Prism FX Filters for Car Photography
Lens filters have multiple purposes in photography as they can enhance colours, reduce reflections, and assist in proper exposure. In addition, some lens filters are designed to add visual interest to photos using special effects. That is where Prism FX comes in.
What is Prism FX?
Prism FX is a company founded in 2018 and based in Arizona in the United States. They create products that give unique in-camera effects, and they have a healthy range of products that includes filters, prisms and various adapters for their products. They target both photographers and filmmakers, but I want to focus on two of their products for car photography, as I believe they can add interesting effects to photos. However, there are some challenges in using them.
The products are affordable, but shipping to Canada is expensive, and duty must also be considered. Fortunately, I was able to send them to the USA just across the border to Canada, where I would have someone pick them up for me later, saving a bunch on shipping costs, but it did add quite a bit of time until I was able to get my hands on them.
Prism FX Filters with Filter Pouch
What You Get in the Box
Each filter has a small pouch with the Prism FX logo. It is well-padded and will protect your filter without concern. It’s a nice little pouch. Also, I got a few Prism FX stickers with the filters.
NOTE: Their website states that some products include pouches “when in stock.” So, I’m assuming that pouches, lens cloth, and stickers are probably the same, and you may or may not receive them when you order.
What are My Thoughts?
Centerfield Split Diopter FX Filter (from $79.99) was the first one I wanted to try. This filter creates blurry refraction that leaves the middle portion of the lens open and free from any distortion. Since this filter has a hard split with glass on each side, the refraction is not gradual and at high apertures, you will see a hard line in your frame. Prism FX recommends that you shoot at f/2.8, f/2, or f/1.4 for the best results, although in my experience, using the 24-105mm f/4, you can shoot above that aperture and still get good results. Although at f/4 and above, I find you have to zoom in quite far to lose the visible line, using the filters with a lens that goes to f/2, f/1.8, etc., would be really good with this filter.
I find this a nice filter to use in various scenarios of car photography. However, it probably works best with a single subject near the middle of your frame instead of multiple vehicles utilizing the entire composition.
The centrefield split diopter is available in 67mm, 77mm, 82mm, 90mm, and 95mm sizes.
Split Diopter FX Filter (from $84.99) is similar to the Centerfield, but its blur is focused on one side of the filter as 50% of the filter has glass and the other half is open. Most of the same information above applies here, where zooming in and using a low aperture will be best. I have used the centerfield more than this one as I have preferred the added blur to both sides in the instance that I feel that overall blur works for the photo.
The split diopter is available in 77mm, 82mm, and 90mm sizes.
Other Thoughts
If you look at their site, you may notice that both filters are available in different thread sizes and are inconsistent. I’m unsure if that is a stock issue at the time of checking or if that is the expected availability for these filters.
The split diopter is also available as a handheld accessory. ($99.99) Being handheld means well…you have to hold it, which may be problematic depending on how you are shooting (without a tripod, for example). Still, it allows you to adjust the effect by moving the filter around in front of your lens, making the effect more useful overall. There are various mounts and handles available as well if needed.
There are also adapter rings if you want to use filters with various lenses and lens sizes.
Both filters can be rotated on your lens, so you have those options if you are looking for horizontal or vertical effects.
If you are using auto-focus, there is a chance that your camera will get confused based on where your focus point is set. You can either use manual focus or set and lock your focus before attaching the filter.
Final Thoughts
I think both the centerfield split and the split diopter from Prism FX are nice additions to have, and I would recommend them if you want to try something different without having to try to replicate it in Photoshop. I won’t use them every time, though.
A few retail locations carry them, but they are currently very limited. There is only one store in Canada, which is in Toronto. Also, Prism FX products are not available at B&H Photo or Amazon (as Prism FX states directly below the “Add to Cart” button). However, if you reside in the United States, shipping will be substantially cheaper as the company is based in Tempe, Arizona.
When Prism FX started to think of how people would use their line-up of products, I didn’t think car photography was top of mind. But they do add some interesting elements to car photography.
BMW M2 shot with the Centerfield Split Diopter FX Filter - f/5.6, 47mm
Genesis GV60 shot with the Centerfield Split Diopter FX Filter - f/4, 105mm