Filters on b/w film

removed account4 · Jun 22, 2021

I don't use filters very often but there are a zillion filters and ways to use them.
is there a resource somewhere that shows specific effects of specific filters
( maybe before and after images ). is there a definitive resource for this sort of thing?

logan2z · Jun 22, 2021

I found this page on Hoya's site useful:

https://hoyafilterusa.com/pages/how-black-white-filters-work

BrianShaw · Jun 22, 2021

This B+W filter handbook/catalog, also:

https://images-eu.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/C1x9LZAkTES.pdf

Sirius Glass · Jun 22, 2021

The short version:

Polarizers take out reflections and glints, but the position relative to the Sun has an effect. Darkens skies, but with wide angle lenses it can make the sky look funny.
Yellow, Orange and Red darken skies in that order. Using Red 25 too often will make you look like Ansel Adams, so use the Red 23 instead.
The color of the filter lightens that color and darkens the opposite color on the color wheel. That is, lighten a red rose with a red filter and it will darken the leaves.
Yellow-Green and Green lighten leaves.
Green removes pimples [it cuts back on the redness].

See even I will help you if you ask. Enjoy.

AgX · Jun 22, 2021

The "specific effect" of a filter is dependant

not only on
-) the spectral transmission of the filter

but also on
-) the spectral compostion of the illumiating lighting
-) the spectral reflection op the object
-) the spectral sensitivity of the emulsion

ProfessorC1983 · Jun 22, 2021

This is a resource I've found quite useful, showing the spectral transmission of a variety of common filters: CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 90th Edition - transmision of wratten filters.pdf

Andrew O'Neill · Jun 22, 2021

Sirius Glass said:
The short version:

Polarizers take out reflections and glints, but the position relative to the Sun has an effect. Darkens skies, but with wide angle lenses it can make the sky look funny.

Yellow, Orange and Red darken skies in that order. Using Red 25 too often will make you look like Ansel Adams, so use the Red 23 instead.

The color of the filter lightens that color and darkens the opposite color on the color wheel. That is, lighten a red rose with a red filter and it will darken the leaves.

Yellow-Green and Green lighten leaves.

Green removes pimples [it cuts back on the redness].

See even I will help you if you ask. Enjoy.

How can green cut back on the redness of pimples? Pimples are reddish. Doesn't green darken red?

Pieter12 · Jun 22, 2021

I often refer to this chart for a rough idea of how a filter will affect colors in a scene:

logan2z · Jun 22, 2021

Sirius Glass said:
Using Red 25 too often will make you look like Ansel Adams

Wow, those filters are more powerful than I thought.

Andrew O'Neill · Jun 22, 2021

Filters are not that powerful in the real world. Still a useful guide, though.

logan2z · Jun 22, 2021

Andrew O'Neill said:
Filters are not that powerful in the real world. Still a useful guide, though.

It was an attempt at humor, that apparently fell flat.

BrianShaw · Jun 22, 2021

logan2z said:
It was an attempt at humor, that apparently fell flat.

I got it. Was grocery shopping so could read the post while the deli person fed me baloney and cut the cheese. When I use a dark red filter I automatically have a beard and a big view camera!

MattKing · Jun 22, 2021

BrianShaw said:
I got it. Was grocery shopping so could read the post while the deli person fed me baloney and cut the cheese. When I use a dark red filter I automatically have a beard and a big view camera!

And a mule?

BrianShaw · Jun 22, 2021

MattKing said:
And a mule?

Ahem… that’s my wife you’re talking about. If she ever reads this… may God save your soul!

Buzz-01 · Jun 22, 2021

Mat Marrash has just posted a video on Youtube about color filters, might be interesting:

Andrew O'Neill · Jun 22, 2021

When I go out, I usually have a red, yellow, light green, and a couple of IR filters. I've got a ton more, but never use them.

logan2z · Jun 22, 2021

BrianShaw said:
Was grocery shopping so could read the post while the deli person fed me baloney and cut the cheese.

Your deli guy does that too??

foc · Jun 22, 2021

All you need to know about colour filters in B&w film photography but was afraid to ask.

https://www.ilfordphoto.com/colour-filters/

https://shootitwithfilm.com/using-color-filters-with-black-and-white-film/

removed account4 · Jun 22, 2021

thanks for the posts so far !

JensH · Jun 22, 2021

Hi,

I made this series of images using different filters to compare how they work with Ilford PanF Plus:

Filter_comparison_Oak by Jens Hallfeldt, auf Flickr

My conclusion: My favourite is one of the yellow light filters, the darker yellows are fine.
The greenish filters let the tonal reproduction get a bit out of balance. The worst image is the one without filter.

Maybe this is a bit helpful...
Best
Jens

Sirius Glass · Jun 22, 2021

logan2z said:
Wow, those filters are more powerful than I thought.

logan2z said:
It was an attempt at humor, that apparently fell flat.

I got the humor. I was writing for simplicity for the reader, and not getting wordy discussing overly darkened skies.

awty · Jun 22, 2021

You could just get a uv filter and make your own window filter or driving under water filter.
I like how my bolex 16mm camera has a slide in filter that goes behind the lens, so you can cut your own filters and texter them a certain way.

removed account4 · Jun 22, 2021

awty said:
You could just get a uv filter and make your own window filter or driving under water filter.
I like how my bolex 16mm camera has a slide in filter that goes behind the lens, so you can cut your own filters and texter them a certain way.

yeah,
I have my own SFX filters that I use all the time, but people always talk about color/d filters and even though I have used them on very scarce occasion
I am utterly clueless when it comes to this sort of thing, even the chart that was posted seemed greek to me, so I figured ..
maybe a good reference thread, for other people who might or might not be as clueless as me

Jens Hallfeldt said:
I made this series of images using different filters to compare how they work with Ilford PanF Plus:

huge thanks Jens!

is pan F your main film or have you done this with other films you use regularly as well ?
John

grat · Jun 22, 2021

Steve O'nions also did a video on B&W filters, using FP4+. Interestingly, while Matt's video is all about the technical reasons "to block this color, use this filter", Steve's is far more straightforward in terms of "blue lifts shadows, red darkens skies", that sort of thing.

Both enlightening, however. So to speak.

winger · Jun 22, 2021

Jens Hallfeldt said:
Hi,

I made this series of images using different filters to compare how they work with Ilford PanF Plus:

Thanks so much! Very helpful for me.

Filters on b/w film

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