Subtle Kaleidoscope Creative Filter 77mm - Demo/Customer Return

This filter was either returned by a customer or I opened up the wrapping to take a look at the filter (such as when I do a quality check on new stock) so it's now considered an open box item. All of these filters will be like new or close to it, at worst there may be a little bit of scuffing on the thread where a customer has tried it out before sending it back. It will usually come in the original packaging, but that might not always be the case; it will always be safely packed for travel though.

You can get this filter at a great price and it's also eligible for the multi-buy offer.

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. Whilst to a lot of people a lens with 8 facets around it's edge doesn't scream "subtle", compared to our other kaleidoscope filter this is creates a notably less busy image, whilst still producing stunning images.

• Screw-in filter available in 77mm  fitment.
• Get a step up ring if you have a different sized front-thread on your lens.
• 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 box for safe delivery, also useful for storage of the filter.
• Filter weight: 124g

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. I used to believe that a filter like this was best at f2.8 and wider apertures, and also only at typical portrait lengths, but experimentation and learning how to use the filters has taught me that you can get interesting results at any focal length and any aperture. 

How does the subtle kaleidoscope compare to the normal kaleidoscope filter?

Below you can see a simple demonstration of how the two filters work when used with a 50mm lens on an APS-C sensor camera at a distance of about 3 metres from the clock in the images. 

Can I used the subtle kaleidoscope filter with a step up ring?

Yes! It's important to be aware of how a step-up ring will change the look of the subtle kaleidoscope. As you can see in the example I've really gone to extremes and I'm using the subtle kaleidoscope filter with no step-up ring and a 50mm lens (again APS-C sensor) on the left, and then I've put the same filter onto a 50mm lens that has a 49mm filter thread using at 49-77mm step-up ring.

With this size difference the edges of the filter are hanging over the sides of the lens, and the flat centre spot of the filter takes a proportionately larger amount of the field of view of the lens which gives a larger "normal" section on the image in the centre, and reduces the kaleidoscopic effect. It can still be a cool look at 50mm or possibly longer focal lengths, but if you want to use a small lens with a small filter thread, you're going to get more of the kaleidoscope effect if you use a wider focal length such as 18-35mm as the field of view gets wider and incorporates more of the angled section of the filter.

Please remember that using a 77mm filter with a lens that has a 49mm filter thread is me taking this to extremes for demonstration purposes. The closer your filter thread is to 77mm the less difference you will see in your images.

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

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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, and so on.