Colourful Kaleidoscope Creative Filter

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Create stunning images with this kaleidoscope filter. The multi-faceted glass create incredible reflections within your image, whilst still allowing you to keep your central subject sharp and in focus. I think this filter is perfect for portrait and product photography, but the possibilities are endless.

This colourful version has a special iridescent coating that reacts to light hitting it, changing colours on the the facets around the clear centre glass. It's really unpredictable and you never really know what you're going to get, which makes for some fascinating and unique photos.

• Screw-in filter available in 77mm & 82mm fitment.
• The centre spot is clear glass, only the surrounding kaleidoscope facets are coated.
• Get a step up ring if you have a different sized front-thread on your lens. See below for advice on using a step up ring with this filter.
• Take the filter off the lens and go handheld with a 77mm filter adapter.
• Rotatable when fitted. The glass design is symmetrical so the rotation is of limited use to photographers, but is a great feature for videographers.
• Glass protrudes beyond the front ring of the filter, and it has no front screw thread. It is not possible to stack in front of this filter, but you can stack behind it.
• Supplied in a padded case for safe delivery, also useful for storage of the filter.
• Filter weight: 124g

Tips for using the filter

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to a filter like this. The photos you'll capture will be unique, and that's because you'll use it in your own way. That said, personally, I recommend using this at wider apertures (f2.8 and below) and usually with a typical portrait focal length (35mm-70mm), especially when you're starting out so you can get used to working with an unusual filter like this, and then branch out when you're comfortable to more experimental looks with wide-angle lenses and narrow apertures.

I'd suggest setting your AF point to the centre of the image since that's the only part of the filter that is in the same plane as the lens itself, otherwise autofocus systems can sometimes get confused by the filter. If you're using a tripod and your subject is still, it might be best to use manual focus so that you can be sure it's as sharp as possible in the centre, but generally speaking most AF systems shouldn't have too much trouble focusing on your subject with this filter.

Using a step up ring with the kaleidoscope filter

The kaleidoscope filter only comes in a 77mm filter thread, which is great if that's the same as your lens, but a lot of lenses have a different sized thread. A step up ring gets over this problem, allowing the filter to be used with almost any lens, but how will this effect the image?

When your lens is smaller than the filter, you will start to lose the edge effect of the filter, and the larger the difference in size, the more you will lose. Fortunately, with the kaleidoscope having so many different facets, even with a small thread lens like a 49mm you're still going to get that kaleidoscope effect. On a 72mm or 67mm thread lens you probably won't even realise that any part of the effect is missing.

Can I use this filter with your magnetic adapters?

I usually don't recommend going over 100g with the weight of filter attached to the magnetic filter adapters. The more weight you add, the more likely it is that the filter could become detached if you're moving quickly or your camera is getting knocked around. That said, I always use these filters attached to a magnetic adapter for the speed and convenience of swapping between filters easily. It is possible, but please be aware that you need to be careful and you need to use your own discretion and common sense when it comes to attaching heavier filters to magnetic adapters.

Be sure to tag @riguphoto on Instagram with your kaleidoscopic images!

*Order two items from the prism photography range and instantly save £4 on your order (discount applied automatically to your shopping basket. Order 3 and save £8, 4 and save £12, 5 items will save £16.