The Tiffen 86mm Coarse Thread Ultra Contrast 4 Filter can be applied to purposely reduce contrast while photographing an image or while recording video. By distributing ambient illumination to darker areas within a scene, this filter is useful in helping to uniformly balance the tonal range among highlights and shadows. Detail is increased within shadow regions while flare and halation around highlights is purposely limited.

This filter has a grade of 4. Grades of 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2, 3, and 5 are also available where this filter type's effect becomes approximately twice as strong with each grade number increase.

This filter is made using ColorCore technology, a process that involves laminating the filter substrate between 2 pieces of optical glass and grinding flat to a tolerance of 1/10,000th of an inch.

Useful for Uniform Contrast Reduction    Helps Balance Highlights and Shadows    Increases Illumination in Shadows    Increases Detail in Shadows    Limits Flare and Halation in Highlights    ColorCore Technology    86mm Front Filter Threads    Coarse Front and Rear Threads    Padded Pouch

• Reduces contrast for photography or while recording video
• Distributes ambient illumination to shadows within a scene
• Helps to uniformly balance the tonal range among highlights and shadows
• Increases shadow detail while limiting flare and halation around highlights
• 86mm front filter threads for coarse rear threads allow for use with other filters
• Padded pouch included for storage and transport

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Does anyone know of a lens hood that can be used without Vignetting?? I know it is just an option. But would like to see if I could find one that would work. Any ideas would be appreciated..

A: Hello Connie, we do not have a lens hood for this camera model.

Q: 2. Can you pull focus with the AX53 in 4K?

A: I don't now about in 4K (others mentioned about it), but in regular HD you can. There are two ways. The simple way is by tapping on a subject on the touchscreen; it will focus on that object. So if you are focused close by, and tap on something further from you, you will see it change. Obviously It will make a difference regarding the distance you are from the two subjects, and the difference between them themselves, to notice the change (such as if you want to do this on purpose for fancy effect, like in professional videos). Another way is manually with the manual ring (press and hold 'manual' on the left side, then use ring around lens to move selector, then use button to enter. You can press the button again to go back to auto. I find you have to turn the ring a lot; I would suggest they make it change focus with less turning. You use the ring basically when the camera doesn't understand what you want - such as when you want to focus on something outside from a window with raindrops on it. Similarly with exposure such as when a light or bright window is behind subject, and you want to make subject brighter. It will wash out window, but you will see subject clearly.)

Q: 3. Would this be a good livestream camera?

A: I don't believe it has a video out for live 4k so probably not a solution for that.

Q: 4. What is the native ISO for the camera?

A: Sorry, the Sony user manual does not specify it

Q: 5. Does this have a date & Time Stamp?

A: You probably mean if it "prints" the date and time on pictures. It does not do that, but of course, every video and picture file has the date and time saved with it.

Q: 6. To do interviews I'd like to use a wireless lavalier mic. Can one be used with this camera, and, if so, does anyone have recommendations? Thanks!

A: Yes a wireless lav with 3.5mm mic input will work with the Sony FDR AX53 as it accepts external microphones. I would recommend looking into the following. Rode Wireless GO II Single 1-Person Compact Digital Wireless Omni Lavalier Microphone System/Recorder Kit (2.4 GHz, Black) B&H # ROWGIISWMK.

Q: 7. I'm looking to do professional interviews, burning to cd's, will this camera do the trick?

A: If you mean audio CDs, you can record video and then extract the audio in an editor program. It records good audio, but if you're doing interviews, you should certainly get an external mic which will be up close to the speaker, such as Deity Microphones V.Lav Omnidirectional Lavalier Microphone with Microprocessor BH #DEVLAV If you're talking about video DVDs, it records very good video.

Q: 8. What are the major differences between this model and the Sony FDR AX-100? I am trying to decide between the two. Thank you

A: To add a few points: The AX-100 is heavier, and I believe the optical image stabilizer is better on the AX53. So if you plan to move around with it a lot, it's something to consider. If you're using it mostly on a tripod, the AX-100 may be better. The AX-100 is also slightly more professional in terms of the menu etc; you may find the AX53 slightly easier to use, especially if yo'r used to it from a previous model.

Q: 9. Can I use the Sennheiser MKE 440 Stereo Shotgun Mic with the Sony FDR-AX53 4K Handycam Camcorder?

A: These products are compatible. But the microphone will not mount onto the camera. You will need a bracket:Vello CB-510 Dual Shoe Bracket with Silicon Rubber Grip - B&H # VECB510

Q: 10. Does anyone know if this camera has flash bands aka rolling shutter when recording lightning? The flash bands are all I'm worried about.

A: I have recently used this camera to record an extended thunderstorm over Singapore and it captured numerous lightning strikes without any problem. There were some frames effected by the flashbanding; however, there were always some good frames along with the corrupted ones, so I got good results even if I might want to delete a few frames during the editing.