Formatt Hitech 4 x 4 Filter Starter Kit Number 1

Description

The Formatt 4x4" Filter Starter Kit #1 contains 5 separate filters that are highly useful for most picture-taking situations. Included are a HD 0.6 solid ND, a HD 0.6 graduated soft-edged ND, a circular polariser, a skin tone enhancer, and a full frame contrast 1 filter.

The HD 0.6 solid neutral density filter provides a reduction of about 2 stops. This 0.6 density creates a darkening of the entire image, allowing you to photograph with a wider aperture or slower shutter speed than normally required. By slowing your exposure time or increasing your aperture, you are able to control depth of field and convey movement more easily. Neutral density filters do not affect the colouration of the image and are ideal for pairing with other filters.

The HD 0.6 graduated soft-edged neutral density filter is similar to the solid ND filter, but the density only covers a portion of the filter. The gradation runs from the top of the filter to the middle, ending with a gentle tapering without a definite, fine line. This filter is especially useful for darkening and controlling skies and other bright areas of the image.

The HD circular polariser helps to reduce reflections and glare by filtering out light that has become polarised due to reflection from a non-metallic surface. The light from the sun naturally becomes partially polarised due to reflecting off electrons in air molecules, causing the light to scatter into what appears as haze. A polarising filter arranges, and filters, this directionally polarised light perpendicularly to the reflected light, allowing for the absorption of much of this light. This results in a noticeable reduction of glare and reflections from non-metallic surfaces and an increase in the saturation of skies and foliage.

A circular polariser only differs from a linear polariser in that it contains a quarter wave plane in addition to the linear polarising filter. The addition of this quarter wave plane is to circularly polarise the linearly polarised light for the use of auto focus and exposure functions. Due to how the light is broken down and filtered with a linear polariser, auto focus and exposure accuracy become skewed during use. When the light becomes circularly polarised, it permits the use of these functions.

The HD skin tone enhancer filter provides warmth to skin tones and is designed specifically for portraiture. By absorbing the blue cast from some light sources, this filter helps to neutralise cooler colour casts and add a glow to subject matter. It can also be used as a warmer alternative to a UV filter.

The HD full frame contrast 1 filter helps to reduce the value of the highlights while slightly lowering the overall contrast. This filter is especially useful for smoothing out and softening facial wrinkles and other fine details. Unlike diffusion or soft focus filters, contrast filters provide little loss of detail across the image. The 1 density provides a subtle effect, allowing for light softening and reduction in high-key situations.

Formatt filters combine high-quality Schott glass with specially formulated CR-39 resin in order to contain synthetic dyes while still garnering the benefits of optical glass. These filters measure 4 x 4" / 101.6 x 101.6mm and are compatible with the Cokin Z-Pro filter holder.

Key Features

• 0.6 ND filter darkens the image, allowing you to photograph with a longer shutter speed or wider aperture than normally required.
• Soft-edged 0.6 ND graduated filter for darkening skies and other bright areas of the image.
• Polariser filter helps to reduce reflections and glare by filtering out light that has become polarised due to reflection off of a non-metallic surface.
• Skin tone enhancer filter adds warmth to skin tones and helps to absorb blue light casts.
• Full frame contrast 1 filter reduces value of the highlights while slightly lowering the overall contrast.
• 4 x 4" / 101.6 x 101.6mm filters are compatible with the Cokin Z-Pro filter holder.

Specifications