The 3 x 3" Ultra Contrast 3 Filter from Tiffen helps to open your shadows by using the ambient light surrounding the image area as well as the light in the actual image itself. It lowers contrast uniformly throughout, with little or no loss of sharpness within the scene, even where there are varying degrees of brightness.

Shadow areas will reveal more detail but without any flare or halation from direct light sources or bright reflections. The Ultra Contrast works similar to a Tiffen Low Contrast filter with the difference being that it reduces contrast throughout the entire image whereas a Low Contrast filter will only open the shadows.

The #3 Ultra Contrast filter is a grade stronger then a #2. By now, shadow detail is readily apparent. Contrast continues to be evenly lowered throughout the image. As with the other grades of this filter, no highlight flare is produced.

Tiffen's ColorCore glass is produced through a process that entails permanently laminating the filter material in between two pieces of optical glass that are ground flat to tolerances of a ten-thousandth of an inch, then mounting them in precision aluminum rings.

Uses Ambient Light to Open Shadows    Lightens Shadows to Capture More Detail    Lowers Contrast Evenly Throughout    Generates No Flare or Halation    ColorCore Glass    Made in the USA    10-Year Warranty

Bright lights or sunlight create problems when the ratio between the highlight and shadow areas is beyond the latitude of the film; if you expose for the highlights, the shadows appear without detail; if you expose for the shadows, the result is washed-out, overly bright highlights

Contrast reduction is achieved by lightening shadows without overexposing or darkening or by darkening highlights without darkening shadows further

Even direct shooting into the sun produces no flare or halation

Tiffen's ColorCore glass is sealed between two optical glass sheets. In this way, Tiffen can better control the various densities of their filters and thereby create more exact degrees of filtration. This process makes for greater accuracy of color as opposed to glass that is simply dyed and become subject to deviation during the dye process

Tiffen, a leader in the filter industry, proudly makes its filters in the USA and backs up its products with a solid 10-year warranty

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Hi I have read some reviews on this camcorder shutting off while using, I want to purchase a camcorder that I will not have to replace in a year or two. Do you know of any issue with this camcorder if this is not the best pro-consumer camcorder can you recommend a different one?

A: I don't know of any issues, but Panasonic gave me a 3 year extended warranty at no extra cost.

Q: 2. Does this camcorder have a time/date stamp on the screen like the older camcorders?

A: The Panasonic HC-VX870K 4K Ultra HD Camcorder does not record an internal timestamp. The Panasonic HC-X1500 UHD 4K HDMI Pro Camcorder with 24x Zoom (BH #PAHCX1500) would be a good camcorder to consider instead, as this camera can record the internal timestamp.

Q: 3. Can you switch between the two angles within the camera or is it only picture in picture?

A: Hello! No, it is not possible to switch betwen the two angles within the camera. -C

Q: 4. is this camera WebEx compatible?

A: no

Q: 5. Could I connect 3 or 4 cameras to a blackmagic atem switcher for live multi-camera streaming?

A: Yes, just as long as it is an ATEM with HDMI inputs. This camera has a CLEAN HDMI output.

Q: 6. Does the live HDMI video feed also send audio in bypass mode or while recording? Some camcorders only treat the HDMI as a video monitor so there is no sound except on playback mode.

A: From what we understand looking at Panasonic's information, if you set the camcorder to Recording, live audio is indeed sent to the monitor. They warn of squealing audio feed back in that situation. So be aware of this when recording.

Q: 7. Can you control 3 of these camcorders with the phone app?

A: No

Q: 8. Can the 4k mp4 data files on the SD card be viewed directly on a Sony X85B 4k TV via USB? Can the files be edited using Sony Movie Studio Platinum? How does the rolling shutter performance compare to the Sony AX100?

A: Yes

Q: 9. multimedia recording time have pause motion function

A: Press the recording start/stop button again to pause recording.

Q: 10. can you connect this camera to a smart phone to use as a remote without wifi, like a animal viewing blind in an African park ?

A: Yes, the Panasonic HC-VX870K 4K Ultra HD Camcorder can connect directly to a smartphone and provide remote access and remote viewing.