What is the difference between a Tiffen UltraContrast and Lowlight UltraContrast? at DVinfo.net

David Ziegelheim · August 10th, 2006, 08:24 PM

The lowlight works in lower light, but when would you use it? Does it handle bright areas differently (say sunny windows behind a dark room)? When does a regular Ultra Contrast not handle low light? Are their any adverse effects? Are there any examples online? How do the different grades work?

Lots of questions!!!

Thanks,

David

P.S.
Should there be a separate filter forum?

David Mullen · August 10th, 2006, 09:15 PM

The UltraCon filter reacts to the amount of soft ambient light hitting the glass, so you have to watch over-shading the mattebox. Conversely, because of this very design, you also have to avoid direct light striking the filter because then it washes out the image.

The heaviest filter is a #5, which is pretty strong (hazy) in day exterior shooting. Most people opt for a #2 or so.

However, at night where there is a minimal amount of ambient light hitting the lens, even a #5 can look like it's not doing anything, so they made the Low-Light UltraCon, which is basically just much heavier than a #5. It would look horribly milky in a day exterior shoot.

David Ziegelheim · August 10th, 2006, 10:27 PM

#2…that strong? Not 1/4 or 1/2?

Why would you use an Ultra Contrast at night? To balance street lights with shadows? Are the lowlight Ultra Contrast then just like a #6 to #10?

On the HDTV/FX, a #2 would also mean a #2 Digital Diffusion/FX. Isn't that strong for a Digital Diffusion/FX?

Thanks,

David

David Mullen · August 11th, 2006, 12:02 AM

I haven't used the Digital Diffusion-FX to know the effect of each number. There isn't any standard -- for example, a #1 Tiffen GlimmerGlass is about as strong as a #1/8 ProMist.

Often a filter company makes the #1 filter the lightest, then ends up making fractions later when people start asking for even lighter effects. The #1 Soft-FX was the lightest until people kept asking Tiffen for something lighter and they made the #1/2 Soft-FX, but that's the lightest they make.

As for why someone would want to use an UltraCon at night, you'd have to ask them. I know that "Point Break" was shot that way. Maybe they hope that some low level of detail will be brought out.

The #1 UltraCon is pretty subtle, but I suppose someone has found a use for a 1/4 and 1/2, which is why Tiffen now makes them. You're just going to have to test to figure out which ones to use.

David Ziegelheim · August 13th, 2006, 08:40 PM

Ordered the #2 Ultra Contrast.

August 11th, 2006, 12:02 AM	#4
David Mullen American Society of Cinematographers Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 123	I haven't used the Digital Diffusion-FX to know the effect of each number. There isn't any standard -- for example, a #1 Tiffen GlimmerGlass is about as strong as a #1/8 ProMist. Often a filter company makes the #1 filter the lightest, then ends up making fractions later when people start asking for even lighter effects. The #1 Soft-FX was the lightest until people kept asking Tiffen for something lighter and they made the #1/2 Soft-FX, but that's the lightest they make. As for why someone would want to use an UltraCon at night, you'd have to ask them. I know that "Point Break" was shot that way. Maybe they hope that some low level of detail will be brought out. The #1 UltraCon is pretty subtle, but I suppose someone has found a use for a 1/4 and 1/2, which is why Tiffen now makes them. You're just going to have to test to figure out which ones to use. __________________ David Mullen, ASC Los Angeles

August 10th, 2006, 08:24 PM	#1
David Ziegelheim Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Warren, NJ Posts: 398	What is the difference between a Tiffen UltraContrast and Lowlight UltraContrast? The lowlight works in lower light, but when would you use it? Does it handle bright areas differently (say sunny windows behind a dark room)? When does a regular Ultra Contrast not handle low light? Are their any adverse effects? Are there any examples online? How do the different grades work? Lots of questions!!! Thanks, David P.S. Should there be a separate filter forum?

August 10th, 2006, 09:15 PM	#2
David Mullen American Society of Cinematographers Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 123	The UltraCon filter reacts to the amount of soft ambient light hitting the glass, so you have to watch over-shading the mattebox. Conversely, because of this very design, you also have to avoid direct light striking the filter because then it washes out the image. The heaviest filter is a #5, which is pretty strong (hazy) in day exterior shooting. Most people opt for a #2 or so. However, at night where there is a minimal amount of ambient light hitting the lens, even a #5 can look like it's not doing anything, so they made the Low-Light UltraCon, which is basically just much heavier than a #5. It would look horribly milky in a day exterior shoot. __________________ David Mullen, ASC Los Angeles

August 10th, 2006, 10:27 PM	#3
David Ziegelheim Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Warren, NJ Posts: 398	#2…that strong? Not 1/4 or 1/2? Why would you use an Ultra Contrast at night? To balance street lights with shadows? Are the lowlight Ultra Contrast then just like a #6 to #10? On the HDTV/FX, a #2 would also mean a #2 Digital Diffusion/FX. Isn't that strong for a Digital Diffusion/FX? Thanks, David

August 13th, 2006, 08:40 PM	#5
David Ziegelheim Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Warren, NJ Posts: 398	Ordered the #2 Ultra Contrast.