Pro Mist 1/8 Filter

G

GuyS

Active member
I have been using a Pro Mist 1/8 filter and am quite happy with the edge softening results it produces. It has quite a subtle effect so I have left the filter on my camera for all shots. However, there are two problematic situations that I have noticed when using the filter.

1. When shooting wide angle, a predominant background of "magic hour" consistent blue sky results in the image again having this "dirty lens" look. If I zoom out the "dirty lens" look fades away proportionately.

2. When shooting outdoors at bit of an angle to the sun, again results in a "dirty lens" look. You can see tiny specks all over the image.

Perhaps this is something I need to live with when the filter is on but I was wondering if others may have comment or suggestions of a work around.
 
Just a quick further note. I understand that an infinite DOF is problematic for these types of filters. In the situations where there are copius amounts of light (and therefore the camera has a small aperature) perhaps these filters shouldn't be used?
 
Um...I hate to sound like a total jackass, but is it possible that the filter is just dirty? I mean, that's exactly what it sounds like. For problem #1, it would be caused by the fact that the low magic hour sun is backlighting the specks on the filter, causing them to show up as shadows on the image. Then, when you zoom in, you are using a much smaller portion of the filter, therefore there are fewer or even no specks of dust in the camera's angle of view. The second problem is actually just the same phenomenon manifested differently. Maybe I'm thinking far to simplistically, and if so, I apologize. Hope it helps though.
Peace,

-Harry
 
Promist filters ARE specs of dust in a piece of glass, so this makes perfect sense.

Buy some ND filters, I guess.
 
As Policar said, all Promist filters produce that effect by their very nature. You need to make the DOF shorter and/or throw it out further from the lens with ND or a less wide angle. You also need to do what you can to prevent direct light from hitting the filter.
 
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