Tokina Cinema Hydrophilic filters for broadcast and cinema use. Tokina
Cinema Hydrophilic filters have a coating layer that does not allow
water to bead up like traditional filter coatings. If water cannot bead
it simply flows evenly off the filter surface making for clear viewing
and recording even in a steady rain.
Water-drops on glass are
formed by surface tension and adhesion. Once the weight of the water is
sufficient to overcome the strength of these two forces the water beings
to flow. This can be seen every time water drops first “stick to” and
then cascade down a window when it rains.
The Tokina Cinema
Hydrophilic coating does not allow surface adhesion so water drops
cannot form. The coating Tokina Cinema Hydrophilic filters permanent and
does not ever need to be reapplied, unlike over-the counter products
that make a similar claim. The filter coating is “recharged” by UV light
making it ideal for stationary weather cameras or other cameras that
are being exposed to sunlight for several hours a day.*
Tokina Cinema Hydrophilic filters come in standard broadcast sizes from 77MM to 127MM as well as square and rectangular.
When water from rain or spray hits normal filter glass it beads up in
droplets that degrade image quality. The Tokina Cinema Hydrophilic
filters have an exclusive specialized coating to ensure that when water
hits the filter, it spreads into a film over the glass instead of
forming droplets. This helps to maintain a clearer view under a variety
of weather conditions.
Through a special treatment of the hydrophilic surface, this filter is also extraordinarily durable.
Some more interesting and exciting developments out of IBC 2013 -- Tokina
showcased their water dispersion filter that will keep you from
cringing when you see those dark clouds coming to rain on your parade
(or set.) Tokina has done something with their filter that has not yet
been done -- used a special hydrophilic coating instead of, say, a
vibrating mechanism to keep water from accumulating, keeping lenses dry.
Read on to get the details from a
video by News Shooter.
Tokina partnered with NHK, a Japanese company that has been on the cutting edge of many developments in broadcasting, like their multi-viewpoint bullet time camera setup to
produce the waterproof coating that works like similar coating on car
windows and other glass, so as to not allow water to bead or gather
forming droplets.
Though its intended use is by broadcasting professionals, this kind
of lens would be so incredibly useful for not only that, but documentary
filmmakers -- even narrative filmmakers shooting on location in a rainy
area, like, I don't know, the Pacific Northwest -- a place where
spotting tourists is as easy as spotting their umbrella.
