The Tiffen 55mm Warm Soft FX 2 Filtercan be applied to create a warm cast over an entire image while purposely reducing the appearance of blemishes and wrinkles in portraits, or to apply a general soft-focus effect while maintaining overall sharpness. An array of small lenses distributed within the surface of this filter smooths fine lines and textures, which can be useful for creating a more flattering result of a subject.

The warming effect of this filter can be obtained under daylight when this filter is used on a film camera system with daylight film installed, or on a digital camera system with its daylight white balance setting selected. This filter's overall coloration reflects a mired shift value of +45.

This filter has a grade of 2. Grades of 1/2, 1, 3, 4, and 5 are also available where this filter type's effect becomes approximately twice as strong with each grade number increase. When higher grade numbers are applied, a halation effect around highlights can be created to further enhance a subject's appearance or produce a desired effect.

This filter is constructed from optical glass for clarity as well as color fidelity. It is made using ColorCore technology, a process that involves laminating the filter substrate between two pieces of optical glass and grinding flat to a tolerance of 1/10,000th of an inch, and then mounting to precision metal rings.

Soft-Focus Effect, Adds Warmth to Image    +45 Mired Shift Value    1.25x Filter Factor, +0.3 Stops    Reduces Subject Blemishes and Wrinkles    Maintains Overall Sharpness    Optical Glass Construction    ColorCore Technology    55mm Front Filter Threads    Plastic Case

• General soft-focus effect while maintaining overall sharpness
• Reduces the appearance of blemishes and wrinkles
• Provides a smoother appearance of fine lines and textures
• Can add a warm cast over an entire image when used on a film camera system with daylight film installed, or on a digital camera system with its daylight white balance setting selected
• 1.25x filter factor reduces exposure by 0.3 stops
• Constructed from optical glass for clarity and color fidelity
• 55mm front filter threads allow for use with other filters
• Plastic case included for storage and transport

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Hello,I am concerned about how a person determines if a subject is in focus or not. Will my focusing green dot on my Nikon D610 work with this lens? Do I have to look at the image and determine focus by the picture quality. I have tried magnifying eyepieces and my eyesight will not allow me to use them.Thanks in advance.Bill

A: When the lens is stopped down the dot indicating that focus is achieved works fine. When working at a shallow depth of field, live view or a zacuto z pro finder helps with focus. If using live view a helpful hint I found on the internet is to program the center button of the multiselector (option f2 in the custom settings on a D-810 so that live view will immediately go to zoom mode when this button is pushed when you're in live view. This button can also be programed to zoom during playback to quickly check focus. You can program it for 50%, 100%, or200% magnification and it zooms centered on the site of your focus point. On a sunny day a hoodman is very useful. It's much smaller than a zacuto and can be quickly placed over the review screen to check exposure or focus in the sun when you can't see the liveview screen well. If relieing on the in camera focus dot for focusing with a narrow depth of field, there is quite a distance that the lens focus ring can be moved and yet still indicate that the camera thinks you are in focus. I did some test shots and I found that sometimes even though I thought I turned the focus ring until it was about in the center of where focus was indicated when coming into and out of focus as the ring was turned, the picture sometimes was still slightly out of focus. I found that if I started focusing in front of my desired site and turned the focus ring until the camera just indicated in focus I often achieved good focus, but when I began focusing behind the subject and turned the focus ring until the camera indicated in focus then the image was always fuzzy. This also happens with my other camera, a D700.

Q: 2. Besides focal length, weight, and price, what are the other differences between the Zeis Otus 55 and the Zeis Milvus 50? Specifically, what are the optical considerations? And are there any issues with adapting to Sony NEX cameras like the FS700 and F7?

A: Look at the 14 minute video attached/linked in the overview section. The Zeiss Rep' explains the difference between Zeiss' Milvus and Otus lenses. He explains the optical design for the Otus in plain, simple terms.

Q: 3. What adapter would I use for this lens on my SONY NEX FS 700?Would a sony LA-EA2 mount work?

A: The Sony NEX-FS700R Super 35 Camcorder body uses Sony's E-mount that gives you the flexibility to use a wide variety of E-mount NEX or Sony A-mount Alpha} lens via the optional LA-EA1/ LAEA3 mount adapters. You can also use 35mm SLR and DSLR lenses or professional cinema lenses with the use of optional third party adapters. The Nikon F Mount 55mm f/1.4 Otus Distagon T Lens from Zeiss would require a Nikon to E mount adapter and would not be compatible with the Sony LA-EA1 or LA-EA3 adapters. The MTF Services Ltd Nikon G to Sony E Mount Adapter allows you to attach any Nikon-mounted lens to the Sony NEX-3, NEX-5, NEX-VG10, NEX-VG20, and the Sony NEX FS-100/700 cameras. It is compatible with DX and 35mm format lenses and also supports lenses with or without aperture rings. http://bhpho.to/1pe97dmThe Sony 50mm f/1.4 Carl Zeiss Planar T* ZA Lens is a normal-length prime lens that is compatible with both full-frame and APS-C-sized image sensors. This lens' construction integrates two glass-molded aspherical elements within its design to provide high image quality while reducing distortions and aberrations. This lens is compatible with a LA-EA1 adapter. http://bhpho.to/1nNMc7p

Q: 4. Whats the difference between linear and circular polarizers? Im using a matte box with a rotatable 4x4 filter tray. Thanks.

A: Both a linear polarizer and circular polarizer will give you similar results although a circular polarizer should be used on cameras with beam splitting metering systems commonly found on auto focus SLR's/DSLR's.

Q: 5. What extension tubes can be successfully used for this lens? Canon's do not work

A: ZEISS Otus 55mm f/1.4 ZE Lens for Canon EF is compatible with Canon Extension Tube EF 25 II https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/300603-REG/Canon_9199A001_Extension_Tube_EF_25.html

Q: 6. What range of sizes can this filter fit?

A: This is a 77mm filter. It will fit any lens with a 77mm filter thread on the front of the lens. Tiffen does make this and many other filters in other sizes as well. Just do a search at B&G for Tiffen Filter . You'll see many types of filters in many sizes. I srongly recommend Tiffen filters -- the price is reasonable, yet the quality is very high.

Q: 7. How does the image through this filter compare with using the Black (not warm) Pro-Mist?

A: The Tiffen Warm Pro Mist is defined by utilizing the diffusion effect with an 812 warming filter for providing a general warmth to the image and for improving skin tones. This warming effect also helps to reduce blue sensitivity and for cutting through overly cool tones within the scene. The Black Pro Mist filter . Its unique layering of contrast combined with a gauzy paint like halation, function as a twist on the stand of the pro halation spill effect. Even at its lowest density, it delivers an effective and increase in the halation which adds a pleasing depth of warmth, but is not transported to the skin tone values.

Q: 8. Why isn't it available in 46mm filter size? That's the size most of my Micro Four Thirds lenses are.

A: Charles... this filter is available, but B&H does not list it on their website as it is considered Special Order . Please call B&H directly and tell them you would like to request they special order item # 46WPOL from Tiffen. I currently show a few of these in stock and they can be dropped shipped directly from Tiffen to you when ordered through B&H.

Q: 9. Is this lens made in Germany?

A: The ZEISS Otus 55mm f/1.4 ZF.2 Lens for Nikon F is manufactured in Japan.

Q: 10. Can anyone share their experience using the Zeiss Otus 55mm with a Canon 5DSR?

A: Yes. Works fine. Top end camera, top end lens, top end result. Use tripod, cable release etc. Any more specific question? In case you wonder, Focusingscreen dot com now has the S-type screen available for the 5Ds. Just received the first prototype of the new screen.