The Tiffen 55mm Soft/FX 2 Filter for Photographycan be applied to purposely reduce 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.

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    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
• 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. Will this lens work on the BMPCC6K? Do I need a Speedbooster?

A: Yes, the ZEISS Otus 1.4/55 ZE will work with the BMPCC6K camera. Given the APS-C format, the effective focal length of the lens is equivalent to approximately 82mm.

Q: 3. I understand that the focusing screen of D810 cannot be changed. Without a central telemeter, how can one check proper focusing?

A: If you are concerned with focus on the D810, you could use the Nikon DG-2 Eyepiece, which will magnify the viewfinder by 2x: http://bhpho.to/10diQr9

Q: 4. If I made an order today, is there an estimated time to receive it? Thanks.

A: If you were to order this lens today a realistic time to receive it would be 6-8 weeks.

Q: 5. How un-sealed against weather is the Otus? I have a Milvus 15/2.8, and now an Otus 28/1.4. The 50 or 55 is next, which I plan to use for landscape and astro-pano with my 810A. I don't plan to be in rainstorms or sandstorms, but the lack of weather-sealing has me a bit concerned, given its expense what was Zeiss thinking?, and the fact that I will be taking pics in marine shore and humid environments.

A: The ZEISS Otus lenses are not weather sealed. As long as the lens is not exposed directly to rain or dusty environments, there is little risk of damage. When used in high humidity conditions, care should be taken to acclimate the lens to prevent internal fogging of the elements. Storage of the lens under these conditions should be done in sealed bags using a desiccant.

Q: 6. Is this Lens made in Germany?

A: The country of origin information is not yet posted in our system. Once the lens arrives into inventory, that type of information will become available. I am very confident however that the lens is manufactured in Germany. Once the lens arrives into stock, feel free to ask us again and we will be able to confirm then. - Yossi

Q: 7. 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: 8. 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: 9. Canon focus screens

A: There are no interchangeable focus screens for the 5dmkiii. There is a focus confirmation beep with the center af point. If you have a eos1-n, 1-v, eos 3, or even a 5d up to mkii, they all accept the same screens. There is a split image/ microprism Fresnel (Ec-B) that would be helpful for those cameras; it is sold by B&H, but it is on backorder now. With 5dmkii just use af confirmation, or shoot in Live View and magnify to confirm focus. The microprism fresnel's are all in the Center anyway so it's the same deal. Wide open handheld with a figity subject is a tough. This lens is a powerful tool, but it does take a certain dedication to work with it. The results are worth the effort. Good luck!

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.