Breakthrough Photography 100mm X4 GND 3-Stop Soft Filter

SKU: 650229348607   

$189

Out of Stock

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  • Introducing the World's Sharpest Graduated Neutral Density. 100% Guaranteed.


    Breakthrough Photography took their industry leading X4 ND filter and applied the same proven technology to the graduated neutral density filter, manufactured it with tempered SCHOTT B270® optical glass made in Germany, and the result is the X4 GND – the world’s sharpest and most color neutral GND, guaranteed.

    • Nanotec® Coating repels dirt, water and other elements
    • Tempered Schott B270 Ultrawhite Optical Glass with MRC16 (multi resistant 16-layer coating)
    • Brass construction
    • Made in the USA with German Glass
    • Graduated Light Loss Factor: 3-Stop
    • Includes protective diamond case with unique color code to distinguish filter.

    **Please note: This filter requires the Breakthrough Photography X100 Filter Holder and appropriately-sized adapter ring for use. Filter holder and adapter ring not included.**
  • What is a GND? 

    GND is short for Graduated Neutral Density filter, which is a rectangular filter which increases the dynamic range of your camera. Shooting a sunset with a GND filter transforms a photograph from having blown out highlights to one with incredible dynamic range, and it does this in-camera, without the need for Photoshop, stacking multiple frames or HDR. 

    Expand your dynamic range in-camera.

    Outdoor photographers frequently struggle with dynamic range, as the human eye has a dynamic range over 20-stops, while a mid-day outdoor scene may range between 15-18 stops. Professional camera systems range between 12-14 stops, and during the last decade very little expansion progress has been made to increase dynamic range closer to what the human eye sees.

    If a sunset scene has a total of 17-stops between the sky and the foreground and the camera has 13-stops of in-camera dynamic range, a 2-stop soft GND and 3-stop hard reverse GND would cover that exposure gap (12 + 2 + 3 = 17) range is usually 15+ stops, which is currently too far beyond the capability of modern sensors. Another way to think about it is that a GND filter expands in-camera dynamic range by decreasing highlight zones, similar to how the Zone System by Ansel Adams works in the darkroom. A post-processing technique such as HDR could be used to give the impression of expanded dynamic range, but you can lose the long exposure component that is often times so central in the best sunset scenes. 


    Incredible Durability

    The X4 GND is the world's first GND to use tempered glass, the result is the most durable GND on the market. By using SCHOTT B270 optical glass, the X4 GND resolves critically sharp.  

    Another benefit is that the optical surface does not degrade over time or with exposure with corrosive elements such as salt water and sand, common conditions for outdoor photographers. The X4 GNDs impressive structural hardness also prevents warping, a common issue that develops over time with traditional resin filters, especially when not stored flat. Slightly warped GNDs can add slight distortion noticeable on wide-angle full-frame setup. 


    State-of-the-art Coatings

    Traditional CR-39 resin had exceptional sharpness performance if the surface was in mint condition, however CR-39 proved to be a poor material for accepting coatings. Each X4 GND has state-of-the-art MRC16 and nanotec coating technology applied to both sides of the optical surface. This reduces surface reflection and nano coatings make handling and cleaning the surface of the glass easy. The nanotec coatings also let the X4 GND glide smoothly in the holder. The edges of each X4 GND are then milled down smooth, and an outer-layer of protective coating is applied along the edge of the glass.
  • 25-Year Ironclad Guarantee

    Breakthrough Photography stands behind every filter they make with their 25 Year Ironclad Guarantee. Every filter has a unique serial number laser engraved onto the interior frame. When you activate your 25 Year Ironclad Guarantee, this serial number is assigned to you. Visit https://breakthrough.photography/pages/activate to activate your filter warranty.

    After activation, and in the event you ever need to contact Breakthrough Photography for support, you don't need your purchase information or receipt ever again. This also allows Breakthrough Photography to confirm non-genuine copies, and any feedback or insight you provide goes directly into future products.

     



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