The Tiffen The Soft/FX series is a unique diffusion filter that is specifically designed to give the most pleasing of portraits. This filter has a pattern of tiny lenslets designed specifically to put fine image elements, like wrinkles and skin blemishes, out of focus while leaving larger details such as the eyes, sharp. Lighter densities are very subtle, producing virtually no flare from highlights or reduction in contrast. The higher densities work harder to minimize facial imperfections and provide a more pleasing portrait. This filter is available in differing strengths, the higher the number, the more dramatic effect. Tiffen filters are manufactured using ColorCore technology, a closely guarded proprietary process that entails permanently laminating the filter material in between two pieces of optical glass that are ground flat to tolerances of a ten-thousandth of an inch, then mounting them in precision metal rings. The ColorCore process allows total control over the color and density of Tiffen filters, and the characteristics of special effects filters with much greater accuracy than typical dyed-in-the-mass filters.