The 6.6 x 6.6" 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. Can the camera turn on without the LCD being out, say if using the viewfinder?

A: The Sony FDR-AX53 4K Ultra HD Handycam Camcorder works with the screen stowed.

Q: 2. A comparison question about the AX53 compared to the older model AX33 and is it worth the $200 price difference for the average person who wants a high quality 4K camcorder. What are the new features and specs that make it hit the spot. The AX33 was top rated and is it reasonable to assume that Consumers will also rate this as highly?

A: It was definitely worth the price difference to me after I did some research. Here are some the key new/upgraded features to consider:- newer version of Emor R CMOS sensor- larger pixel size - wider angle and overall upgraded Zeiss lens - 20X optical zoom (compared to 10X on the AX-33- faster autofocus - upgraded five-directional microphone - actually lighter than the previous modelI bought the AX-33 but returned it for the 53 and I've been very happy with that decision. I used the camera extensively on a recent trip to Greece and it performed exceptionally well.My only minor gripe is that the LCD touchscreen can be difficult to see in bright sunlight.Best camcorder I've owned.

Q: 3. Does this camera come with a lens cover?

A: There is a rather delicate-looking metal multiblade shutter that closes when the camera goes off, but in addition I would get a transparent screw-on filter to protect this mechanism.

Q: 4. Does the external mic jack have power ability(For shotgun mic Rode Go II)?

A: Yes, the Sony FDR-AX53 4K Ultra HD Handycam Camcorder offers plug-in power for the 3.5mm microphone port for microphones needing power, like the RODE VideoMic GO II Ultracompact Analog/USB Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone.

Q: 5. 0 ANSWERSIs this MI shoe compatible with the SMAD-P3, so can use with UWP lapel system?

A: No it is not compatible with this camcorder:The SMAD-P3 is applicable to XDCAM Camcorder PXW-X70, PXW-X160, PXW-X180, PXW-X280, PXW-X200*, PXW-Z150, PXW-FS7, PXW-FS5 and PXW-FS5K, NXCAM Camcorder HXR-NX100, HXR-NX5R and HXR-MC2500, Handycam FDR-AX100 **, NEX-VG900** and NEX-VG30 **, interchangeable lens digital camera 7**, 7R **, 7S **, 7 Mark **, 7R Mark **, 7S Mark **, 99 **, 6000**, 6300 **, plus Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 **, DSC-RX10 Mark** and DSC-RX10 Mark** (as of September 2016). * PXW-X200 firmware should be upgraded to Ver.2.00 or later for using SMAD-P3. ** When used in conjunction with these specific camera models, operation of the power supply function and the power ON/OFF control function is not guaranteed. Insert new AA alkaline batteries in the receiver and set the receivers power select (POWER SEL) menu item to BATTERY mode. When the remaining battery indicator reaches one segment or less, insert new batteries immediately to avoid unexpected shutdown of the camera or data loss.

Q: 6. I want to buy a magnus VC-20-SCP zoom controller for a tripod and connect it to a FDR-AX53 camcorder, If i've read correctly that can be done using a LANC port on the camera, does this camera have that port? If it doesn't I understand that it can be connected using an AVR adapter, which method would i be able to use with this camera?

A: This is information about the new multiport on the Sony FDR-AX53. I would contact Sony Tech support to verify this information. I called them with a problem with my 4k recording issue and they were very helpful to resolve it.The 2014 camcorders from Sony still have the Multi-Port jack, however, Sony has made the VMC-AVM1 adapter cable incompatible with the 2014, 2015 and 2016 camcorders and they have changed the LANC interface to a non-standard format. So the only remote that will work with the 2014, 2015 and 2016 camcorders is the RM-VPR1 from Sony. This has a very short cable length.

Q: 7. Can the Sony FDR-AX53 be mounted onto a tripod? Also, can a Rode shotgun mic be mounted?

A: It has a tripod screw, and has a standard shoe size for attaching peripherals on top (mic, flash etc.). So if your foot is that size it will fit! :) (In older models, it was a mini size shoe; a bit inconvenient.) Sony has certain proprietary mics that make use of extra wires in the shoe, and so do not need to be plugged into the mic line in. (Such as the XLR-K3M Dual-Channel Digital XLR Audio Adapter Kit with Shotgun Microphone - BH #SOXLRK3M)

Q: 8. Great camera with the worst manual I have seen. I have been unable to figure out how to use high-speed recording. What do I do to engage? Thanks.

A: hello, please call us at 239-245-6356 for further help

Q: 9. I just received my AX53 last week and so far it seems fantastic. However, I cannot seem to get the touch screen spot focus to work. The documentation is sparse so I went back to the AX33 documentation and it's really not much better. Can someone tell me what I might be missing? This to me is a must feature. I'm not sure if I have something set incorrectly or if my camera might be defective. Thanks for any help

A: You may be in manual focus mode. Press the 'manual' button at the left, to see if it switches to auto.

Q: 10. Does the camera have Exposure lock?

A: You can manual set the exposure via the menu.