MID GLAMORGAN, UK – Formatt Filters (www.formatt.co.uk) showed a new range of filters at NAB that are specifically designed for today’s HD cameras and lenses. The range of glass lens filters initially includes HD Soft, HD Neutral Density, HD Clear UV, HD Soft Gold and Supersoft Gold, plus HD linear and circular polarizers. The filters are manufactured to Formatt Filters’ highest optical standards to ensure color consistency when being in using HD production.
Formatt has also tested its standard filter range to designate filters which - while not designed specifically for HD - meet all of the performance criteria for HD acquisition. This has resulted in a range of filters that may be used with all types of HD cameras.
“We recognized several years ago the need for HD filters, and have worked closely with DPs in testing the new range over an extended period,” explains Formatt Filters’ commercial and operations director Paul Stephens.
The HD Soft Filter is designed to soften the harsh outlines that can result in HD work, but with minimal loss of detail and contrast. The HD Neutral Density filters help compensate for HD cameras’ need for a more optically pure grey neutral density filter to avoid some of the coloration issues that are inherent in their use, particularly at low light levels. The filters are available in standard and graduated versions, and provide this with no color shift of the type, which can be found in some standard ND filters.
The HD Clear UV filter is an optically clear filter that absorbs potentially damaging UV light below 410Nm. The HD Soft Gold Enhancer and HD Supersoft Gold Enhancer both use refraction to obtain specific effects, avoiding the color split associated with diffusion type filters.
Formatt’s HD circular and linear polarizers use the highest quality H-sheet polarizing material embedded in an optically clear UV absorbent matrix. The careful matching of materials and high standard of finish produce high performance polarizers, which ensure high-quality results when shooting HD.