{"id":68803,"date":"2020-05-08T06:00:11","date_gmt":"2020-05-08T11:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/?p=68803"},"modified":"2020-05-08T08:15:55","modified_gmt":"2020-05-08T13:15:55","slug":"secrets-of-the-split-field-diopter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/secrets-of-the-split-field-diopter\/","title":{"rendered":"Splitting Focus: Secrets of the Split-Field Diopter"},"content":{"rendered":"

The split-field diopter is a practical lens attachment that can add an unusual and visually exciting effect to your movie. Here’s what you need to know.<\/h2>\n

Focus is a key part of the filmmaking language. Focus tells the audience what\u2019s important on screen and what deserves our attention. The ability to manipulate focus offers unique ways to present an image. Enter the split-field diopter.<\/p>\n

What is split-field diopter?<\/h3>\n

\"Split-field<\/p>\n

Split-Field Diopter via Hoya<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

A split-field diopter<\/a> is a partial lens that you attach to the front of your camera’s lens. It\u2019s a partial lens because it only has glass covering half of the lens space. Essentially, it’s a filter that will directly alter the focus within your shot.<\/p>\n

The explanation of how it does this is in the name of the tool itself \u2014 split-field \u2014 meaning it breaks your shot into two thanks to the diopter, a curved mirror or glass. The filter can be rotated in place to achieve the desired effect on your framing, subjects, and scenery. The filter is available in different strengths and sizes to adhere to the lens, as well as sized to fit a filter holder or onto a rail system.<\/p>\n

What does it do?<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

You may have seen the split-field diopter in use recently without even realizing it. I\u2019ve seen the tool pop up in a lot of new films and TV episodes, and it was used heavily in HBO’s Watchmen<\/a>. <\/em>Here’s what it does.<\/p>\n

The split-field diopter<\/strong> lets you to focus on a subject (or object) positioned close to the camera on one side of the frame while also focusing on a more distant subject positioned on the other side of the frame. It allows a shot to have two planes of focus rather than one, making the foreground (captured through the diopter) and background (captured through the uncovered half of your camera’s lens) both appear equally clear.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When is it used?<\/h3>\n