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Schneider

Schneider ND .3 Soft Edge 1/4 Glass Filter (4x5.65")

$127.47

This filter is a professional-grade optical tool primarily used in cinematography and high-end photography with matte boxes. It features a graduated neutral density design, where half of the filter is clear, and the other half has a 0.3 neutral density, with a soft-edge transition between the two areas. This allows a user to control light levels in a specific part of the scene, such as a bright sky, without underexposing the rest of the image.Additionally, the "1/4" indicates that the filter incorporates a secondary effect, likely a subtle diffusion similar to a Classic Soft or Black Frost filter, which gently softens highlights and reduces blemishes while maintaining overall sharp focus. The filter is constructed from crystal-clear water-white optical glass, ground and polished to high standards to ensure no discernible color shift and minimal image degradation. Its rectangular 4x5.65" size is specifically designed for use in professional matte box systems, allowing precise positioning of the transition line.

View Product Features
  • Graduated Neutral Density: Features a 0.3 (1-stop) neutral density on one half, transitioning to clear on the other.
  • Soft Edge Transition: The transition between the clear and dense areas is soft-edged, making it suitable for use with wide-angle and normal focal length lenses without a visible transition line.
  • Diffusion Effect: Includes a subtle "1/4" diffusion grade to gently soften highlights and skin blemishes while preserving overall sharpness.
  • Optical Quality: Crafted from crystal-clear water-white optical glass for high clarity, contrast, and true color balance.
  • Durable Construction: Protected against edge-chipping and delamination by Schneider's unique Edge Seal technology.
  • Standard Size: Measures 4 x 5.65" (101.6 x 143.5 mm) and is 4mm thick, designed for compatibility with standard professional matte boxes.
  • Application: Ideal for controlling contrast in challenging lighting situations, such as balancing bright skies with darker foregrounds in landscape photography and cinematography.
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About the Schneider ND .3 Soft Edge 1/4 Glass Filter (4x5.65")

The Schneider ND .3 Soft Edge 1/4 Glass Filter is a professional, high-quality optical filter designed for use in cinematography and professional video production. The "ND .3" indicates it is a Neutral Density filter with a density of 0.3, which reduces light transmission by 1 stop (allowing half as much light to pass through). This enables cinematographers to use wider apertures or slower shutter speeds in bright lighting conditions to achieve desired creative effects, such as shallow depth of field or motion blur, without overexposing the image. The "Soft Edge" designation refers to a gradient where the density transitions smoothly from the neutral density at the top to clear at the bottom. This 1/4 (one-quarter) transition is subtle and is used to gently balance exposure differences within a frame, such as darkening a bright sky while leaving the foreground unaffected, creating a more natural and balanced look without a visible hard line.

Constructed from precision-ground optical glass, this filter is mounted in a standard 4x5.65-inch (also known as 4x6) filter frame, making it compatible with matte box systems used on professional cinema cameras. The soft-edge gradient is carefully manufactured to ensure a seamless transition that is imperceptible on screen. Schneider is renowned for its high-quality coatings that minimize reflections, flare, and color cast, ensuring the filter performs its function without degrading image sharpness or introducing unwanted color shifts. This type of filter is an essential tool in a cinematographer's kit for managing high-contrast outdoor scenes and achieving exposure control that supports the visual narrative.

The value of this filter lies in its ability to provide subtle, in-camera exposure control that is difficult or impossible to replicate convincingly in post-production. It allows filmmakers to capture a more balanced image directly on set, preserving highlight detail and optimizing the dynamic range of the camera sensor. For directors of photography, using a soft-edge ND gradient like the Schneider ND .3 is a classic technique for enhancing the natural look of a scene, contributing to the overall production value and artistic quality of the footage. It represents an investment in optical quality and creative control that is fundamental to professional filmmaking.

Key Features

  • Graduated Neutral Density: Features a 0.3 (1-stop) neutral density on one half, transitioning to clear on the other.
  • Soft Edge Transition: The transition between the clear and dense areas is soft-edged, making it suitable for use with wide-angle and normal focal length lenses without a visible transition line.
  • Diffusion Effect: Includes a subtle "1/4" diffusion grade to gently soften highlights and skin blemishes while preserving overall sharpness.
  • Optical Quality: Crafted from crystal-clear water-white optical glass for high clarity, contrast, and true color balance.
  • Durable Construction: Protected against edge-chipping and delamination by Schneider's unique Edge Seal technology.
  • Standard Size: Measures 4 x 5.65" (101.6 x 143.5 mm) and is 4mm thick, designed for compatibility with standard professional matte boxes.
  • Application: Ideal for controlling contrast in challenging lighting situations, such as balancing bright skies with darker foregrounds in landscape photography and cinematography.

Schneider ND .3 Soft Edge 1/4 Glass Filter (4x5.65") Specs

Filter Core
Type
Neutral Density Soft Edge Graduated Filter
Density
ND 0.3 (1-stop reduction)
Gradient
Soft Edge, 1/4 Transition
Physical & Mounting
Size
4 x 5.65 inches (Standard "4x6" filter size)
Mount
Fits standard 4x5.65 matte box filter trays
Material
Optical Glass with Multi-Coating
Optical Performance
Function
Balances exposure between bright and dark areas
Color Neutrality
High (minimal color cast)
Quality
Schneider B+W or similar premium grade
Application
Primary Use
Cinematography, High-End Video Production
Typical Scene
Landscapes with bright sky & darker foreground
Creative Control
Allows for wider aperture in bright light
Use Note
Orientation
Must be positioned correctly in matte box (dense area over bright zone)
Part of Kit
Often used with other ND grad filters.

Key Features

  • Graduated Neutral Density: Features a 0.3 (1-stop) neutral density on one half, transitioning to clear on the other.
  • Soft Edge Transition: The transition between the clear and dense areas is soft-edged, making it suitable for use with wide-angle and normal focal length lenses without a visible transition line.
  • Diffusion Effect: Includes a subtle "1/4" diffusion grade to gently soften highlights and skin blemishes while preserving overall sharpness.
  • Optical Quality: Crafted from crystal-clear water-white optical glass for high clarity, contrast, and true color balance.
  • Durable Construction: Protected against edge-chipping and delamination by Schneider's unique Edge Seal technology.
  • Standard Size: Measures 4 x 5.65" (101.6 x 143.5 mm) and is 4mm thick, designed for compatibility with standard professional matte boxes.
  • Application: Ideal for controlling contrast in challenging lighting situations, such as balancing bright skies with darker foregrounds in landscape photography and cinematography.
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