Description
Firecrest ND is a revolutionary new type of ND filter from Formatt-Hitech. Rather than dyed resin, Firecrest is a rare earth metal coating used to create hyper neutral NDs. The filters are made from 2mm thick Schott Superwite glass, and the multicoating is bonded in the middle to increase scratch resistance. Firecrest Filters are neutral across all spectrums, including UV, visible, and infrared.
For 100x100mm Firecrest Filters, please refer fo Firecrest Pro 100mm
Intro to Neutral Density
© ALEX GARCIA
Neutral Density (ND) filters are the essential filters for digital photography and cinematography. ND filters reduce the amount of light entering the camera and allow the photographer to create the following effects:
- Ethereal waterfalls and streams
- Flat water effect in oceans and lakes
- Streaky clouds
- Motion blur in sports
- Long exposures to remove people from public areas
- Shallow depth of field using fast lenses wide-open
- Adjusting aperture for cinematography
Firecrest ND is a quantum leap improvement over all previous generation ND and IRND products and represents the technological state of the art in scientific light modification. These glass filters are hyper-neutral across the visible light spectrum and also remove more IR contamination than any other filter - making them IRND filters.
© ANDY CONWAY
Firecrest is a radical departure in how ND filters are manufactured. Previous generation NDs were made by dying resin. Firecrest is not a dying process, it is a rare earth metal coating process that is applied directly to the glass through an electrolytic process.
On rectangular filters, the Firecrest coating is sandwiched between the finest Schott Superwite optical glass, increasing scratch resistance and longevity. Firecrest reduces all spectrums of light (UV, visible, near infrared and infrared) almost perfectly evenly.
Independent Test Data
These graphs show test results from an independent test performed at The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). The test measured the spectral power distribution of tungsten light reflected off a spectralon target made of barium sulfate using a Photo Research SpectraScan Model 705 spectroradiometer. The results were graphed according to their wavelength (in nanometers) along the X axis, versus radiance (in watts per steradian per meter squared) along the Y axis.
In the top graph, the yellow line represents the baseline tungsten light reading reflected off the barium sulfate target. This graph illustrates the excellent filtration properties of both the ProStop IRND (shown in green) and the Firecrest ND (shown in blue). Both filters appear nearly flat from this perspective.
The second graph emphasizes the differences between the two filters by removing the baseline tungsten reading and zooming-in on the Y axis. On closer inspection, the graph shows the ProStop IRND strongly attenuating the near-infrared spectrum before returning to neutral attenuation of the infrared spectrum around the 730nm mark. Firecrest (shown in blue) performs perfectly linearly in the visible light spectrum, before completely eliminating the infrared energy at around the 700nm mark. Compared to the ProStop IRND (which is the previous benchmark in IRND filtrations) the performance shown by Firecrest ND is nothing short of revolutionary. Firecrest ND truly is the future of ND filtration for digital sensors. Results in-the-field confirm the test data. The new Firecrest ND is amazingly neutral regardless of the camera make or model used.
Firecrest ND 2mm Filter Specs
© ROBERT HOWELL
- 2mm Firecrest filters fit the full range of Formatt-Hitech aluminum holders as well as the Lucroit 100mm and 165mm holder systems.
- Firecrest filters are supplied in durable clamshell packaging.
- Densities of 7 stops and higher also include a foam gasket which can be attached to prevent light leaks.
Densities Available
1 - 10 Stops | 13 Stops | 16 Stops
2mm Filter Sizes
85x85mm | 100x100mm
Circular Screw-in Sizes
39 | 46 | 49 | 52 | 58 | 62 | 67 | 72 | 77 | 82 | 95 | 105 | 127
THE NEW FIRECREST HOLDER MKII ATTACHED TO A TOKINA 11-20 T2.9 AND BLACK MAGIC POCKET 6K. WHEN PAIRED WITH THE FIRECREST ULTRA RANGE OF FILTER ALLOWS YOU TO GET CINEMA-QUALITY ND AT A FRACTION OF THE WEIGHT
A bigger polariser giving you a wider view
With recent developments in optical design, it has become more common for lenses to have larger threads. To accommodate these advancements we have expanded our CPL (circular polarising filter) to 86mm. This means wider compatibility and better performance on a range of new wide-angle lenses. It also makes it compatible with a range of cinema lenses such as the Tokina 11-20MM T2.9.
The polariser can be fitted into either included rotating ring adapter, and becomes an integral part of the holder. The polariser is operated with an easy to use thumbscrew. This allows you to set your grads and then dial in the exact
polarising effect you want. Due to its free movement, this means you can leave the polarising filter (CPL) attached at all times and simply turn off the effect if not wanted. The construction of the filter also means you can use the CPL filter as an independent filter without the need of the holder.
More step rings, more flexibility.
For improved performance on an even wider range of lenses, the holder now ships with two rotating adapters as standard. These adapters allow the lens to sit closer to the filters helping with wide-angle photography. The kit
includes an 86mm - 86mm rotating adapter and a 86mm - 82mm adapter. For best performance on 77mm and smaller wide-angle lenses, it is recommended to use the included step rings from the 86-86mm rotating adapter.