Tiffen 77mm Indie Pro Infrared/Neutral Density Filter Kit (0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2, 1.5, 1.8, 2.1 IR/ND Filters)

The Tiffen 77mm Indie Pro Infrared/Neutral Density Filter Kit is a more-than-complete filter outfit (7 filters) for the outdoor shooter who wishes to create special effects without having to put in any post-production time. This combination of neutral density filters gives you the freedom to make some unique and effective images that would ordinarily not be possible.

Color shift is a critical factor in digital photography. This color shift is directly affected by the infrared spectrum.  Specifically, in high definition photography, the sensitivity of imaging sensors to IR has become a challenge. This is particularly evident when using standard neutral density filters that absorb visible light but pass infrared.

Unlike many photographic films, the CCD or CMOS of a digital camera is inherently susceptible to infrared contamination, even when the manufacturer attempts to reduce this problem by adding an infrared absorbing filter on top of the image sensor. Because these filters do not have a sharp cutoff at the infrared wavelengths there has to be a compromise in order not to exclude visible red wavelengths. This results is some infrared wavelengths being allowed to pass.

While minor infrared contamination does not normally cause much of a problem for visible images, when using conventional neutral density filters especially denser grades, this issue is multiplied by the filter factor.

Tiffen has now addressed this problem with the introduction of its exclusive line of IR/ND filters. This is particularly important as it now allows for the use of the denser grades of Neutral Density filters needed for these light sensitive cameras while, at the same time, maintaining complete color balance.

The kit contains a 1-stop (0.3), 2-stop (0.6), 3-stop (0.9), 4-stop (1.2), 5-stop (1.5), 6-stop (1.8) and 7-stop (2.1) set of ND filters. Using these filters permits you to use slower shutter speeds that can produce blurred effects of nature, sports or any action you choose, i.e. flowing water, birds in flight, cars - just about anything you can think of. It also permits you to shoot on the beach or in bright light when using high speed ISO ratings by enabling slower shutter speeds to be employed.  Irrespective of the medium you are using such as film, digital, video or cine, neutral density filters are quite valuable and should be a part of any shooter's arsenal of tools.  

Often it is necessary or desirable to control the light intensity within a given frame. This is especially true in situations where you don't have total light control, as in bright contrasty landscapes. Exposing for the foreground will produce a washed-out, over-exposed sky while exposing for the sky will leave the foreground dark and under-exposed. A neutral density filter will allow you to retain exposure control but will not affect the color of the image.

Neutral Density filters allow you to shoot under conditions that would normally be impossible to shoot under - particularly outside in snow, beach or extreme bright light scenarios. For the landscape photographer, irrespective of the format you use (film, digital, video or cine), this filter is almost a necessity because it permits you to maintain creative control over a tough lighting venue while still maintaining proper exposure.

For those who like moody, soft creative looks to their images, this filter can produce blurred movement when used with waterfalls, fast moving objects (cars, etc) and even nature subjects such as birds in flight or running animals. There are people who even use them on their iPhone to capture interesting images when a traditional camera isn't handy.