Does anyone make high quality B&W contrast filters in 100x100mm size?

[Michael Mutmansky]

Hi folks,

I have a nice kit of B&W contrast filters (Y, OR, R, G, etc.) made by B+W in two sizes for my film cameras, but I am looking at a 100mm square filter system for some purposes and I was wondering if there are any B&W contrast filters even made in that size, beyond the cheap Cokin filters and much better quality Lee.

I just don't want to be using cheap junk and I'd prefer to not be using plastic/acrylic due to the lack of coating and the low resistance to abrasion. Those filters basically must be kept in a box that does not touch the faces; even a soft filter pouch that is space efficient can scratch them.

I'm just not seeing any made by anyone that meets my needs, but I thought I'd ask in case my search keywords aren't getting good results. There is one product that looks like what I'm asking about:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1683944-REG/ice_iceco_21_100_100x100x2mm_orange_bw_filter.html

This appears to meet my needs, but they only appear to make the orange filter; no Y, R, or any other contrast modifying color...

Any help would be appreciated.

I'm thinking I'm going to have to stick to the threaded filters for that application.

 

[Jim Peterson]

Pixel Peepers might be an option. I think they are in the UK. They are resin filters. I bought an orange filter from them on EBAY awhile back. I haven't got that film developed yet so not sure how that has turned out. Others may be able to chime in on their filters. They say their filters are 100x143 and can fit either Cokin or Lee. I have the Lee System and they fit nicely for that. Reasonably priced compared to the expensive Lee Filters. About $35-$40 and a decent selection of different filters.

 

[DREW WILEY]

4 inch is a standard size for both resin and gelatin filters. Try filterfind.net here in the Bay area. He might still have a few. Otherwise, if you're willing to pay for brand new ones, B&H still lists of large selection from several brands.

 

[Renato Tonelli]

TIFFEN 4x4inch (100mm) filters may still be available; They are too thick for the Cokin system.
I have the basic ones (Yellow, Red, etc.). I modified a Linhof Lens Shade to accept them.

 

[Michael Mutmansky]

Thanks for the comments...

Jim, I'm not sure those are available any more? The Ebay listing seems to be suspended or something. I can get to them through a Google search, but then going to the store webpage appears to have them all removed.

Renato, the Tiffen glass B&W contrast filters appear to be no longer, or at least the (horrific) Tiffen website doesn't show them and B&H doesn't appear to have any. All they seem to do now are the video/cine contrast and other special effects filters and color conversion filters (some of which people use for photography as well).

 

[Tom Taylor]

B&H still carries them although they no longer list the Schneider brand (no longer manufactured?) The Tiffen and Schneider brands are glass - at least that is what mine are - and their thickness appears to be the same ~4mm. IMO 2mm is too thin for glass filters and are prone to cracking. My Cokin Z-Pro holder is adjustable for filter thickness and will hold a combination of different thickness.

 

[Michael Mutmansky]

Thomas,

Thanks for the link. I'm not sure why when I looked I didn't see them with my search, but they are clearly there... Maybe I was searching only in stock as they all look like they may be special order.

Eugen, That wouldn't be a bad approach. I'll look around and see what options there are in coated glass filters in super large sizes. I could easily use a 95mm filter for this and I actually have a stone cutting saw that would likely do the job.

 

[DREW WILEY]

You can deal with Formatt HiTech directly if you want to. Just call them. But their glass filter 100mm squares are going to be quite expensive, around $250 apiece. Tiffen's version is also expensive. If it were me, I'd just rethink things and go to round threaded filters of appropriate size instead. But anything new glass and really big is going to cost you dearly.