Hollywood Black Magic vs. Classic Soft - Schneider Diffusion Filter Test

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I get asked this question a lot: "What strength or density of filtration should i buy?" Hence, today's video. We are comparing two of my favorite diffusion filters from Schneider: the Hollywood Black Magic and the Classic Soft, at two different densities for each; 1/8 and 1/4. I've found that different strengths look better or worse on different focal lengths. So this extensive test includes many different focal lengths and lenses: Classic Zeiss ZF.2 21mm f/2.8; Contax Zeiss 28mm f/2 (The Hollywood Lens); Contax Zeiss 35mm f/2.8; Contax Zeiss 50mm f/1.4; Contax Zeiss 85mm f/2.8, and Sigma Art 18-35mm f/1.8. We're also taking a look at how diffusion filters affect the bokeh. Plus, I show you guys these new inexpensive and awesome LED fairy lights!
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Hollywood Black Magic 1/8:
amzn.to/3c3AjbE
Hollywood Black Magic 1/4:
amzn.to/3c3ApQy
Classic Soft 1/8:
amzn.to/3di4xrE
Classic Soft 1/4:
amzn.to/2L5PC7M
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In case you missed the full review & comparison video on the Schneider Classic Soft kit:
• The Best Diffusion Fil...
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#Hollywood #Blackmagic #Zeiss

[@therenderer4726]

Hi Justin, based on your experience on various projects, if you could only choose one filter for your kit, which strength would it be - 1/8 or 1/4 and why? Also, is the surface on these filters uneven or smooth, and can it be cleaned easily as with all glass filters? Thank you.

[@JustinPhillip]

This right here is the diffusion filter I've been using the most lately: amzn.to/3k8rdyp It's the perfect amount of diffusion with a clean look. Also, I only clean my lenses & filters with Pancro. And this right here is the perfect lens/filter cleaning kit: amzn.to/37nyyGD As far as the Classic Soft filters go, they are comprised of tiny bubblets, but they are smooshed in between two panes of glass.

[@KZLR]

@@JustinPhillip Is the quality comparable between the HBM and the Tiffen Diffusion FX? Is the 1/2 Tiffen a lot like the 1/8? That's exactly what I am looking to find out! Great vid btw. I need an all purpose, for inside and outside, to help reduce facial blemishes/wrinkles a little.

[@JustinPhillip]

@@KZLR completely different diffusion filters

[@KZLR]

@@JustinPhillip Ah, I thought they were supposed to be similar. What's the benefit of the Tiffen you've been using?

[@JustinPhillip]

@@KZLR HBM is a much heavier black diffusion. FX filters or Digital Diffusion are white diffusion filters, and much more subtle

[@BeatsWithKev]

I learn so much from this channel. Your whole part about dirty bokeh had my jaw to the floor for not noticing it before in films.

[@JustinPhillip]

Nice! 💪🏼🙌🏼

[@matthewmaccarthy8542]

My understanding of Pro Mist filters is that the different strength filters are meant to be used with different focal length lenses. For example I have had successful results with this formula; the 1/2 pro mist with an 18mm lens, the 1/4 pro mist with a 25mm & 35mm lens, and the 1/8 pro mist with a 50mm & 85mm lens. If the same strength filter is used on all of your lenses the diffusion effect will be much stronger on the longer focal length lenses and much weaker on the wider lenses which will result in shots not matching, or not looking as if they were cut from the same visual cloth so to speak. I don't know with 100% certainty, but I assume this principal applies to any other diffusion filters that come in different strengths. I hope this was useful to you.

[@JustinPhillip]

That is the normal workflow. However neither of these filters are Pro Mist filters, but also, not every project is going to call for the same “formula”, the point of the test is to just show what the 1/4 & 1/8 look like on different focal lengths. For instance, i have certainly done jobs where i used a Classic Soft 1 on the 85mm because thats the look we chose during testing with the director.

[@shaunmaddox]

Thanks for the video Justin. I’m really digging the the look of Classic Soft. Very helpful!

[@nicholastoo858]

Great comprehensive test, thanks.

[@JustinPhillip]

You bet!

[@mariolobo6639]

Nice test! Great work Justin!

[@JustinPhillip]

Thanks!

[@davidnazareno4805]

Thank you very much! It´s one of the best videos that i see about Filters.! To favorites!

[@JustinPhillip]

David Nazareno Thanks!

[@ianzhao5693]

Hollywood black magic 1/4 is black frost 1/8 combined with hd classic soft 1/4. The black frost intensity is the same among all Hollywood black magic filters.

[@ianzhao5693]

I'm looking for a filter for Komodo. It seems that the black magic 1/4 is just enough to take the edge off the 6k red sensor. I'd love to see a glimmerglass and black magic comparison.

[@timpolster]

Thanks for the great video!

[@stu9000]

Thanks for the comparison. I prefer the Classicsoft to the HBM.

[@JustinPhillip]

stu9000 yeah, i find each of them have their own purpose for the right job

[@TonyFuego]

I got the 1/4 in last week. Almost ready for hollywood!! Thanx for the video.

[@JustinPhillip]

Tony Fuego Hey oh! 🦾🙌🏼

[@ericcoen8894]

I just noticed that the speedbooster you use is T cine EF to MFT version. Not that specific EF to BMPCC4K version.

[@JustinPhillip]

yupp,

[@thenightowl5438]

@@JustinPhillip I want to use those beautiful vintage lenses that you use but i have the 0.64x ef to bmpcc4k meta bones adapter. Would I have to buy a different adapter?

[@JustinPhillip]

@@thenightowl5438 no that's perfect. that metabones works better with full frame lenses.

[@thenightowl5438]

@@JustinPhillip awesome! I can’t wait to get the set! Thank you

[@AmmayumMollum]

Hey I am looking for a good filter that gives a film look with the bmpcc 4k..I am using a 24-70 canon L Lens.. I was thinking about the Nisi Black mist 1/8...

[@JustinPhillip]

i would stick with a name brand, like Schneider or Tiffen or Firecrest, but that's just me

[@BadKarma714]

Good video

[@creativegreats6924]

What is best Schneider Hollywood black magic filter for a canon ef 16-35 f4 lens( it’s 77mm round )

[@TG-he9ph]

Just the video I needed. I was conflicted about getting the HBM 1/4, because it seemed like it was more intense than I wanted, but seemed like the most popular choice. Thanks for this! Getting the 1/8.

[@JustinPhillip]

Perfect!

[@TG-he9ph]

Justin Phillip Thanks again! Since I’m a new sub I have a lot of catching up to do on your content. :) Sidenote: if you could only have one diffusion filter in your bag, which (and at which density) would you pick?

[@JustinPhillip]

@@TG-he9ph Excellent question! Right now i'm really digging the Classic Soft. and since i can only have one in this scenario, I guess i'd go with the 1/4 since my standard lens (go to lens) is the 28mm f/2 Zeiss

[@JustinPhillip]

@@TG-he9ph also, you might be into this video, if you haven't seen this yet: kzbin.info/www/bejne/naqnq2SEiNaUia8

[@TG-he9ph]

Justin Phillip Awesome, I will definitely check it out. Any experience with the HD Classic Soft vs the Classic Soft?

[@yaroslavkovalenko5590]

Justin thanks for a video! Any holder you can recommend for 67 mm lense to use those square filters?

[@JustinPhillip]

amzn.to/3fMV1iK

[@yaroslavkovalenko5590]

@@JustinPhillip Thanks bro! Have you seen also kind not a matte box but one can slide inside filters into that plastic holder?

[@JustinPhillip]

@@yaroslavkovalenko5590 Maybe something like that little Tilta matte box?

[@ReelCoolAdventures]

great video! I had to turn the volume down during the test so my wife didn't think I was watching vintage porn. lol

[@JustinPhillip]

REEL COOL ADVENTURES 🤣🤷🏻‍♂️

[@YussefHaridy]

Do the filters have front threads to stack on an ND?

[@JustinPhillip]

yes

[@jpbersabe]

Great video. Will you be doing a Tiffen vs HBM comparison video? I’d love to know what you’re thoughts are.

[@JustinPhillip]

TBH i have not touched my BPM for about a year, because i use HBM instead. This video kinda demonstrates why kzbin.info/www/bejne/naqnq2SEiNaUia8

[@jpbersabe]

Justin Phillip thank you so much. This answered my personal debate between the two.

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

Excellent video; Only addition would be your conclusions at the end. Otherwise, amazing work. Bottom line if you were poor & can could only buy one of them, which would it be? Liked/subbed!

[@JustinPhillip]

Thank you! Yeah, test went a little long, so i kind of abandoned the conclusion on this one. I own both, and prefer the 1/8 on the 35, 50 & 85. And the 1/4 on the wider lenses. But to answer your question, since the HBM is so heavy, i’d say go with the 1/8. And if you’re going with Classic Soft, then i’d get that one in 1/4

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

Hey, thanks for the quick reply Justin! I'm looking at 4x4 matte boxes right now.... 'Cause I have to have me one of those HBM's!

[@joonajks]

Have you ever stack the classic soft filter with the black magic filter? Or is it a bad idea?

[@JustinPhillip]

i’ve never stacked diffusion filters. I imagine that would cause some pretty heavy halations and glare

[@joonajks]

@@JustinPhillip thank you sir!

[@lifescansdarkly]

Man, what a difference in skin texture! I liked the higher filter strengths better, even as you moved up the focal lengths. Just gotta be careful with backlighting and flare. The Contax lenses have a nice softness to them already so they don't need as much diffusion, but with modern lenses I think you could go all the way up to 1/2, maybe even 1 with wide lenses.

[@JustinPhillip]

i agree. The softness of the Contax’ is one of the many reasons why i recently sold them

[@lifescansdarkly]

@@JustinPhillip It's a beautiful look, but just not as practical for all projects, especially if you're punching in on the footage. Thanks for the awesome demo!

[@JustinPhillip]

@@lifescansdarkly you bet!

[@EYECRAFTVideo]

Hi bro would love to see a video of you lighting a car interior at night however the light gotta be inside - whats your solution ??

[@JustinPhillip]

EYECRAFTVideo use moonlight or nearby street lamps as motivation for lights. In the past i’ve used little one foot quasar tubes for car interiors, on the inside of the car, meanwhile outside of the car have aputure led panels acting like street lamps

[@EYECRAFTVideo]

​@@JustinPhillip thanks bro - Ive tried tube lighting in the car on the ceiling but it eats 1 inch, a great solution would be a flixable mat light, usulally about a quater of an inch thick, 12 inches wide by 5in ... do you know of any ... Many thanks

[@stevofoo]

Hi Justin, do you have any experience with pentax takumar lens for filming??? :) thanks!!!

[@JustinPhillip]

i have never shot with them, but i hear great things! I never went for them because i'm not a fan of the yellowing

[@stevofoo]

@@JustinPhillip Thanks for replying, Justin!!! Yes, the older versions have yellow glass elements and they get worth as its aging. I am planing to get the Kmount version, newer glass, no yellowing. Anyway, you have all the best glass already from Zeiss. maybe I will save up for the Zeiss. And Can you please show off how your Zeiss lens flares??? and maybe bokeh???

[@JustinPhillip]

yupp, already did :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZ64npmMo6yah6M

[@JustinPhillip]

ahh whoops! It's this one kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5XKq5Wvp65seKM

[@stevofoo]

@@JustinPhillip Thanks you so much!!! Great channel man!!! Going to get the bmpcc 4k!!!!!

[@TimandLauren]

hey justin, now in 2021 would you still take classic soft over black magic 1/4?

[@JustinPhillip]

hmmm…that’s a toughie. Well i definitely still own both. Guess it just depends on the project. I do think Classic Soft is better suited for softening skin and more of a “beauty” look.

[@TimandLauren]

@@JustinPhillip i see, what would you use the black magic for that you wouldnt use the classic soft for?

[@JustinPhillip]

@@TimandLauren HBM for a more grittier look. Classic Soft is more of a vintage look in terms of how it handles the highlights. Classic Soft blooms the highlights VERY heavily.

[@TimandLauren]

@@JustinPhillip gotcha, that makes sense. I have the dream fx and thats wayy too much for a creative look. Think the black magic will probably be best for a subtle yet soft look without blooming the highlights too crazy?

[@JustinPhillip]

@@TimandLauren yes

[@bigtank4997]

Do they make a 52mm?

[@JustinPhillip]

yupp!

[@clgrant48]

Dollar tree also carries the lights

[@CodakChris]

wow she knew what she wanted said screw the dp this what you use lol

[@JustinPhillip]

CODAK CHRIS Oh yeah, you’re talking big hollywood stars. They call the shots. Most of them even have a say on what lens they use when doing close ups.

[@CodakChris]

@@JustinPhillip status leeway

[@HANIRAQ]

where are you bad boy?

[@JustinPhillip]

Filmmaker IRAQ 🤣🤣 Getting certified in Resolve and building a new set of ND’s. But i’m on a new schedule now, weekly KZbin videos every Thursday night at 7pm. Allows me time to work on the quality, plus gives Patreon members two days early access

[@HANIRAQ]

@@JustinPhillip 👍👍👍👍👍 waiting for the next video.