TIFFEN 72SFX3 72mm Soft/FX 3 Glass Photographic Filter

by Tiffen

Product Details

• Item Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00009UTO6
• Item model number: 72SFX3
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 16, 2004

Product Description

Size: 72mm

The Tiffen The Soft/FX series is a unique diffusion filter that is specifically designed to give the most pleasing of portraits. This filter has a pattern of tiny lenslets designed specifically to put fine image elements, like wrinkles and skin blemishes, out of focus while leaving larger details such as the eyes, sharp. Lighter densities are very subtle, producing virtually no flare from highlights or reduction in contrast. The higher densities work harder to minimize facial imperfections and provide a more pleasing portrait. This filter is available in differing strengths, the higher the number, the more dramatic effect. Tiffen filters are manufactured using ColorCore technology, a closely guarded proprietary process that entails permanently laminating the filter material in between two pieces of optical glass that are ground flat to tolerances of a ten-thousandth of an inch, then mounting them in precision metal rings. The ColorCore process allows total control over the color and density of Tiffen filters, and the characteristics of special effects filters with much greater accuracy than typical dyed-in-the-mass filters.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best portrait filter you can buy..., August 5, 2011

By 

Michael - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tiffen Hollywood/FX Soft/FX 3 - Filter - diffuser - 58mm (Electronics)

Most importantly...

This is a specialized filter for portraits, and a great filter for interviews when you are shooting video with a DSLR. This is NOT the filter to choose when shooting outdoors in landscape settings, or when shooting clients against props like trees and cars.

Trust me, this filter is incredible when used for what it was designed to be used for.

With portraits this filter hides blemishes and gives a soft smoothing effect to a client's skin, while retaining sharpness and balance. With video, it enhances depth of field in addition to the above, and is a great tool when shooting with Interview style lighting.

In the hands of a semi-professional or a professional, this is an invaluable tool to enhance your work. I love how they come in different grades from 1-5, so you can adjust the amount of effect. In addition, you can purchase them with a skin warming effect built in, and really enhance the look of your clients.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Both surreal and flattering, October 17, 2004

By 

Glynn Clapsaddle "[e-mail]" (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tiffen 37SFX3 37mm Soft/FX 3 Filter (Electronics)

This filter is great for filming dream sequences or a scene designed to be surreal. It gives the soft effect, much like the Heaven scenes in Heaven Can Wait. It can also add a real fluffy texture to cloud images.
It DID come with an unexpected bonus. For facial close-ups, it does an amazing job of blurring out wrinkles and creating a very flattering picture of the subject. Obviously, this is not the type of filter for everyone, it does have somewhat specialized applications. I have found that Tiffen is very strong in the quality to price ratio, and this filter is no exception.

5.0 out of 5 stars As Advertised, November 11, 2011

By 

Cml90 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tiffen 52SFX3 52mm Soft/FX 3 Filter (Electronics)

The filter turned out shots pretty similar to the "after" picture. It won't eliminate blemishes completely, but the soft effect is a nice touch to any photo. Great especially if you don't want to photoshop every portait shot you take.

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