Latin America. Due to today's high expectations for digital materials, the image quality demands of today's industry, and the growing demand for the highest quality external filters from customers and end users, ARRI was inspired to create its own FSND external filter. ARRI is already very familiar with Premium filters: the ALEXA Mini and AMIRA cameras come equipped with an internal FSND filter that is hugely respected in the industry and is absolutely color neutral. Now, there is no longer any need to reduce or distort the unsurpassed dynamic range of ARRI camera sensors with lower quality external filters.
The FSND ARRI filter comes in two sizes: 6.6" x 6.6" and 4"x 5.65". In terms of optical quality, the Schott B270i glass used in the ARRI FSND filter is manufactured following very high standards. The glass is polished completely flat on both sides of the filter with fully parallel surfaces. Flat parallelism is particularly important when using a wide-angle telephoto lens as areas of the focal plane can be smoothed. FSND filters reduce the amount of light entering the lens allowing the filmmaker to shoot in more open t-stops under higher light conditions without generating overexposure. FSND filters also make it possible to create motion effects on elements such as water or traffic in bright conditions.
Unlike most external filters from other manufacturers, which have square and irregular edges, the edges of ARRI FSND filters have a perfect semicircular shape. This curved edge reduces glass chipping and makes mounting easier and safer. The edges of arri's FSND filter have also been painted black to prevent light scattering. Near the edge of the filter on the surface of the glass also sports a DPM mark that will help improve safety in both the inventories of rental homes and individual owners.
Not only have the filter materials and shape been expertly selected, but ARRI has devoted a lot of time and energy to the various coatings of FSND filters. Multiple layers of ND coating, anti-reflective coating (AR), water-repellent coating, oleophobic coating, as well as a "hard" final coating applied on both sides of the filter (something only ARRI offers). The normal filter in contact with air has 4% - 6% reflectivity on each surface in contact with air, but ARRI has achieved 0.2% reflectivity. Since screws often stack filters and as reflectivity is cumulative, reducing it by a factor of 20 is sensational. Reducing reflectivity maximizes contrast, allowing the full dynamic range of the sensor to be captured, making HDR workflows easier.
The additional coatings, water-repellent and oleophobic, prevent water and grease – respectively – from adhering to the surface of the glass, which in turn drastically reduces the cleaning time. The hard coating, which serves to prevent scratches on the filter, is extremely durable and resistant to use and wear. In testing, filters from other manufacturers were much less able to withstand repeated scrubbing or cleaning in the same area without leaving marks. This coating makes the filters more resistant and extends their useful life thus prolonging the return on investment.
The cases that come with each ARRI filter are also high-quality products designed to provide the best possible protection throughout the life of the filter. The outer fabric is made of CORDURA fabric, while the lining is made of a microfiber-like material called MICRODEAR, which is antistatic and is not only silky to the touch but also cleans the surface of the filter every time it is removed from the case or put back away.
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