This Firecrest Colby Brown 100mm Signature Edition Premier Landscape Filter Kit from Formatt Hitech contains three filters that can be used individually or in various combinations to improve the results of your landscape photography by preventing overexposure, as well as a circular polarizer to prevent distracting reflections or glare. The included filters consist of an 82mm Firecrest circular polarizer, a 100 x 100mm Firecrest six-stop solid neutral density filter, as well as a 100 x 150mm Firecrest two-stop graduated neutral density filter. Also included is an optical resin, 100 x 150mm two-stop reverse-graduated neutral density filter that can be applied to darken bright skies, specifically during a sunrise or sunset, while allowing for a normal, unaffected exposure in the other regions of the image. The two-stop graduated neutral density filter features a soft-edged line of transition between its dense and clear areas, while the two-stop reverse-graduated neutral density filter achieves its effect with a band across its center region that provides a 2-stop reduction in light from entering a lens. This band extends in both vertical directions before tapering to clear below and lighter above, with a hard-edged line of transition before the clear area. Together, these neutral density filters provide a versatile solution for various lighting conditions and horizon lines.
To allow these neutral density filters to be placed in front of a lens, this kit contains a 100mm Firecrest Filter Holder that is designed to allow for the convenient use of up to two, 100mm-wide, 2mm-thick filters along with the included circular polarizer. This holder has its sides encased within a cover that helps to eliminate stray light, which could have unwanted effects on exposure, from coming in between any installed filters, as well as the filter holder and the lens behind it.
Use of the filter holder can be easily accomplished by first screwing an included 82mm adapter ring onto a lens with 82mm front filter threads. Step-up rings are also included to allow the adapter ring to be used with lenses that have 67mm, 72mm, or 77mm front filter threads; while additional step-up rings are separately available for lenses with 46mm, 52mm, 58mm, or 62mm front filter threads. After being fitted onto the adapter ring, the filter holder's pull-and-release locking lever helps to provide a reliable, yet adjustable connection that allows the holder to be rotated 360°, further benefiting the use of graduated neutral density and other filters that are enhanced by varied positioning.
An exclusive Colby Brown booklet is also part of this kit, offering inspiration and insight into his landscape photography.
Formatt Hitech Firecrest neutral density filters are constructed from Schott Superwhite glass for increased optical clarity and color fidelity. They are optimized for use with digital sensors and promote nearly flat attenuation of visible, UV, and infrared light. Due to imaging sensors' greater susceptibility to infrared light, compared to traditional film, color casts can occur when photographing darker subjects that require increased exposure times. This filter provides a high level of neutrality across all three spectrums in order to eliminate color casts and ensure cleaner, truer blacks.
To prevent internal ghosting and reflections, the glass surfaces of each included Firecrest neutral density filter features 15 layers of anti-reflection coating. These coatings also offer greater protection to the filter and help it to stay clean for longer than with uncoated filters, resulting in an improved beading effect when in contact with water for greater cleaning efficiency. The neutral density substrate of a Firecrest neutral density filter is also sandwiched between two layers of glass, enhancing durability and reparability of accidental scratches.
The Formatt Hitech 100mm Firecrest Filter Holder Kit is designed to allow for the convenient use of up to two, separately-available 100mm-wide, 2mm-thick filters along with an included circular polarizer. This kit comes fully assembled and features a holder which has its sides encased within a cover that helps to eliminate stray light, which could have unwanted effects on exposure, from coming in between any installed filters, as well as the filter holder and the lens behind it.
The included aluminum-alloy filter holder is pre-installed with two pairs of plastic filter slots, a configuration that accommodates two rectangular filters. These slots are attached to the filter holder by a total of four screws, which also serve to apply pressure on any filters placed between the slots. Those screws can be loosened or tightened using the included Allen wrench to vary the level of grip upon the inserted filters, which can complement the use of graduated filters whose effect can be adjusted to better suit changing lighting conditions or creative demands by sliding them up or down within a filter slot.
The filter holder cover is constructed from a matte black, scratch-resistant plastic that can be pulled in half to allow access to the filter holder. Compatible 100 x 100mm filters can fit entirely within the cover when they are installed on the holder. To permit the use of rectangular graduated filters that are 100mm-wide, but may be longer than 100mm, the ends of each half of the filter holder cover features two caps that can be substituted for two included slotted caps. Those slotted caps allow rectangular graduated filters to be used with minimal stray light even as they extend beyond the dimensions of the cover while it is assembled.
A built-in gasket placed along the front of the filter holder further ensures that stray light does not come between an installed rectangular filter and a connected lens, regardless of which filter holder cover end caps are in place. Use of the filter holder can be easily accomplished by first screwing the included 82mm filter holder adapter ring onto a lens with 82mm front filter threads. Step-up rings are included to allow the adapter ring to be used with lenses that have 67mm, 72mm, or 77mm front filter threads; while additional step-up rings are separately available for lenses with 46mm, 52mm, 58mm, or 62mm front filter threads. After being fitted onto the adapter ring, the filter holder's pull-and-release locking lever helps to provide a reliable, yet adjustable connection that allows the holder to be rotated 360°, further benefiting the use of graduated neutral density and other filters that are enhanced by varied positioning.
The 82mm adapter ring also accommodates the included Formatt Hitech 82mm Firecrest UltraSlim Circular Polarizer Filter for 100mm Firecrest Filter Holder Kit. When combined with the adapter ring and installed onto a lens with 82mm front filter threads or adapted to lenses with other front filter thread diameters, the polarizer filter can be rotated to adjust its effect. The combination of the circular polarizer and the adapter ring, plus an optional step-up ring, can also be used with the filter holder with or without its cover installed. In such instances, an external dial on the filter holder allows for the independent rotation of the circular polarizer.
Alternatively, separately-available filter holder adapter rings accommodate the circular polarizer as well. They provide the ability to mount the filter holder onto a lens with 72mm or 77mm front filter threads without the need for the 82mm adapter ring and an additional step-up ring. When the filter holder is used on a wide-angle lens with 72mm or 77mm front filter threads, those adapter rings can help prevent vignetting.
- Durable aluminum-alloy filter holder with matte black, scratch-resistant plastic cover that can be pulled in half to allow access to the filter holder
- Cover helps to eliminate stray light from coming in between any installed filters, as well as the filter holder and the lens behind it
- Filter holder provides two pairs of filter slots, a configuration that accommodates up to two 2mm-thick rectangular filters
- Compatible 100 x 100mm filters can fit entirely within the cover when they are installed on the holder
- Ends of each half of the filter holder cover features two caps that can be substituted for two included slotted caps to permit the use of rectangular graduated filters that are 100mm-wide, but may be longer than 100mm
- Use of the filter holder can be easily accomplished by first screwing included 82mm filter holder adapter ring onto a lens with 82mm front filter threads
- Included step-up rings allow adapter ring to be used with lenses that have 67mm, 72mm, or 77mm front filter threads
- Additional step-up rings are separately available for lenses with 46mm, 52mm, 58mm, or 62mm front filter threads
- Pull-and-release locking lever on filter holder allows for adjustment of filter holder's grip for 360° rotation on adapter ring
- Ability to vary grip on installed rectangular filters to complement the use of graduated filters whose effect can be adjusted to better suit changing lighting conditions or creative demands by sliding them up or down within a filter slot
- Adapter ring accommodates included Formatt Hitech 82mm Firecrest UltraSlim Circular Polarizer Filter for 100mm Firecrest Filter Holder Kit and allows it to rotate for adjustment of its effect
- Polarizer filter and adapter ring can be used on a lens with 82mm front filter threads, or adapted to lenses with other front filter thread diameters using included or separately-available step-up rings
- Circular polarizer and the adapter ring, plus an included or separately-available step-up ring, can also be used with the filter holder with or without its cover installed
- External dial on filter holder allows for the rotation of the polarizer filter when it is used with the adapter and filter holder
- Alternatively, separately-available filter holder adapter rings also accommodate the circular polarizer and provide the ability to mount the filter holder onto a lens with 72mm or 77mm front filter threads without the need for the 82mm adapter ring and an additional step-up ring; helping to prevent vignetting when the filter holder is used on wide-angle lenses with 72mm or 77mm front filter threads
- Nylon pouch with touch-tab closure features six compartments for organization, storage, and transport
This 100 x 100mm Formatt Hitech Firecrest ND Filter is a solid neutral density filter providing a 6-stop reduction in exposure. This 1.8 density creates a darkening of the entire image, allowing you to photograph with a wider aperture or longer shutter speed than normally required. By slowing your exposure time or increasing your aperture, you are able to control depth of field and convey movement more easily.
The design of this filter has been optimized for use with digital sensors and promote nearly flat attenuation of visible, UV, and infrared light. Due to imaging sensors' greater susceptibility to infrared light, compared to traditional film, color casts can occur when photographing darker subjects that require increased exposure times. This filter provides a high level of neutrality across all three spectrums in order to eliminate color casts and ensure cleaner, truer blacks.
Applied to the outside of the SCHOTT Superwite glass construction is a 15-layer Firecrest multicoating, which helps to minimize reflections and flare in order maintain truer colors and contrast. The multicoating is also scratch resistant and hydrophobic to benefit the overall durability of the filter. It measures 3.9 x 3.9" / 100 x 100mm and is 0.08" / 2mm-thick, making it compatible with the Formatt Hitech 100mm Filter Holder.
This filter is designed specifically for photography applications. This filter is not suitable for direct solar viewing with the naked eye, including with optical viewfinders.
Tis 100 x 150 Formatt-Hitech Firecrest Soft-Edge Graduated ND Filter helps to darken specific areas of an image, such as bright skies, while allowing for a normal, unaffected exposure in the other regions of the image. The filter is densest at the edge and tapers to clear by the middle, with a soft-edge line of transition between the density and clear areas. Neutral density filters do not affect the coloration of the image and the 0.6 density provides a 2-stop reduction in light from entering the lens.
The design of this filter has been optimized for use with digital sensors and promote nearly flat attenuation of visible, UV, and infrared light. Due to imaging sensors' greater susceptibility to infrared light, compared to traditional film, color casts can occur when photographing darker subjects that require increased exposure times. This filter provides a high level of neutrality across all three spectrums in order to eliminate color casts and ensure cleaner, truer blacks.
Applied to the outside of the Schott Superwite glass construction is a 15-layer Firecrest multi-coating, which helps to minimize reflections and flare in order maintain truer colors and contrast. The multi-coating is also scratch-resistant and hydrophobic to benefit the overall durability of the filter. This filter measures 3.9 x 5.9" / 100 x 150mm and is 0.08" / 2mm-thick, making it compatible with the Formatt-Hitech 100mm Filter Holder. Its vertical orientation indicates that the density's line of transition runs parallel to the short side of the filter.
The 4 x 6" Reverse Neutral Density Graduated 0.6 Filter from Hitech is the way to go when you want to shoot a bright horizon line but want to maintain accurate color balance between the horizon and foreground. Traditional graduated neutral density filters transition from dark to light towards the bottom of the filter. However, by providing a reverse effect, the Hitech Reverse Grad allows you to capture the brilliance of the sunrise or sunset while maintaining a controlled and pleasing exposure in your foreground. The filter is clear in the lower half but, as mentioned, graduates from dark to light towards the top. This holds your foreground while "toning down" the horizon line and upper half of the image.
For the nature or landscape shooter, this is an ideal filter that can save what might ordinarily be an impossible shot to capture on film or digital. On traditional film, it can compensate for the limited film latitude you may be dealing with (the number of stops that can be accurately recorded).
Hitech filters are made from high-quality CR39 resin. The secret to Formatt's consistency in filter design lies in its unique "Absorbing Cell Technology" (A.C.T.); this unique process allows color correct dyes to be applied to optically pure, wafer thin absorbing cells and offers a controllability that ensures the smoothest grad lines and consistent color across the whole filter surface.
This filter is only available in a soft edge style. The transition will be gradual, subtle and even from horizon to the top of the filter.
