So, I learned my lesson — you have to stack filters with the new Tiffen glasss filters. That’s the only way that they’ll create a look that you’ll really like. Otherwise, they’re essentially just like dialing back the effect to a certain point. I found that to be true with the Glimmerglass variant at least. And even though I like Glimmerglass more the Pro Mist, I can’t deny that Pro Mist filters are very capable for every photographer who likes using them. But the newest fusion filters from Tiffen combine the effect with a CPL. And unless you’re stacking the filter on top of another, it just kind of ruins the look.
Tiffen sent us the filters to keep; but I’ve purchased lots Pro Mist filters on my own. Though Glimmerglass is still what I shoot with most days, Pro Mist filters give a look that softens the scene and causes a glow that reminds me of a dream or of foggy eyeglasses. And in some ways, the Pro Mist filters are how I see the world through my new contacts depending on how hydrated my eyes are. My favorite varaint of the filters are the Warm Pro Mist filters.
Here’s how Tiffen describes their filters:
- Black Pro-Mist + VND: This filter reduces highlights, lowers contrast, and softens facial lines, giving your images a smooth, cinematic appearance. It also offers up to 8 stops of light control, which is ideal for blurs and special effects.
- Glimmerglass® + VND: This one also provides a soft, radiant glow to highlights while improving the image with a subtle sparkle effect. One can control light up to 8 stops to create creating dreamlike visuals.
- Black Pro-Mist® + CPL: Like the VND, this will control highlights and contrast while increasing image depth and softening facial features. With CPL, one can also remove unwanted reflections, especially on glass and water. Furthermore, photographers can now enhance the sky’s blue color and details of the clouds.
- Glimmerglass® + CPL: Users will get bright highlights with a subtle sparkle, smooth facial lines, reduced reflections, and added contrast to clouds with this one.
Unlike with Glimerglass, I really don’t feel like the CPL majorly kills the Black Pro Mist look. That’s because the look isn’t majorly affected — if anything, it just kills the glare. Still, it’s best when it’s stacked on top of another Pro Mist filter of some sort. And for that, I tended to stack it on top of a Warm Pro Mist filter. When I did this, I got results that I really, really loved. However, note that the autofocus performance of whatever camera I was working with at the time majorly faltered. And that goes across the board for some of the best on the market.
Quite honestly, I would’ve preferred Black Pro Mist to be stacked with their Hollywood Star filters instead. I think that this would’ve been so much more effective rather than trying to cut down on the glare in a scene. Perhaps these were developed for all the photographers who make gas stations at night into half of their portfolio in pursuit of trying to find themselves while cruising down the highway and listening to their favorite chill vibe tunes. Yes, I know, that’s oddly specific. But those folks exist.
Tiffen, please make your Glimmerglass and Black Pro Mist filters with a Hollywood star filter instead. They’d be much better off.