SonyDoug

Looking at Youtube I see ideas for DIY filters. The one I've tried is a center spot type, basically just heavy paper with about a 3/8" hole. Worked fine.

The paper filter is kind of a pain to use so I decided to make a more permanent plastic one that'll screw into a 52 mm adapter ring. (I own a business with all the machinery to make these type items).

Anybody have ideas for DIY filters they'd care to share?

BTW: first post here, thanks for reading.

Quixdraw Loc: x

People used all sorts of things in film days - pieces of window screen, nylon stocking stretched over the lens, various kinds of fiberglass & plastic, colored celophane (flat or crumpled). Clear filters would be selectively wiped with Vaseline for particular effects. More, I'm sure I've forgotten.

Terrymac Loc: LONDON U.K.

Hi Doug, welcome to the forum.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Shooting through a plastic bag can be fun

Charles 46277 Loc: Fulton County, KY

I remember a guy who took a bit of sandpaper and actually scuffed the lens itself with it. It was for large format, and I am sure he did it with a damaged lens.

sloscheider Loc: Minnesota

Agreed, Also plastic and glass bottles

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Old image softening trick is to use Vasoline on a UV filter.

Disclaimer, I am not paid by the Vasoline company nor endorse it as being the only petroleum jelly. Their name has been genericized just as Kleenex is any tissue to wipe one's nose!!

Discussed with examples:
https://www.discoverdigitalphotography.com/2014/how-to-achieve-a-soft-focus-dreamy-look/

Julian Loc: Sarasota, FL

I use the plastic from a bacon package with a star cut out of the center. Great diffuser.

Gspeed Loc: Rhinebeck, NY

Noooooooooooo!

lsaguy Loc: Udall, KS, USA

I know someone who once used sandpaper to clean his windshield of ice! Nope, not me, step-kid's dad. Moron could come up with an excuse for almost everything except this.

Rick

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

I have several homemade filters for portraiture.

One type is simply a pair or empty filter frames screwed together with a black mesh trapped in-between. I have two of those... one with a finer black mesh and another with a coarser mesh... that give different strength effect in images. For the one, if you search for "fine mesh" fabric you'll find similar in various colors... it's like a very fine net. The coarser is more of a "fish net" stocking type of fabric. If you search for "fish net stockings", you'll find them easily.

Another serves similar purpose, but is a "black splatter" on a plain glass (probably a UV or Sky) filter. That was just enamel paint "spritzed" onto the filter from a brush. Small droplets... randomly placed.

Both these filters reduce fine detail and make for smoother skin in portraits (guys don't care... but the ladies often do!). I use them on short telephotos (85mm to 135mm on full frame or 50mm to 85mm on APS-C). Mounted close to the front element and using larger apertures, the filter itself isn't visible in images.

I don't have, but have seen both these done with flesh tones or with white instead of black fabric or paint. Any color will will add some "tint" to the image... black doesn't.

14kphotog Loc: Marietta, Ohio

I have used clear cling wrap in 1 or 2 layers to make soft focus filter, also sandwich bag, both worked very well. stretch over end of lens, hold with rubber band around lens.

Randyfrieder Loc: Long Island, New York

Hi, back in the 70’s, (yeah, I’m old), we would take a clear, skylight or UV filter and paint clear nail polish in a pattern radiating from the center, but leaving the center area clear. We would build up multiple coats, with texture, to control diffraction. We made different versions, to allow for shooting one subject or two. We would also sometimes use subtly colored polished to add a little visual interest. And, if we so desired, we could shape the center clear area, like a heart shape, oval, round, etc
Unlike using Vaseline, the nail polish didn’t make a mess, and as mentioned, you could pre-make multiple filters in advance, ready to grab and shoot.
We had to use very pricey hasselblad filters back then for our cameras. It was very painful to purchase a hassy filter or two, and then paint nail polish on them!
Many a bar or bar mitzvah teen was subjected to this photo style, back then.
The double filters were reserved for brides and grooms.
Since this was obviously back in the film days, sometimes, after the film was processed, we were pleasantly surprised by the results and sometimes not so much, such was the way before digital.
Ah, the good old days... just kidding, I love my D850!! And of course, I don’t miss all the chemicals and time required to process and print our images, back then, so much easier to click “print” on the computer!!!
Btw: We also used lace or very thin stocking material for visual interest.