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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Abel/Formatt Hot Mirror deal

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Mitch Gross

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Formatt recently introduced a new technology in Infrared filtering. Their IR cut filters are "Hot Mirrors," which reflect only the light in the lower IR range of the spectrum. Unlike other IR filter designs, the Formatt IR cutting layer is sandwiched inside protective layers of glass and can be used facing any direction. Abel Cine Tech has tested the Formatt filters on the RED One camera and found them extremely effective at reducing IR pollution. Abel and Formatt have created a special bundle for a set of filters that is less than half the retail price.

When no or lower levels of Neutral Density filtering is applied (up to ND.9), many clients find that no IR cut is required. For high levels of ND (ND1.2 or greater), the need for an IR cut filter is definite.

Our bundle includes straight ND filters in the common strengths of .3, .6 & .9, and a combination ND1.2 and IR cut. Because some clients prefer to use an IR cut filter at all times, we also include a IR cut only filter. With these five filters, one can choose to stack them together in multiple combinations. Please note that while the Formatt IR cut filters can be oriented in any direction, they should always be mounted in the mattebox as the outermost filter.

We have these bundles in 4x5.65 and 5.65x5.65 sets.


PACKAGE INCLUDES

(1) BO-BF4X5-ND.3HD4 – Formatt HD ND.3 4mm Filter
(1) BO-BF4X5-ND.6HD4 – Formatt HD ND.6 4mm Filter
(1) BO-BF4X5-ND.9HD4 – Formatt HD ND.9 4mm Filter
(1) BO-BF4X5HMHDMD124 – Formatt Hot Mirror Infrared ND1.2 4mm Filter
(1) BO-BF4X5HM4 – Formatt Hot Mirror 4mm Filter


Red Filter Package – Formatt IR/ND 4x5.65
Model: AB-RED-B330
http://www.abelcine.com/store/product.php?productid=1001126

Red Filter Package – Formatt IR/ND 5.65X5.65
Model: AB-RED-B333
http://www.abelcine.com/store/product.php?productid=1001127
 
Mitch, thanks for posting this.

Can you comment specifically on the performance of these filters along the parameters outlined by Evin Grant in his 4-part IR filter/hot mirror threads, e.g., increasing color shift off-axis (especially noticable with wide lenses), degree of filtration of infra-red vs. visible light? Maybe a graph showing the amount of filtration as the light frequency approaches visible light.
 
I did a tungsten test and found that you could see a difference as early as .3 and they were good even on a 16mm UP..

I keep meaning to do a daylight test but havn't got around to it. And If I can figure out how to put a PV filter on our 12mm UP we will test it as well.

Formatt have a graph on there web site showing what you want.

Michael Lindsay
 
I did some (unscientific) tests on a Red in full daylight and couldn't see much of a difference, but yesterday we were shooting on a Phantom HD and once we put some ND in while our black-clad talent was lit by an Arri T12, all of the blacks became purple.

The rental house thought I was crazy (as usual) but sent over the IR filter I requested and we got our blacks back.

IR contamination seems to be a huge problem with more cameras than just the Red. I would guess it occurs with any camera that uses a CMOS.

It's ironic that Abel posted this offer today, because after yesterday's experience I was Googling around to buy some IR filters for my kit. I will probably end up using it with my DSLR quite often as well.
 
eclaire said:
Mitch, thanks for posting this.

Can you comment specifically on the performance of these filters along the parameters outlined by Evin Grant in his 4-part IR filter/hot mirror threads, e.g., increasing color shift off-axis (especially noticable with wide lenses), degree of filtration of infra-red vs. visible light? Maybe a graph showing the amount of filtration as the light frequency approaches visible light.
Click to expand...

As suggested, check the Formatt website and see if this answers your questions. We have a number of benchmark test findings, but in deference to some manufacturers that sent us some prototypes and other NDA type info, I don't feel it right to release all the info. Also, we frankly have not organized the info enough at this point.

I can tell you that the off-axis performance was quite good while still effectively reflecting away the IR. The cut point is good as well, not digging too far into the visible spectrum (although a little into the red is a good thing as it balances the blue-starved nature of the CMOS sensor). It was the best balance of parameters we've yet seen on a front-of-lens Hot Mirror.
 
CrewPix.com said:
I did some (unscientific) tests on a Red in full daylight and couldn't see much of a difference, but yesterday we were shooting on a Phantom HD and once we put some ND in while our black-clad talent was lit by an Arri T12, all of the blacks became purple.

The rental house thought I was crazy (as usual) but sent over the IR filter I requested and we got our blacks back.

IR contamination seems to be a huge problem with more cameras than just the Red. I would guess it occurs with any camera that uses a CMOS.

It's ironic that Abel posted this offer today, because after yesterday's experience I was Googling around to buy some IR filters for my kit. I will probably end up using it with my DSLR quite often as well.
Click to expand...

All of our Phantom HDs are getting new OLPF with an IR absorber sandwiched in behind the lens. This is by far the most effective and prettiest solution. IR polution is an issue on all sensor technology, not just single sendor CMOS. That's why the Sony EX1 & EX3 are helped so much by an IR Cut filter. And they're hardly the only ones, trust me.
 
Dominic Cochran said:
Hey Mitch, any chance at all of getting these in 6x6?
Click to expand...

We'll check with Formatt. I can't imagine it would be a problem, although I don't think we could get you quite the same special pricing as these new Red bundles.

BTW everyone, I'm the one who came up with which filters would be in the set. I was trying to cover as many bases as possible while still keeping it economically realistic for you guys. Please let me know what you think as we're trying to serve clients as best as possible. We can always make special orders on anything, but the Red bundles are designed with the manufacturer on the idea that we'll mostly sell these so it's a volume discount concept. So the idea is to come up with the bundle that the most people would want.
 
Gregger at Ablecine just informed me of this yesterday. You guys have an amazingly affordable package of filters... I will say it again... Abelcine is awesome. Can't wait for our Oconnor 2575c, ff-4 and mb-20 with the filters to arrive.
 
As requested, Abel now also offers this bundle in 6.6x6.6.

Red Filter Package – Formatt IR/ND 6.6X6.6
Model: AB-RED-B336

http://www.abelcine.com/store/product.php?productid=1001128


It is Abel's policy not to publish our prices on items such as this. If you are interested in a quote, you can either go to our website and request one or you can email me and I'll have someone send you one. For everyone who PM's me via this site I have to ask them to please send me their direct email so that we can send a proper quote.

I'm told availability will be three to four weeks, but there is a chance it could come earlier.
 
you guys only service US, is that right? Or can internationalists go for this deal as well?
 
We service worldwide. Certain products have territory restrictions with other distributors, but not in this or most cases.
 
Hi Mitch,

Are you sure that IR pollution doesn't have any effect when using a 0.9 ND?

I believe most people use 0.3 and 0.6 NDs without any correction, but they start using it with 0.9, 1.2 and 1.5 ND.

It would be great if I'm wrong - I'll buy only a ND1.2+IR in that case. But I suspect you need to do something with 0.9ND as well.
 
That's why we have a straight ND.9 along with a clear IR Cut filter. Different people found different results. With our bundle you can go from 0 - ND 2.1 with our without IR cut with never more than two filters in the mattebox.
 
Martin Weiss said:
Any chance for an Absolute Minimum Pack consisting of
  • .6 ND grad vertical
  • 1.2 ND hot mirror
  • Pol circular
Click to expand...

You can always order individual filters. Send me an email and I'll ask a Sales rep. to get you a quote.
 
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