SCENE 01 / LENS FILTERS
Lens Filters
Professional cinema filters for your New York production.
Here is how this works in practice. Lens filters are optical accessories that modify light entering the camera, controlling exposure, contrast, reflections, and color. Pro filter sets including NDs, polarizers, diffusion, and effects filters give cinematographers precise creative control over the image at the point of capture.
Here is the short of it. We give access to pro lens filter sets matched to your lens diameters and creative needs. Our team sources filters from reputable suppliers, making sure optical quality that meets cinema standards while setting up delivery alongside your camera and lens package.
Capabilities
Filter Inventory
Comprehensive selection of ND, diffusion, and effects filters from top manufacturers.
Professional Filter Solutions
Capabilities
Our Process
Creative Discussion
Knowing your visual way and the look you want to achieve with your project.
Filter Selection
Recommending filters based on your camera, lenses, and artistic needs.
Testing
Testing filter combinations with your specific camera and lens package before production.
Production Support
Extra filters and alternatives ready across your shoot.
On Location
Cinema filter sets from Tiffen NYC and the boroughs' rental houses
Here is how the work lines up. Filter inventory in New York leans on Tiffen's Hauppauge headquarters and the matte-box ecosystem that radiates out through AbelCine LIC, Adorama Rental Co at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, TCS Cine Services in Greenpoint, Panavision NY in Hell's Kitchen, Foto Care, and Hand Held Films Brooklyn.
Our rental team books the full Tiffen IRND ladder from 0.3 through 2.1 in 4x5.65 and 6.6x6.6 — the standard ARRI LMB 4-5, LMB 6-5, and Bright Tangerine Misfit Kick sizes — alongside Schneider True-Streak, Hollywood Black Magic, Black Frost, Glimmerglass, Black Pro-Mist 1/8 through 1, GoBel, and Mist Magic graduated sets that DPs working out of Silvercup Long Island City and Steiner Studios in the Navy Yard often request.
Here is the breakdown. Polarizer stock runs Tiffen and Schneider circular in matte-box and screw-in form, with Shifting NDs and combo IRND/pol pieces staged when sun-soaked Manhattan rooftop shoots or Hudson Valley unit moves demand fast exposure shifts. Tribe7 Blackwing, Cooke Speed Panchro vintage rehoused, and Atlas Orion glass shipped from Adorama or Hand Held often pair with subtler diffusion — 1/4 Black Pro-Mist or Glimmerglass — and we stage matched test charts so the cinematographer signs off before the truck rolls.
Here is what that looks like on the ground. Each order is bench-tested at the rental house with the cinematographer's exact body and lens mix. Tiffen IRND skew measured against the camera's IR sensitivity on the ARRI Alexa 35, Sony Venice 2, or Red V-Raptor, with skin-tone test frames captured under tungsten and HMI to flag any unwanted warm-shift.
Here is how the picture comes together. Our team lines up the prep day at AbelCine or TCS so the camera, lens, and filter package arrive on the same truck, and we keep duplicate IRND stops and back-up diffusion strengths in the matte-box case for the moment the DP wants to swap mid-scene. NYC's dense-built RF settings doesn't touch optical filters.
But the FCC RF planning and Local 600 IATSE cinematographers' guild forms that surrounds each Manhattan or Brooklyn shoot still routes through our office. The MOME Made in NY permit packet — with parking, power packs placement, and gear manifest — is filed ahead of the call sheet. A 24-hour replacement cycle runs out of Williamsburg and the Navy Yard. The NYS Film Tax Credit records moves through ESD channels alongside the rental forms.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What ND filter densities do you stock?
We carry a full range of ND filters from 0.3 (1 stop) through 2.1 (7 stops), plus variable NDs and graduated NDs. We stock both standard ND and IRND filters to control infrared when shooting with digital cameras.
Which diffusion filters do you recommend?
The most popular choices are Tiffen Black Pro-Mist and Schneider Classic Soft for subtle skin smoothing without losing sharpness. Glimmerglass adds halation to highlights. We can test options with your camera to find the right look.
Do you have 4x5.65 and 6.6x6.6 sizes?
Yes, we stock filters in both standard cinema sizes—4x5.65 for most matte boxes and 6.6x6.6 for larger format work. We can match filters to your matte box system.
What polarizer options are available?
We give circular polarizers in many sizes for reducing reflections and enhancing skies. We also have linear polarizers for specific effects. Our team can advise on the right polarizer for your camera system.
Can you provide matte boxes with filters?
Yes, we supply matte boxes from ARRI, Bright Tangerine, and others, configured with the filter stages you need. Matte boxes can be matched to your lens package for optimal performance.
Do you offer filter testing?
Yes, we recommend testing diffusion and effects filters with your specific camera and lenses before production. We can arrange testing time to help you find the right combination.
Related Services
Productions in New York that need this often pair it with Cinema Lens Kits, Camera Equipment Rental, and Camera Support Systems for full coverage. Most projects also draw on HMI & Tungsten Lights and Camera Operator.
On Set
Need Lens Filters?
Tell us about your visual requirements and we'll recommend the right filters.