Stockings as diffusion filters?

D

dmitrizigany

Veteran
Hey!

Planning a shoot where I'm thinking of using stockings as diffusion filters.
Any pros and cons of having them in front of lens vs between lens and sensor?
How about colour? Lighter vs darker stockings?

Also, is it worth stepping up to something like Agent Provocateur vs cheap H&M ones? ;)
 
David W. Jones said:
Here's what I use.
FWIW mounting behind the lens really depends on the lens.
Click to expand...
Christian Dior. Classy.

I'm gonna use them with manual lenses mostly (Samyang cine). I guess using them on the front of the lens is less risk of accidentally damaging the sensor and so. But would the look change a lot depending on the focal length if they are used in front of the lens?
 
I did a test with some stockings awhile back on some lomo lenses: https://vimeo.com/57037575. I dunno what brand the stockings were, but they were likely cheap ones from the drugstore.

I didn't have snot tape, so I just used gaff instead which made it a bit hard to keep the stockings stretched tightly.

BTW I would use the stockings on the rear of the lens, not the front.
 
On the front of the lens the net is much more apparent. You should not have to worry about damaging the sensor from the stockings...just make sure they aren't shedding any bit, and feel free to blow out the sensor with a hand blower.
 
The best answer is that you should do some testing yourself, and see what you like. In my experience, netting (or indeed any diffusion) is milder when it is between the lens and the sensor, and stronger when in front of the lens.

EDITED TO ADD:

Also, you have to watch out for at which focal length, f-stop and actual focus position the netting will become apparent as a pattern over the image. The wider the focal range, the more closed the aperture, and the closer you're focused, the more likely you'll start to see the pattern of the netting. Generally speaking, keeping the lens at or below f/5.6 will serve you well in most cases. In my testing, the pattern is more easily seen when rear-netting than with front netting. But again, you should test this out yourself.

A cheaper alternative to the Dior stockings are Haynes's Absolutely Ultra Sheer. The "jet black" color is good starting point , though you really can use any fabric and color. I believe the darker the fabric, the less lowering of contrast will occur.

Test test test :)
 
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Many years ago I bought a pair of Fogal Noblesse; pre-internet shopping I think, so I had to walk into their Beverly Hills store. When I asked for them the salesperson asked me if I was a cinematographer! Guess they can recognize them a mile off. They weren't cheap but that one pair lasted for a great many lenses. I wouldn't be surprised if I still had a scrap of them left in the bottom of a bag somewhere.
 
David W. Richardson said:
Do you mean f/5.6 or WIDER?
Click to expand...

Pretty sure you understood me: any f number below 5.6, as in f/1.0 to f/5.6 (f/0.7 to f/5.6 if you're Stanley Kubrick).

Referring to aperture can be confusing. Close down and open up makes sense.

Seems like you're asking for mix-ups by referring to something as "wider" on a lens when you aren't talking about focal length. It's like people who refuse to say "noon" or "midnight" and insist on saying "12PM" and "12AM." You're just asking for stupid people like me to get it wrong.
 
drummondb said:
The best answer is that you should do some testing yourself, and see what you like.
A cheaper alternative to the Dior stockings are Haynes's Absolutely Ultra Sheer. The "jet black" color is good starting point , though you really can use any fabric and color. I believe the darker the fabric, the less lowering of contrast will occur.
Click to expand...
Will of course test, but always good to be aware of some gotchas etc before doing that!
great info regarding colour, thanks!
 
CharlesPapert said:
Many years ago I bought a pair of Fogal Noblesse; pre-internet shopping I think, so I had to walk into their Beverly Hills store. When I asked for them the salesperson asked me if I was a cinematographer! Guess they can recognize them a mile off. They weren't cheap but that one pair lasted for a great many lenses. I wouldn't be surprised if I still had a scrap of them left in the bottom of a bag somewhere.
Click to expand...
Haha!
I'm working (and am friends) with quite a lot of burlesque girls, thinking of asking them to give me their old ripped ones. But that could make me sound like a perv ;)
 
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