Swedish firm LC-Tec focuses on liquid-crystal optical applied sciences, together with optical shutters and variable impartial density filters. Its newest innovation is the world’s first — an Digital Variable Diffusion (EVD) filter system for cinema lenses. Showcased on the ongoing IBC Expo in Amsterdam, LC-Tec’s EVD is designed to be mounted in a matte field and affords user-controlled, constantly variable diffusion. The present EVD prototype includes a 4 x 5.65-inch glass filter and a small related controller field. Throughout taking pictures, the cinematographer can easily fluctuate diffusion energy for the specified inventive impact. From left to proper: zero volts, three volts, and 5 volts. “Cinematographers may also have the ability to fluctuate the diffusion energy throughout a shot for inventive impact, one thing that was virtually inconceivable till now with trendy cinema gear,” LC-Tec explains. “It is going to additionally theoretically be attainable to regulate the diffusion depth as focal lengths are modified while zooming. There’s additionally the chance for distant operation the place diffusion might be adjusted whereas the digital camera is in a hard-to-access location like on a jib or crane.” Exact adjustments in voltage management the diffusion impact by dynamically altering the bodily properties of the filter. For instance, with a five-volt cost utilized to the filter, the diffusion impact is way stronger than with a three-volt cost. This alone is a breakthrough innovation in diffusion know-how, which has to this point been restricted to static diffusion quantities by means of a typical filter. Nevertheless, LC-Tec says the EVD goes past that. It’s attainable for digital diffusion to be utilized at completely different strengths to localized components of the filter.
Zero-volt cost utilized 2.5-volt cost utilized Three-volt cost utilized 4-volt cost utilized 5-volt cost utilized “For instance this localised diffusion may very well be used to bloom gentle sources with out affecting the pores and skin element or topic,” LC-Tec explains, “or conversely to melt pores and skin element white retaining the general traits of the remainder of the body.” The corporate says that conventional diffusion filters have required loads of guesswork from cinematographers, as completely different lenses, T-stops, scenes, topics, and lighting circumstances all affect how a diffusion filter impacts the look of the shot. The identical filter could bloom a lightweight supply in a different way on one lens than one other or have an effect on world distinction to various extents. If a cinematographer can regulate the energy of the filter on the fly with out altering filters, it’s a complete sport changer.
LC-Tec is not any stranger to utilizing voltage to regulate the depth of a filter impact, as the corporate has lengthy manufactured electronically variable ND filters. The corporate’s PolarView-eND is utilized in quite a few cinema cameras available on the market. LC-Tec is taking an identical method with its new EVD, which shall be out there to third-party producers in Q2 2025. The exact kind issue will rely on a producer’s specs. For these attending IBC, LC-Tec is exhibiting its new EVD know-how at sales space 12.A42. Picture credit: LC-Tec
