Tiffen 5.65 x 5.65" Soft Edge Graduated 0.9 ND Filter

Over the years, Tiffen Color-Grad filters have emerged as an indispensable tool in the photography industry, widely recognized for their ability to enhance and manipulate the visual aesthetics of an image. These filters are expertly designed to either create captivating illusions or amplify the existing reality in your photographs.

One of the key applications of the Tiffen Color-Grad filters is their ability to inject a burst of color into a dull sky, transforming it into a vibrant backdrop. They can also be used to alter specific colors within a scene, enabling photographers to achieve a desired special effect. Furthermore, these filters can enhance existing colors, creating subtle color drama, or balance exposure in situations with uneven lighting.

The Tiffen Color-Grad filters are available in a variety of sizes and colors, and are crafted with either a soft edge or a hard edge. The transition area in a soft edge filter ranges from 1/2" to 2" wide before reaching full density, depending on the size of the filter. On the other hand, the transition area in a hard edge filter is approximately 1/4" to 1/2" wide before reaching full density. As a special order, attenuated gradients are also available, where the transition area spans the entire filter, starting clear and reaching maximum density at the opposite end.

For rectangular-shaped filters, such as the 4x5.650 (Panavision size), the terms vertical and horizontal are crucial as they refer to the position of the filter in relation to the camera when the grad line is horizontal.

The choice between a "hard" edge or "soft" edge Tiffen Color-Grad filter largely depends on the type of lens used and the subject matter. Telephoto lenses utilize a small portion of the filter, hence a hard edge is recommended for long lenses as a soft edge might get lost in the image. Conversely, wide-angle lenses make objects appear smaller, making a soft edge ideal for short focal lengths as a hard edge gradient would appear as a hard straight line. Soft edges and attenuators are perfect for subtle blending with irregular-shaped subjects or unusual lighting conditions.