Tiffen 58mm Classic Hollywood FX Filter KitnSoft FX FiltersnTiffen's Soft FX filters are artistic blur filters. These filters feature a pattern of tiny lenses that blur fine detail, such as wrinkles and skin blemishes, whilst keeping larger details such as eyes sharp. Soft FX filters are available in most sizes, with gradations ranging from one-half to five, with grade 5 having the most pronounced softening effect. This filter is particularly effective for soft artistic portraits.nThis filter combines the effects of Tiffen's Soft FX series and their exclusive 812 warming filter.nnStar FiltersnStar filters create multiple points of light, or "stars", which radiate from a central light source. This can give scene lighting a more sparkling, glamorous appearance. This effect is produced by a series of fine lines etched onto the flat optical surface of a clear filter. The size and brightness of the star lines produced depends primarily on the size, shape and brightness of the light source.nYou have additional control through the choice of a particular spacing between filter lines. These spacings are measured in millimetres and range from 1mm to 4mm. A 1mm spacing has twice as many lines as a 2mm spacing. It will produce a brighter star for a given source. Lines in one direction produce a two-point star, just a streak across the centre of the light. Tiffen offers symmetrical 4, 6 and 8-point star effects as well as additional asymmetric star patterns through their exclusive Hollywood F/X series (North, Hyper, Vector and Hollywood star effects).nWith an 8-point filter, the many star lines can tend to dominate the rest of the image, so use with care. Generally, medium or wider apertures are sufficient to achieve a good star effect. Always test before critical situations. These filters are supplied with a rotating mount for precise placement of the star effect.nnPro Mist FiltersnPro-Mist filters, which are part of Tiffen's Hollywood FX series, generally produce highlight flare that more resembles a "halo" than the more extended flare of a fog filter. By keeping the flare closer to the subject, they create an almost pearlescent glow on the highlights. Available in various degrees of diffusion strength (with grade 5 having the strongest effect), lower grades of the filter are also used to reduce excessive sharpness and contrast in modern film and lens combinations without degrading the image. The Black Pro-Mist series of filters also creates moderate image softening and moderate to strong highlight flare, but without as much lightening effect in shadow areas.nBoth filters are also available in a "Warm" series which combines the Pro Mist effect with Tiffen's exclusive 812 warming filter.nnUltra Contrast FiltersnBright lights or sunlight create problems when the ratio between highlight and shadow areas exceeds the film's latitude. If you expose for the highlights, the shadows appear without detail. If you expose for the shadows, the result is washed-out, overly bright highlights. Contrast reduction is achieved by lightening shadows without overexposing highlights or by darkening highlights without further darkening shadows.nTiffen's Ultra Contrast filters work by using ambient light surrounding the image area as well as light within the image area itself. They uniformly reduce contrast, with little or no loss of sharpness, throughout the scene even when there are different degrees of brightness in the image. Shadow areas are opened up, revealing more detail, but without any flare or halation from direct light sources or bright reflections. Even photographing directly facing the sun produces no flare or halo. Ultra Contrast filters are available in grades 1 to 5, with #5 having the most significant effect.