Diffusion
& Softening filters
by J. Ramón Palacios
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a friend about this article
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SOFTENING
FILTERS
Another later portrait
diffusion type involves the use of small "dimples," or clear
refracting shapes -in fact minute lenses- dispersed at irregular
distances on an otherwise clear optical surface.
.
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| Sample image made
with a Hoya Softener filter |
Round or diamond-shaped,
these are capable of more efficient selective diffusion
than the net type. They don't lower contrast, by tinting
shadows, as light-colored nets do. These dimples refract
light throughout their surface, not just at the edges like
the center spot filter. For any given amount of clear space
through the filter, which is relative to overall sharpness,
they can more efficiently hide fine details than net filters.
The Nikon Soft, Zeiss Softar and the Tiffen Soft belong
to this type.
I have never used
the Hoya Softener filter myself, but fortunately fellow
Nikonian Luca Chichizola (username: Beer) has and he shows
us here (above) an image of his charming wife made with
an 80-200mm f/2.8 ED AF Nikkor, at about 135mm and f/4 on
Kodak Echtachrome E100VS.
Randomly arranged
minute lenses on the surface of the acrylic Hoya filter,
create a picture with clear focus and soft gradation.
The advantage (for
me) of the Nikon Soft over the Softar-type filters, is that
by changing the aperture you change the degree of softness,
the more open the aperture the greater the effect; the more
closed down, the lesser effect. The image at the top of the
first page was made at f/5.6, my favorite aperture setting
for this filter. An interesting added effect is that highlights
are more softened that shadows. Something to keep in mind
at the backdrop.
Through optical design, the Softars maintain the degree of
softness regardless of aperture so if you need varying degrees
of softening, depending on your subject, you do need to keep
a series of filters. Some prefer this type since the amount
of softness is always the same, regardless of aperture used
on the lens.
I use the Nikon Soft 1. The Nikon Soft 2 is just too much
for my personal taste. The sample image shown in the previous
page was taken with a 35-70mm f/2.8D AF lens with a Soft 1
filter to reduce its ultra-sharpness. This Nikon Soft 1 of
mine is now called "the magic filter" by my female friends
and it is especially requested, as they love the results.
Unfortunately
the Nikon Soft cannot be found in 77mm diameter, so I now
have a B+W Carl Zeiss Softar 1.
Whatever filter
you choose ... or not
Have a great time 
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