Hitech Filters: The Best Match for Your Lenses

Hitech's state-of-the-art optical resin lets you maximize your lenses' capabilities.

The best glass money can buy can't undo the damage caused by a bad filter. That's why the Hitech filter system is now part of the Visual Departures group of innovative products. Made of pure optical resin, Hitech filters are manufactured to more exacting standards than any other photographic filter. Compare filter types, and you'll find that Hitech's filters are a great match for your fine lenses. And they're part of a complete system, including a full range of color correction, black-and-white, neutral density, graduated, and special effects filters, not to mention the best-made filter holder we've ever seen.

Sturdy, scratch-resistant optical resin base
Dyed-through for superior optical performance
Available in 4×4" (100mm) and Cokin-P (85mm) sizes
Anodized-aluminum holder lasts for years
View samples of different Hitech filters in our gallery

Quality Through and Through

Unlike most other products, Hitech filters are dyed-through rather than surface-dyed or glass-sandwiched, for enhanced optical performance and durability. The optical resin base is far sturdier than glass or gelatin filters, making it easy and safe to clean. Furthermore, the surface is flatter than polished glass filters and more scratch-resistant than gels. Contrast this with surfaced-dyed products, where one scratch can remove that top layer of color, leaving you with a clear streak in your (now useless) gelatin.

Hitech's quality extends to the precision anodized-aluminum holder. The Hitech filter holder can withstand years of hard use and comes in designs for wide-angle and normal/telephoto lenses; spring-loaded slots allow easy and secure insertion, positioning, and removal. Holders come in two sizes — wide-angle and normal — with a variety of slots and threaded front rings.

Want to see real-world results? Check out the Hitech group on Flickr.

Options for Every Photographic Need

All Hitech filters come in 100mm (4×4 inch) and 85mm (Cokin P-compatible) sizes. Hitech filters are available in a greater range of types than gelatin or glass; we carry the complete range of CC, CTC, ND, black-and-white, and special effects types.

Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between Hitech and Optiflex?
Hitech and Optiflex are both made from the same dyed-through Optical Resin substrate. The only difference is their thickness: Hitech is a rigid filter 1.5mm in thickness, while Optiflex is a flexible filter being only 0.3mm in thickness. Because of this difference, graduated and special effects filters are not available in the Optiflex line.

What do two-color grads look like?
We're so glad you asked. Have a look at our extensive Hitech graduated filter gallery.

Which Hitech filter holder is right for me?
This depends largely on your chosen format and focal length. Most 35mm (and some medium-format) shooters prefer the smaller size of the 85mm Cokin-P compatible filters. Medium and large format work is best suited for 100mm (4×4) filters. The HT1002 holder has 3-slots and a front ring and is an excellent holder for general all-around use. If you use long zoom or wide angle lenses, we suggest looking at the HT1004. This holder has 2 slots, but no ring. When used in conjunction with a wide-angle adapter, this holder will bring your filters extremely close to the front element of your lens, thereby eliminating the possibility of vignetting. If you are worried about vignetting, but need to use a front ring, we suggest looking at the HT1005, which has a front ring, but only one filter slot. It is also possible to use a standard holder with a wide-angle adapter, and often (depending on the lens and film-format) this combination is enough to avoid vignetting.

How do I clean these filters?
Hitech and Optiflex clean nicely with either a lens cleaning cloth, or a filter and lens cleaning solution.

Can Optiflex fit into Hitech holders?
Technically, yes, the 4×4 Optiflex filters will fit into the 100mm Hitech holder. However, because of the difference in thickness, there is the possibility that the Optiflex filter could slip out of the holder, or may not be held perfectly flat. That being said, there are many photographers who will place 4×4 Optiflex into a Hitech 100mm Holder, if they are conducting tests, trying different filtration, or are just in a bind!

Visual Departures