enough that everyone familiar with large format cameras seems to know that inserting a glass filter behind the lens will alter the focus distance to the film by 1/3 the thickness of the filter. Thus the camera should always be focused after the filter is in place.
answered 1 hour ago
Michael CMichael C
131k7149368
This certainly sounds like what I think I remember seeing. Would you know of any brands of such filters? (Or model numbers?) I'm just curious to know more about them.
– user1118321
3 mins ago
add a comment |
You might be mixing up details from multiple items in this decades-old memory. Here are some possibilities, though none fit your description exactly:
There is a glimmerglass filter, which Tiffen describes as having 'a distinct silver 'sparkle'".
Some diffusion or soft-focus filters have a mesh within them that you might have thought were metal flakes.
Maybe it was a DIY filter with something sandwiched between two pieces of filter glass.
A teleconverter with multiple elements might appear to be thick glass and would fit between the lens and body. A poor-quality one could give images a "glow" or soft-focus look.
answered 3 hours ago
xiotaxiota
9,64131653
Thanks! My memory is definitely not great. The glimmerglass and smoque filters look like the effect that was produced. The filter was definitely not a teleconverter, though, as I had him scan one with a flatbed scanner and give me the resulting image file. (Alas, I no longer have the file.) But this is definitely in the right direction. Thank you! If it helps, I'm pretty sure they were rectangular and not round. The DIY aspect is an interesting thought. I don't think he made them himself, but it's possible.
– user1118321
2 hours ago
You can try fogging the front element of your lens by breathing on it to see if that produces an effect you like. In principle, it should be solute-free and evaporate away harmlessly, as long as nothing touches it first.
– xiota
1 hour ago
As far as I'm aware, most square/rectangular filters go in front of the lens in a holder. Some lenses are designed to take filters behind the rear element, but the ones I've seen are round. Thick glass would also be expected to affect focusing. So the lens and filter would have to be designed to work together.
– xiota
1 hour ago
add a comment |
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2 Answers
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2 Answers
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Although not as common as they used to be, there are lenses made with gelatin filter holders on the back of the lens. Probably two of the most common ones still in current catalogs are Canon's EF 17-40mm f/4 L and EF 14mm f/2.8 L.
Most lenses with such filters are wider angle lenses that make it problematic to place a filter in front of the lens, due to either bulbous front elements or issues with vignetting due to the lens' wide angles of view.
Going back even further, square glass filters behind the lens were much more common with large format view cameras than they are with smaller format cameras such as FF and smaller digital cameras. They were common enough that everyone familiar with large format cameras seems to know that inserting a glass filter behind the lens will alter the focus distance to the film by 1/3 the thickness of the filter. Thus the camera should always be focused after the filter is in place.
answered 1 hour ago
Michael CMichael C
131k7149368
This certainly sounds like what I think I remember seeing. Would you know of any brands of such filters? (Or model numbers?) I'm just curious to know more about them.
– user1118321
3 mins ago
add a comment |
Although not as common as they used to be, there are lenses made with gelatin filter holders on the back of the lens. Probably two of the most common ones still in current catalogs are Canon's EF 17-40mm f/4 L and EF 14mm f/2.8 L.
Most lenses with such filters are wider angle lenses that make it problematic to place a filter in front of the lens, due to either bulbous front elements or issues with vignetting due to the lens' wide angles of view.
Going back even further, square glass filters behind the lens were much more common with large format view cameras than they are with smaller format cameras such as FF and smaller digital cameras. They were common enough that everyone familiar with large format cameras seems to know that inserting a glass filter behind the lens will alter the focus distance to the film by 1/3 the thickness of the filter. Thus the camera should always be focused after the filter is in place.
answered 1 hour ago
Michael CMichael C
131k7149368
This certainly sounds like what I think I remember seeing. Would you know of any brands of such filters? (Or model numbers?) I'm just curious to know more about them.
– user1118321
3 mins ago
add a comment |
Although not as common as they used to be, there are lenses made with gelatin filter holders on the back of the lens. Probably two of the most common ones still in current catalogs are Canon's EF 17-40mm f/4 L and EF 14mm f/2.8 L.
Most lenses with such filters are wider angle lenses that make it problematic to place a filter in front of the lens, due to either bulbous front elements or issues with vignetting due to the lens' wide angles of view.
Going back even further, square glass filters behind the lens were much more common with large format view cameras than they are with smaller format cameras such as FF and smaller digital cameras. They were common enough that everyone familiar with large format cameras seems to know that inserting a glass filter behind the lens will alter the focus distance to the film by 1/3 the thickness of the filter. Thus the camera should always be focused after the filter is in place.
answered 1 hour ago
Michael CMichael C
131k7149368
Although not as common as they used to be, there are lenses made with gelatin filter holders on the back of the lens. Probably two of the most common ones still in current catalogs are Canon's EF 17-40mm f/4 L and EF 14mm f/2.8 L.
Most lenses with such filters are wider angle lenses that make it problematic to place a filter in front of the lens, due to either bulbous front elements or issues with vignetting due to the lens' wide angles of view.
Going back even further, square glass filters behind the lens were much more common with large format view cameras than they are with smaller format cameras such as FF and smaller digital cameras. They were common enough that everyone familiar with large format cameras seems to know that inserting a glass filter behind the lens will alter the focus distance to the film by 1/3 the thickness of the filter. Thus the camera should always be focused after the filter is in place.
answered 1 hour ago
Michael CMichael C
131k7149368
answered 1 hour ago
Michael CMichael C
131k7149368
answered 1 hour ago
Michael CMichael C
131k7149368
answered 1 hour ago
Michael CMichael C
131k7149368
131k7149368
This certainly sounds like what I think I remember seeing. Would you know of any brands of such filters? (Or model numbers?) I'm just curious to know more about them.
– user1118321
3 mins ago
add a comment |
This certainly sounds like what I think I remember seeing. Would you know of any brands of such filters? (Or model numbers?) I'm just curious to know more about them.
– user1118321
3 mins ago
This certainly sounds like what I think I remember seeing. Would you know of any brands of such filters? (Or model numbers?) I'm just curious to know more about them.
– user1118321
3 mins ago
This certainly sounds like what I think I remember seeing. Would you know of any brands of such filters? (Or model numbers?) I'm just curious to know more about them.
– user1118321
3 mins ago
add a comment |
You might be mixing up details from multiple items in this decades-old memory. Here are some possibilities, though none fit your description exactly:
There is a glimmerglass filter, which Tiffen describes as having 'a distinct silver 'sparkle'".
Some diffusion or soft-focus filters have a mesh within them that you might have thought were metal flakes.
Maybe it was a DIY filter with something sandwiched between two pieces of filter glass.
A teleconverter with multiple elements might appear to be thick glass and would fit between the lens and body. A poor-quality one could give images a "glow" or soft-focus look.
answered 3 hours ago
xiotaxiota
9,64131653
Thanks! My memory is definitely not great. The glimmerglass and smoque filters look like the effect that was produced. The filter was definitely not a teleconverter, though, as I had him scan one with a flatbed scanner and give me the resulting image file. (Alas, I no longer have the file.) But this is definitely in the right direction. Thank you! If it helps, I'm pretty sure they were rectangular and not round. The DIY aspect is an interesting thought. I don't think he made them himself, but it's possible.
– user1118321
2 hours ago
You can try fogging the front element of your lens by breathing on it to see if that produces an effect you like. In principle, it should be solute-free and evaporate away harmlessly, as long as nothing touches it first.
– xiota
1 hour ago
As far as I'm aware, most square/rectangular filters go in front of the lens in a holder. Some lenses are designed to take filters behind the rear element, but the ones I've seen are round. Thick glass would also be expected to affect focusing. So the lens and filter would have to be designed to work together.
– xiota
1 hour ago
add a comment |
You might be mixing up details from multiple items in this decades-old memory. Here are some possibilities, though none fit your description exactly:
There is a glimmerglass filter, which Tiffen describes as having 'a distinct silver 'sparkle'".
Some diffusion or soft-focus filters have a mesh within them that you might have thought were metal flakes.
Maybe it was a DIY filter with something sandwiched between two pieces of filter glass.
A teleconverter with multiple elements might appear to be thick glass and would fit between the lens and body. A poor-quality one could give images a "glow" or soft-focus look.
answered 3 hours ago
xiotaxiota
9,64131653
Thanks! My memory is definitely not great. The glimmerglass and smoque filters look like the effect that was produced. The filter was definitely not a teleconverter, though, as I had him scan one with a flatbed scanner and give me the resulting image file. (Alas, I no longer have the file.) But this is definitely in the right direction. Thank you! If it helps, I'm pretty sure they were rectangular and not round. The DIY aspect is an interesting thought. I don't think he made them himself, but it's possible.
– user1118321
2 hours ago
You can try fogging the front element of your lens by breathing on it to see if that produces an effect you like. In principle, it should be solute-free and evaporate away harmlessly, as long as nothing touches it first.
– xiota
1 hour ago
As far as I'm aware, most square/rectangular filters go in front of the lens in a holder. Some lenses are designed to take filters behind the rear element, but the ones I've seen are round. Thick glass would also be expected to affect focusing. So the lens and filter would have to be designed to work together.
– xiota
1 hour ago
add a comment |
You might be mixing up details from multiple items in this decades-old memory. Here are some possibilities, though none fit your description exactly:
There is a glimmerglass filter, which Tiffen describes as having 'a distinct silver 'sparkle'".
Some diffusion or soft-focus filters have a mesh within them that you might have thought were metal flakes.
Maybe it was a DIY filter with something sandwiched between two pieces of filter glass.
A teleconverter with multiple elements might appear to be thick glass and would fit between the lens and body. A poor-quality one could give images a "glow" or soft-focus look.
answered 3 hours ago
xiotaxiota
9,64131653
You might be mixing up details from multiple items in this decades-old memory. Here are some possibilities, though none fit your description exactly:
There is a glimmerglass filter, which Tiffen describes as having 'a distinct silver 'sparkle'".
Some diffusion or soft-focus filters have a mesh within them that you might have thought were metal flakes.
Maybe it was a DIY filter with something sandwiched between two pieces of filter glass.
A teleconverter with multiple elements might appear to be thick glass and would fit between the lens and body. A poor-quality one could give images a "glow" or soft-focus look.
answered 3 hours ago
xiotaxiota
9,64131653
edited 2 hours ago
answered 3 hours ago
xiotaxiota
9,64131653
answered 3 hours ago
xiotaxiota
9,64131653
answered 3 hours ago
xiotaxiota
9,64131653
9,64131653
Thanks! My memory is definitely not great. The glimmerglass and smoque filters look like the effect that was produced. The filter was definitely not a teleconverter, though, as I had him scan one with a flatbed scanner and give me the resulting image file. (Alas, I no longer have the file.) But this is definitely in the right direction. Thank you! If it helps, I'm pretty sure they were rectangular and not round. The DIY aspect is an interesting thought. I don't think he made them himself, but it's possible.
– user1118321
2 hours ago
You can try fogging the front element of your lens by breathing on it to see if that produces an effect you like. In principle, it should be solute-free and evaporate away harmlessly, as long as nothing touches it first.
– xiota
1 hour ago
As far as I'm aware, most square/rectangular filters go in front of the lens in a holder. Some lenses are designed to take filters behind the rear element, but the ones I've seen are round. Thick glass would also be expected to affect focusing. So the lens and filter would have to be designed to work together.
– xiota
1 hour ago
add a comment |
Thanks! My memory is definitely not great. The glimmerglass and smoque filters look like the effect that was produced. The filter was definitely not a teleconverter, though, as I had him scan one with a flatbed scanner and give me the resulting image file. (Alas, I no longer have the file.) But this is definitely in the right direction. Thank you! If it helps, I'm pretty sure they were rectangular and not round. The DIY aspect is an interesting thought. I don't think he made them himself, but it's possible.
– user1118321
2 hours ago
You can try fogging the front element of your lens by breathing on it to see if that produces an effect you like. In principle, it should be solute-free and evaporate away harmlessly, as long as nothing touches it first.
– xiota
1 hour ago
As far as I'm aware, most square/rectangular filters go in front of the lens in a holder. Some lenses are designed to take filters behind the rear element, but the ones I've seen are round. Thick glass would also be expected to affect focusing. So the lens and filter would have to be designed to work together.
– xiota
1 hour ago
Thanks! My memory is definitely not great. The glimmerglass and smoque filters look like the effect that was produced. The filter was definitely not a teleconverter, though, as I had him scan one with a flatbed scanner and give me the resulting image file. (Alas, I no longer have the file.) But this is definitely in the right direction. Thank you! If it helps, I'm pretty sure they were rectangular and not round. The DIY aspect is an interesting thought. I don't think he made them himself, but it's possible.
– user1118321
2 hours ago
Thanks! My memory is definitely not great. The glimmerglass and smoque filters look like the effect that was produced. The filter was definitely not a teleconverter, though, as I had him scan one with a flatbed scanner and give me the resulting image file. (Alas, I no longer have the file.) But this is definitely in the right direction. Thank you! If it helps, I'm pretty sure they were rectangular and not round. The DIY aspect is an interesting thought. I don't think he made them himself, but it's possible.
– user1118321
2 hours ago
You can try fogging the front element of your lens by breathing on it to see if that produces an effect you like. In principle, it should be solute-free and evaporate away harmlessly, as long as nothing touches it first.
– xiota
1 hour ago
You can try fogging the front element of your lens by breathing on it to see if that produces an effect you like. In principle, it should be solute-free and evaporate away harmlessly, as long as nothing touches it first.
– xiota
1 hour ago
As far as I'm aware, most square/rectangular filters go in front of the lens in a holder. Some lenses are designed to take filters behind the rear element, but the ones I've seen are round. Thick glass would also be expected to affect focusing. So the lens and filter would have to be designed to work together.
– xiota
1 hour ago
As far as I'm aware, most square/rectangular filters go in front of the lens in a holder. Some lenses are designed to take filters behind the rear element, but the ones I've seen are round. Thick glass would also be expected to affect focusing. So the lens and filter would have to be designed to work together.
– xiota
1 hour ago
add a comment |
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