Used Schneider 6.6x6.6" Classic Soft 2 Professional Glass Filter.

Because capturing the perfect image often requires precise control over the visual elements, the 6.6x6.6" Classic Soft 2 Professional Glass Filter from Schneider offers photographers and cinematographers an exceptional tool for enhancing their imagery. This filter is infused with hundreds of Micro-Lenslets, meticulously and evenly distributed throughout its surface. These Micro-Lenslets are the key to the Classic Soft filter's ability to produce a distinctive softening effect, which gracefully smooths out imperfections such as blemishes and wrinkles, while preserving the essential details and textures of the subject.

The Classic Soft 2 variant, in particular, is adept at adding an ethereal mood to scenes by inducing a gentle glow in the highlights, creating an atmosphere that can elevate the emotional impact of the image. This effect is especially beneficial in portrait and beauty photography, where a flattering rendition of the subject is paramount.

Crafted with the utmost precision, each filter is diamond cut from crystal-clear, water-white optical glass. Schneider's commitment to quality is evident as each filter is ground and polished to achieve a flawless flatness and plane-parallelism. This meticulous process ensures that the filter's front and back surfaces are perfectly parallel, a feature that is confirmed with the use of a laser interferometer. The rigorous quality control extends to density consistency, checked with a densitometer, and light transmission, verified with a spectrophotometer. Such attention to detail guarantees that cinematographers can interchange filters without any noticeable variation in color or effect, thus maintaining continuity throughout the shoot.

Durability is another cornerstone of Schneider filters. Many are treated with a specially formulated hard anti-reflective (AR) coating that is engineered to withstand the challenges of a demanding set or location shoot. This coating not only resists flaking, peeling, and scratching but also minimizes light loss and flare to less than 1% per surface - a stark contrast to the 4% light loss typically associated with untreated glass. The filters' brass precision mounting rings are designed to be virtually jam-proof, ensuring a secure and reliable fit.

Schneider's unique Edge Seal further protects unmounted laminated filters from delamination and edge-chipping, while also mitigating edge reflection and flare. This attention to the filter's edge integrity ensures that the image quality remains uncompromised, even at the periphery.

Dispelling the myth that filters should not be used with long focal length lenses, Schneider filters defy this misconception with their superior build and performance. Even when paired with lenses that have a critically short depth of field, these filters maintain impeccable image quality. The high-grade optical glass, coupled with advanced grinding and polishing techniques, ensures that there is no discernible degradation of the image, even when viewed directly through the viewfinder.

In summary, the 6.6x6.6" Classic Soft 2 Professional Glass Filter is a testament to Schneider's dedication to optical excellence. It is a clear choice for professionals seeking to enhance their visual storytelling without compromising on image clarity, color fidelity, or consistency. Whether used in a controlled studio environment or on a dynamic location shoot, this filter stands as an indispensable tool for achieving a refined and captivating visual narrative.