Hauppauge, N.Y. –– Tiffen introduced Wednesday its XLE series of IR filters for still and video cameras, designed to color-correct images captured during long, extreme exposure shooting.
Tiffen XLE filters are offered in three versions — Apex, Advantix and Axent — each with a different level of IR filtration for varying effects.
All XLE filters are available starting today in focal lengths from 40.5mm to 82mm, and are priced depending on range.
The Apex filter carries suggested retails from $170 to $366; the Advantix runs from $70 to $266; and the Axent runs from $37.99 to $98.99.
The Apex is said to offer “premier IR absorption” for long exposure work for stills or video. It is outfitted with a standard near IR blocker and a Tiffen hot mirror, eliminating all IR pollution during long exposure shots.
Using the Apex removes the risk of IR distorting image color, which is a common issue in long exposures, while allowing for extreme long exposure shots that often blur movement in the scene.
The filter will be available for all DSLR, APS-C and Micro 4:3 sensors, regardless of lens coating or sensor design.
The Advantix offers basic IR absorption, removing polluting wavelengths with an active IR absorbing element. The filter is said to produce an intense, imaging effect with a slight greenish color cast that can be adjusted in the camera’s manual settings.
The filter is designed for use on DSLR cameras in both black-and-white and color modes, plus APS-C sensors in the same modes when used in combination with lenses approved for IR photography.
Like the Apex, the Advantix allows for blurring of image movement.
The Axent offers no IR absorption to positively promote IR wavelengths, allowing for different results depending on the camera sensor used.
Tiffen said the Axent is ideal for full-frame DSLR cameras primarily in black-and-white mode, and can be used on Fuji’s X-Trans APS-C cameras, among other camera models, to obtain a highly stylized IR color effect when combined with lenses approved for IR photography.
When used on standard Bayer sensors on Color mode, the filter is said to produce a warm hue over the image, with varying intensity levels depending on prevailing lighting conditions.
The Axent produces movement blurring in the image.
All three filters are designed for use in manual set-up mode, where creative choice of aperture, shutter setting and ISO come into play, Tiffen said.
