12 Weird Lens Filters Put to the Test

[@aerialfilm1]

Maybe I’m romanticizing this, but there seems to be something magical about getting these effects optically in camera and not digitally in post.

[@borisgalos6967]

The various diopter filters are really meant to provide a second plane of focus such as having infinity in focus on the top and a close object in focus on the bottom

[@mikemcglasson1286]

Yeah, that makes more sense, but for some reason, split diopters have been advertised for a more gimmicky use lately

[@jmalmsten]

What are these other gimmicky uses? I seem to have been living under a rock as I haven't seen those adverts that you are referring to. I would be interested in getting a set of split diopters for my own work to make shots like ye olde Robert Wise and Brian de Palma... but they have been very hard to find. So much in fact that I have contemplated getting a set of regular diopter filters and cut the glass lenses in half with my dremel.

[@chrisalexander2478]

I was fixing to say the same thing. Misuse of split diopters.

[@swanseamale47]

Better done in photoshop now. Or focus stack.

[@triggerfingerstudios]

I really like that dream mist filter, because it's very subtle. The Aura lens was also groovy because the image wasn't broken or fractured, but added a ton of personality and verve. I'm sure it would give you a headache if the camera were moving around a lot though.

[@johnd9357]

If you like it, do yourself a favor and get a tiffen promist black 1/4.

[@VICKERY-]

gRoOvY

[@spellxthief]

a lot of people like the tiffen black promist but i really love the tiffen glimmerglass! it has the light halation with less dropped contrast/ the foggy look

[@316zaul]

@@johnd9357 would say that it’s better than dream fx?

[@ndc5544p]

@@316zaul much better IMO

[@willvisions]

Great video, straight to business, no fat. KZbin needs more videos like this.

[@Snaily]

So many of these look like something that would be used for a music video in the late 80's, or in Labyrinth, and I need them all.

[@nubscrub]

Wow, I've never been into the strongest levels of pro mist filters, but that Griffon mist looked different to me, very cool

[@johnd9357]

Yeah it actually looked like fog. Like natural fog.

[@rogerb5615]

From mild to wild - many thanks, Mathieu, for sampling these. You've made our purchase selections easy and foolproof.

[@MathieuStern]

Great to hear!

[@Pixelwave90]

The Griffon Fog filter is best suitable on foggy and winter nights while snowing in cities. I like the Dream Mist filter too

[@DJTI99]

I love split diopters for super deep focus. I'm such a huge fan of that 70s cinema look from films like Carrie, Blowout, and The Andromeda Strain.

[@fetus2280]

A lot of these filters are how I see the world through my broken eyes . I can see a few being alright in certain circumstances, idk maybe its because its i dont get to see things properly that i prefer clear as possible . Interesting to see and thank you for sharing . Cheers mate.

[@johnd9357]

What condition do you have that makes you see like this?

[@pennymercer5793]

My astigmatism turns everything in my view to intense bokeh, flares, floaters, halos, and prisms lol....

[@thedos2922]

@@johnd9357 astigmatism?

[@INKBOMB]

You know I was thinking the same exact thing. Astigmatism leaves some wonderful light trails right?

[@DucatiKozak]

Great video! Thanks for listing a good number of filters here. Also let people be aware a split diopter is also used to bring 2 areas into focus during a wide open shot with what is otherwise one shallow depth of feild area. The demonstration didn't provide that opportunity. Keep up the great vlogs!

[@Ladymusicc]

Love the starburst ones. Could really see that being used to add a nostalgic 80s vibe to a photoshoot.

[@kilometer750]

Great filters! Some of them gave me a headache 😂.

[@chriscouncilplays6885]

This was very informative 👌🏾,I suggest trying to experiment with stack pairs together that would be fun

[@MathieuStern]

Noted!

[@gabrielvergani2408]

I would like to see star burst + dream mist =)

[@chinthakapitigalaarachchi1380]

The most underrated photography channel.

[@karim2k]

Mathieu fait de trucs uniques qu'aucun autre photographe ne prend la peine d'expérimenter, 👏 !

[@MrAlgloom]

Hey Mathiou. Love your videos. I don't know about the others but prism fx filters aren't created by them. They are drop shipping them through aliexpress or some other Chinese source. These are generic Chinese filters with a prism fx logo slapped on. So if anyone wants to save some money, buy directly from Aliexpress or support companies who don't mislead their clients.

[@MathieuStern]

Thanks for the info!

[@KathyXie]

I don't think any of those companies are making their own filters, they just put their brand on already existing chinese products and sell them for 4 or 5 time more their original price. They are come from the same factory in China, if you buy the off brand version on Aliexpress or shopee and make the comparison you will find hardly any difference even if you pixel peeping. To be fair is a very common practice nowadays from everything from electronic devices to clothes.

[@MathieuStern]

@@KathyXie Sadly i can't control this when people sent me filters, but it seems in fact that many of those filters exists on aliexpress for way cheaper, and in the end no one would really see a difference

[@viappioshred]

I couldn't find the mist one on aliexpress

[@patrickpfeiffer944]

Wow you're right. I even found the exact same stock photo for one of the filters on Prism FX on Aliexpress (Rainbow Flare FX) for like a 1/4 the price. I'm shocked and won't be buying from Prism FX.

[@ryanscottmurphy86]

This is so great! I was looking at all of those Prism FX filters recently, but I wasn't sure what to expect. Thanks so much for compiling this list, I love the simplicity of your videos!

[@chleepy]

expect terrible customer service lmao

[@iamsushi1056]

I’d love to see some of these stacked up on top of each other

[@MathieuStern]

great idea ! i will see what i can do

[@theoldbarbarian]

The second filter is my favourite, beautiful blur and colours

[@Francois_L_7933]

For some reason, I think that Jean Cokin invented most of these as far back as the 1970's... And BTW, the split diopter is intended to put something close-up and something very far into equal focus...

[@VladyYakovenko]

I would really want to get myself a fog filter

[@craigmckernan4056]

Another great video Mathieu. You piqued my interest the mist and other filters. Although I must say the soundtrack to this video is terffic, I've rewatched this video several times already just to listen to the song again.

[@theothertonydutch]

I got a diamond filter somewhere, they're great fun! Also got some good ideas from this.

[@MathieuStern]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@qtben17]

Diamond filter can now be done in post. I like that aura filter tho

[@gabrielmachadobsb]

Wow the griffon actually looks like fog! Very impressive

[@tigheklory]

This is what my astigmatism looks like without glasses.

[@SteveWB]

Love them all!!

[@parranoic]

The fog one I can really see an use for, maybe faking some CineStill

[@Rikleon]

Song is You Drive - "Royal Blue" Also the Dream Mist is perfect.

[@alexanderkbt]

Big thx

[@hughmanateecrisis]

We need to know what stacking them all looks like!

[@stevess7777]

My favorites are Dream mist and Starburst. Both are the opposites of each other, but very subtle in their rendition.

[@Biovirulent]

I love the diamond one. Reminds me of an A E S T H E T I C music video haha

[@Grandmaster_hag]

that griffon fog one would look great at winter street photos!

[@smaklilu90]

Woha .. this explains the visual effects on older music videos before the age of CGI

[@SP95]

Tellement stylé la lentille Motion de Spektrem Effects 🤩🤩

[@SNEAKchannel]

great video man , thank for test

[@MathieuStern]

Thanks for watching!

[@makatron]

Still love to use star filters for creative wedding work

[@antontaranenko8824]

Thank you for the nice video Mathieu 😊👍 I like SoraTama filter, type of partial fisheye on the center, very nice for taking nature landscapes wit a lot of flowers... Fog/soft effect, are really nice for video in some cases, and no need to use separate, special soft effect lens...

[@MathieuStern]

Glad you like it

[@BariumCobaltNitrog3n]

I have an airbrush that's a very fine sandblaster that I etch glass for focusing screens but now I'm going to point it at some of my old UV filters and cut up some of the plastic fresnel sheets and sample polarizers filters and glue them on. I loved your projector lens project and so I put one of mine (with zoom and focus) on a security camera and was surprised to find I have a decent telescope now. A car door a block away fills the frame. Pointing it upwards tonight. I just got a dash cam and have been playing with footage, mixing day and night and time lapse of the same roads. I'm inspired by all the work you do.

[@readyupswag]

I really enjoy the Dream Mist. I always saw Prism Lens FX get clowned on some of their ads but I do like their products.

[@mtmccornack]

I like to use the star filter sets.. awesome way to soften the image and add a little rainbow color.

[@jamesdecross1035]

The split-diopter filters should help with capturing near and far, at the same time.

[@heimer_5035]

all lenses are great but the Allure Streak BLUE 1:50 is my favorite because it looks like it was shot on an anamorphic lens :) anyways, great video!

[@MrAlgloom]

There is also a yellow, rainbow and clear streak filter. You can create a similar effect if you add a fishing line in front of your lens. Prismfx is rebranding Chinese generic filters and adding to the price. I am sure there are companies out there who create their own effect filters but prismfx isn't one of them :(

[@KathyXie]

@@MrAlgloom they all come from China, probably from same one or two factories, there is really not difference beside perhaps some quality control. Prismfx and any other western brand are very overpriced, the same filters are sold in China and asia for around 10, 15 or 20 usd.

[@matthewshanks3684]

Thanks for the solid filter tests!

[@vivreennz7867]

The fog filter is real nice. Might consider one!

[@kalkomsksikru]

Center field diopter and aura were my favorite. They match my photography style ❤️ I wish they sell these in my region

[@enkaphalin1111]

Got the diamond filter together with a pentax lens I bought. It came as a surprise haha since the seller packed it in without telling me. Its a nice filter up to certain wider focal lengths (>35 FF Equiv.), where the edges of the filter start to vignette heavily

[@juanpablofineart]

All of them are so amazing and so creative! Great video as always

[@mixeddrinks8100]

the starburst and the blue streak ones are pretty cool, but starburst is very cool

[@thenerdster_]

spektrem is the best!

[@ittoakimbo]

Reminded me of ‘70s Italian horror, wish is awesome!

[@Joodyunicorn]

In my life, I can count the times I smashed subscribe. It didn’t even include my favorite KZbinrs.. you’re special with a distinct sense of scene and sound. SUBEDDDDD OVeR and OvER again 🥰

[@MathieuStern]

thanks a lot Joody

[@PlantainEars]

This was cool. Thanks

[@sean_benton]

More more more more 😂, did not want this video to end. Greatly appreciate this channel!!!

[@MathieuStern]

More to come! I hope you subscribed

[@sean_benton]

@@MathieuStern immediately

[@larrywills4398]

Looks like a linear prism filter. you can get a similar effect from a kaleidoscope filter. Weird semi-vintage filters can be had for quite cheap on used markets (facebook, ebay, market stalls) or you can buy them new online. Make sure the filter thread (eg. 72mm) is bigger or matches the front of your lens to use it on. Buy some step-down rings if needed.

[@rejectfalseicons1920]

I own the diamond filter and it's arguably my favorite one

[@samuelghoener]

Some of these would be pretty awesome stacked on top of eachother

[@MathieuStern]

I made the video doing exactly that ! Check my channel

[@JTobiason]

Super helpful. Have been eyeing a few of those and it's nice to see them in a real life situation.

[@MathieuStern]

Glad you like them!

[@williamcurwen7428]

Contrast lowering filters that bleed some light into shadows and help prevent highlights blowing out - the more subtle the better.

[@Michaels_Angle]

Rainbow and halo diffraction filters are cool

[@mikail3171]

These filters are so great!

[@sierradaniels7072]

Wait how is 35 more cropped then 75

[@BasketxCase]

I'm glad someone else noticed.

[@joedirtpig814]

Maybe thats the size of they're filter threads, it annoyed me more than it should have.

[@samuel.gabura]

This was a great video, made me want to look into this. I never really used filters but yesterday I got to play with some I got as part of a secondhand set. None of them funky like this but now I want some. Thank you

[@dendorovium]

いい曲

[@tommyvictorbuch6960]

Take the clear plastic from a CD cover, then scratch it with strait parallel lines and make a cross pattern. This will give a cool water effect on a lake or the sea, holding it in front of the lens. The reflections from the sun, will give a star effect. A cheap and easy DIY project.

[@altaego1364]

Linear is pretty dope

[@ookiemand]

Great! reminds me of some of the 80's music video clip effects!

[@craigdick3231]

Wow, I've not heard of some of these products/companies. Will definitely be investing a couple of these filters!! Thanks for sharing Mathieu ✌

[@kkfaerber]

Ordered an aura filter because of this vid. Thank you!

[@MathieuStern]

Glad I could help!

[@fiskmactaggert5030]

i really want those first 3

[@VICKERY-]

2:31 WHOAAAA

[@LeendertCordemans]

I've a lot of those lens filters. Lovely.

[@DATApush3r]

Mind = Blown

[@mohamedabdelazez91]

0:59 me with already shuttered glass phone camera = *Built In Filter* 😌

[@FlorianSanchezCG]

Awesome stuff Mathieu, comme toujours!

[@MathieuStern]

Merci Florian

[@jirosaves_theworld]

some of them gave 70's and 80's look

[@vale-1041]

I have so many ideas that would be amazing with these. I might have to pick one or two up

[@MathieuStern]

Go for it!

[@suchitgangurde3514]

Wow! Nice video Mathieu.. Cheers!

[@zacgge]

great showcase, would love to get my hands on these and try them out, also the focal lenght in some cases really gives different outcome

[@thepanel2935]

Try the Cokin 'Prism' filter. The Cokin 'pastel' filters (#86 and #87 in the catalog) are good for fog effects, although that's not what they're designed to do, really.

[@keima1110]

Old fashion filter. I remember I seeing catalog of these type of filter when I was young..that's the 80's. My dad actually had a few of these.

[@chrishayes7677]

wow, very cool. I am keen to try some myself!

[@fastslow2810]

The prism lens was 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@HarryBalsak]

There's also a whirlpool/halo filter where the middle is clear, but everything else is distorted .

[@MartinMunthe]

Would be nice to have a correct demo of the split diopters for a combination of near and far focusing.

[@DarkNight80154]

Euphoria cinematographers are taking notes and stacking them all together

[@lexabrenns4330]

Thank you !! The way you showed them off; nice set up, showing them on two different lenses and putting directly the filter on so we can instantly see the difference, helps a lot to see accurately the extent of the effect of the filters . Just a question, how did you achieve the shot after the last filter , with the girl on focus and all the tree in a sort of blurry spiral?

[@toosas]

aura, starburst, dream and griffon for me

[@zenitpro]

I love the diamond and kaleidoscope ones... so trippy! What is the name of the tune playing in the background? I love it too!

[@JonahStratos]

Captivating.

[@ayhancapan]

I need a pack of those :))

[@DanielTuriman]

Love diamond filter

[@anarchisttutor7423]

I want to stop down a camera all the way for a landscape photo, put a UV filter on, and use some sort of marker to exactly cover the sky for a custom "ND" filter. I'm not a big fan of GNDs for landscapes with uneven horizons. This is essentially HDR in camera.

[@ouishi9447]

Love 1:55 lens, wish i could slap em on some glasses so everything would look like a 2013 Future music video

[@paradisenauts]

uniquefilter presentation!

[@bcegerton]

Great video, I think there’s only a couple of these you would use regularly, most are just gimmicks but may work in video production, like the Kaleidoscope and the Linear Prism, even the Diamond, effects you do see on some films. I’ve got a few star filters and also an old Cokin Motion filter which I’ve yet to try, as I mainly shoot Street I tend not to use Square/rectangle filters which my is but need to get the right size adapter ring first.

[@mtthwskdmr2]

I watch a ton of old 70s and 80s live music clips, and especially for the old BBC show "The Old Grey Whistle Test," a lot of these filters were used then. So really, they could be used for a very vintage feel.

[@bcegerton]

@@mtthwskdmr2 Oh yes, for things like that but still, most just wouldn’t be used for stills, possibly more for video though.

[@calfeggs]

the fog ones just make me feel like I need to wipe the grease off my camera.

[@codgerfiasco]

weird filter suggestion. make a video of them all on at once

[@asmrcuriositycabinet3143]

I want them all !

[@L4busaures]

Confetti filter please!