review : HOYA filter soft-spot

Canon EOS 80D and 24mm 2.8 lens

I'm back after few months without posting anything here. Such a shame! But I have to admit that my life is a little bit crazy (or messy) (depending of your point of view) this year. That's not the subject today because I want to talk about this filter ! My soft focus filter I bought few months ago in Edinburgh at a shop called Cameratiks (120 Morningside Road). I wanted so hard to get a filter like that and I'm so glad I found this one. I had to order it in the shop. I was quite desperate to find something like that online (wasn't really sure of the model I was looking for). I wanted something to get "blurry" image, with a dreamy effect... I've discovered this effect on the pictures of @ozette__ a photographer from LA that I love. 

How I found it

As I said, I found it in a shop in Edinburgh. I came into the shop and asked for a "soft focus filter". The guy told me it was possible to get one but I would have to order. So I did. I paid £10 (maybe it's too expensive but it was ok for me because I was looking for this for so long) and I waited like a week before having it. The guy also recommended me to use vaseline on a "non effect" filter. But I'm not very "DIY" when it comes to photography. Especially when it means using vaseline on my camera. I had a look on the internet but I didn't find a link to a shop to get it... So, from now, ask Google !

HOYA filter soft-spot

Actually, the filter comes with 2 "filters". One is blurry, the other one looks more like a water effect on the glass (as you can see on the picture below). I only tried one for now, because... I don't know ! Maybe I should have been more curious about it before writing this blog post. Maybe I'll do an update. 

Canon EOS 80D and 24mm 2.8 lens

I used it on my Canon AE1-Program with a 50mm 1.8 lens (the lens I always use). I truly didn't know what to expect and sometimes the result was not "great". But I made some amazing shots like this one with my friend Sabrina in Edinburgh. 

Canon AE1 Program 50mm 1.8 lens Kodak Portra 400 with Hoya Soft-Spot Filter

Canon AE1 Program 50mm 1.8 lens Kodak Portra 400 with Hoya Soft-Spot Filter

Canon AE1 Program 50mm 1.8 lens Kodak Portra 400 with Hoya Soft-Spot Filter

With and without the filter

I took 2 pictures. One with the filter and one without the filter. I used the same settings, it was the same day, the same moment on both of them. So that you can see the difference. I would say that the filter gives a little "blue-ish" aspect to my pictures in general, but it's ok. I really love the dreamy effect ! 

Canon AE1 Program 50mm 1.8 lens Kodak Ektar 100 with Hoya Soft-Spot Filter

Canon AE1 Program 50mm 1.8 lens Kodak Ektar 100 with Hoya Soft-Spot Filter

What I need to try now !

The other filter and I also want to try it with a black and white film. I think it could be amazing ! 

So do I recommend it ? YES if you're looking for that kind of stuff. YES if you want to create it IRL, not with photoshop or lightroom. I can understand that some people won't understand that I made my photos that way instead of just editing them... But you know me, I love to try stuff, and I love the fact that it's done that way, no u turn possible ! 

If you have any questions, please comment below ! If you enjoyed this blog post, please share it with your friends ! 

Keep shooting films and cheese !