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Diffusion Comparator

How to use

This tool will help you to select the best diffusion filters for your photography, film and tv shoots. To see diffusion filter comparisons side-by-side, use the drop-down menu at the top of each image to select the diffusion filter/s you want to compare.  

You can also watch the video to see the comparison of LEE diffusion filters.

Diffusion Filters Comparison

  • No Diffusion
    LEE Arri M8, No Diffusion - Arri M8 5600K, T11
    No Diffusion
  • No Diffusion
    LEE Arri T2, No Diffusion - Arri 12 3200K, T11
    No Diffusion
  • White Diffusion
    LEE 216, White Diffusion - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1
    A strong diffusion used for soft light effects.
  • Three Quarter White Diffusion
    LEE 416, Three Quarter White Diffusion - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.8
    A strong to medium diffusion used for soft light effects.
  • Half White Diffusion
    LEE 250, Half White Diffusion - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.6
    A medium diffusion used for soft light effects.
  • Three Eighth White Diffusion
    LEE 450, Three Eighth White Diffusion - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.3
    A medium/weak diffusion used for soft light effects.
  • Quarter White Diffusion
    LEE 251, Quarter White Diffusion - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.5
    A weak diffusion used for soft light effects.
  • Eighth White Diffusion
    LEE 252, Eighth White Diffusion - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.3
    A weak diffusion used for soft light effects.
  • Sixteenth White Diffusion
    LEE 452, Sixteenth White Diffusion - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.2
    A weak diffusion used for soft light effects.
  • LEELux
    LEE 400, LEELux - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1
    A dense white diffuser used for wide beam spreads, creates an even, soft field of light without shadows.
  • Brushed Silk
    LEE 228, Brushed Silk - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.3
    Directional soft lighting effect used for scattering light in one direction only.
  • Hollywood Frost
    LEE 255, Hollywood Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.3
    A light frost effect that softens edges.
  • Opal Frost
    LEE 410, Opal Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.5
    A weak diffusion used for softening spotlight beam edges without altering shape.
  • Light Opal Frost
    LEE 420, Light Opal Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.2
    A weak diffusion similar to Opal Frost, but less diffuse.
  • Eighth Hampshire Frost
    LEE 258, Eighth Hampshire Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.2
    Extra light frost effect.
  • Quarter Hampshire Frost
    LEE 257, Quarter Hampshire Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.2
    Extra light frost effect.
  • Half Hampshire Frost
    LEE 256, Half Hampshire Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.2
    Extra light frost effect.
  • Hampshire Frost
    LEE 253, Hampshire Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.2
    A light frost effect.
  • New Hampshire Frost
    LEE 254, New Hampshire Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.1
    Used to soften the edges of spotlight beams, and to reduce the blue fringe. Flame retardant.
  • Durham Frost
    LEE 750, Durham Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.2
    A frost that almost completely softens shutter edges and removes hot spots.
  • Heavy Frost
    LEE 129, Heavy Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1
    A strong diffusion that eliminates nearly all shadows. Flame retardant.
  • White Frost
    LEE 220, White Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1
    Used for soft light effects. Flame retardant.
  • Heavy Quiet Frost
    LEE 439, Heavy Quiet Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1
    A strong diffuser (pliable to handle) that virtually eliminates shadows at close distance.
  • Soft Frost
    LEE 402, Soft Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1
    A strong diffuser that creates a wide field of soft illumination. Diffusion characteristics similar to 216, falls between 216 and 129.
  • Quiet Frost
    LEE 429, Quiet Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1
    A strong diffuser that creates a wide field of soft illumination but is thicker than the 402 Soft Frost. Similar to the 416.
  • Half Soft Frost
    LEE 404, Half Soft Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.2
    A useful diffuser without too much light loss but very pliable to handle. Diffusion characteristics fall between 251 and 252.
  • Highlight
    LEE 414, Highlight - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.2
    A useful diffuser without too much light loss. Diffusion characteristics similar to 252.
  • Grid Cloth
    LEE 430, Grid Cloth - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1.2
    A waterproof textile, ideal for attaching to large frames. Produces a strong diffusion effect.
  • Light Grid Cloth
    LEE 432, Light Grid Cloth - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.8
    A waterproof textile, ideal for attaching to large frames. Produces a medium diffusion effect.
  • Quarter Grid Cloth
    LEE 434, Quarter Grid Cloth - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.4
    A waterproof textile, ideal for attaching to large frames. Produces a weak diffusion effect.
  • Quiet Grid Cloth
    LEE 460, Quiet Grid Cloth - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1.3
    A waterproof textile, quiet when used in windy conditions. Produces a strong diffusion effect.
  • Quiet Light Grid Cloth
    LEE 462, Quiet Light Grid Cloth - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1
    A waterproof textile, quiet when used in windy conditions. Produces a medium diffusion effect.
  • Quiet Quarter Grid Cloth
    LEE 464, Quiet Quarter Grid Cloth - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.5
    A waterproof textile, quiet when used in windy conditions. Produces a weak diffusion effect.
  • Quarter Tough Spun
    LEE 229, Quarter Tough Spun - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.6
    Softens light and reduces intensity.
  • Tough Spun FR - 3/8
    LEE 264, Tough Spun FR - 3/8 - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.5
    A non-yellowing tough spun. Medium diffusion effect which softens shadows. Flame retardant.
  • Tough Spun FR - 1/8
    LEE 265, Tough Spun FR - 1/8 - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.4
    A non-yellowing tough spun. Weak diffusion effect which softens shadows. Flame retardant.
  • Perforated Highlight
    LEE 414p, Perforated Highlight - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.1
    A combination of both direct and soft diffused light. Flame retardant.
  • Perforated Heavy Quiet Frost
    LEE 439p, Perforated Heavy Quiet Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.7
    A combination of both direct and strongly diffused light. Flame retardant.
  • Blue Frost
    LEE 221, Blue Frost - Arri 12 3200K, T-Stop -1
    Used for soft light effects with the addition of 218(1/8 CTB). Flame retardant.
  • Durham Daylight Frost
    LEE 720, Durham Daylight Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1.7
    Smooths PAR or flood washes of large areas. (Full CTB)
  • Shanklin Frost
    LEE 717, Shanklin Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1.6
    201 with frost to soften the beam of profiles. (Full CTB)
  • Half Shanklin Frost
    LEE 718 (M8), Half Shanklin Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1
    202 with frost to soften the beam of profiles. (1/2 CTB)
  • Half Shanklin Frost
    LEE 718 (T2), Half Shanklin Frost - Arri 12 3200K, T-Stop -1
    202 with frost to soften the beam of profiles. (1/2 CTB)
  • Blue Diffusion
    LEE 217, Blue Diffusion - Arri 12 3200K, T-Stop -1.5
    As White Diffusion but with the addition of 1/8 CTB.
  • Daylight Blue Frost
    LEE 224, Daylight Blue Frost - Arri 12 5600K, T-Stop -2.4
    Used for soft light effects with the addition of 201 Full CTB.
  • Neutral Density Frost
    LEE 225, Neutral Density Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1.5
    Used for soft light effects with the addition of 0.6 Neutral Density.
  • Lily Frost
    LEE 705 (M8), Lily Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1.6
    Smoothes PAR or flood washes of large areas.
  • Lily Frost
    LEE 705 (T2), Lily Frost - Arri 12 3200K, T-Stop -1.7
    Smoothes PAR or flood washes of large areas.
  • Moroccan Frost
    LEE 791 (M8), Moroccan Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1
    Smoothes PAR or flood washes of large areas.
  • Moroccan Frost
    LEE 791 (T2), Moroccan Frost - Arri 12 3200K, T-Stop -0.9
    Smoothes PAR or flood washes of large areas.
  • Hampshire Rose
    LEE 749 (M8), Hampshire Rose - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.6
    Combines flesh tone warmer 154 with some Hampshire frost.
  • Hampshire Rose
    LEE 749 (T2), Hampshire Rose - Arri 12 3200K, T-Stop -0.6
    Combines flesh tone warmer 154 with some Hampshire frost.
  • Soft Amber Key 1
    LEE 774 (M8), Soft Amber Key 1 - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.5
    Used for producing a warm key light colour. Flame retardant.
  • Soft Amber Key 1
    LEE 774 (T2), Soft Amber Key 1 - Arri 12 3200K, T-Stop -0.6
    Used for producing a warm key light colour. Flame retardant.
  • Soft Amber Key 2
    LEE 775 (M8), Soft Amber Key 2 - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.7
    Used for producing a warm key light colour. Flame retardant.
  • Soft Amber Key 2
    LEE 775 (T2), Soft Amber Key 2 - Arri 12 3200K, T-Stop -0.7
    Used for producing a warm key light colour. Flame retardant.
  • No Diffusion
    LEE Arri M8, No Diffusion - Arri M8 5600K, T11
    No Diffusion
  • No Diffusion
    LEE Arri T2, No Diffusion - Arri 12 3200K, T11
    No Diffusion
  • White Diffusion
    LEE 216, White Diffusion - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1
    A strong diffusion used for soft light effects.
  • Three Quarter White Diffusion
    LEE 416, Three Quarter White Diffusion - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.8
    A strong to medium diffusion used for soft light effects.
  • Half White Diffusion
    LEE 250, Half White Diffusion - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.6
    A medium diffusion used for soft light effects.
  • Three Eighth White Diffusion
    LEE 450, Three Eighth White Diffusion - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.3
    A medium/weak diffusion used for soft light effects.
  • Quarter White Diffusion
    LEE 251, Quarter White Diffusion - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.5
    A weak diffusion used for soft light effects.
  • Eighth White Diffusion
    LEE 252, Eighth White Diffusion - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.3
    A weak diffusion used for soft light effects.
  • Sixteenth White Diffusion
    LEE 452, Sixteenth White Diffusion - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.2
    A weak diffusion used for soft light effects.
  • LEELux
    LEE 400, LEELux - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1
    A dense white diffuser used for wide beam spreads, creates an even, soft field of light without shadows.
  • Brushed Silk
    LEE 228, Brushed Silk - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.3
    Directional soft lighting effect used for scattering light in one direction only.
  • Hollywood Frost
    LEE 255, Hollywood Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.3
    A light frost effect that softens edges.
  • Opal Frost
    LEE 410, Opal Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.5
    A weak diffusion used for softening spotlight beam edges without altering shape.
  • Light Opal Frost
    LEE 420, Light Opal Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.2
    A weak diffusion similar to Opal Frost, but less diffuse.
  • Eighth Hampshire Frost
    LEE 258, Eighth Hampshire Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.2
    Extra light frost effect.
  • Quarter Hampshire Frost
    LEE 257, Quarter Hampshire Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.2
    Extra light frost effect.
  • Half Hampshire Frost
    LEE 256, Half Hampshire Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.2
    Extra light frost effect.
  • Hampshire Frost
    LEE 253, Hampshire Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.2
    A light frost effect.
  • New Hampshire Frost
    LEE 254, New Hampshire Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.1
    Used to soften the edges of spotlight beams, and to reduce the blue fringe. Flame retardant.
  • Durham Frost
    LEE 750, Durham Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.2
    A frost that almost completely softens shutter edges and removes hot spots.
  • Heavy Frost
    LEE 129, Heavy Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1
    A strong diffusion that eliminates nearly all shadows. Flame retardant.
  • White Frost
    LEE 220, White Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1
    Used for soft light effects. Flame retardant.
  • Heavy Quiet Frost
    LEE 439, Heavy Quiet Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1
    A strong diffuser (pliable to handle) that virtually eliminates shadows at close distance.
  • Soft Frost
    LEE 402, Soft Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1
    A strong diffuser that creates a wide field of soft illumination. Diffusion characteristics similar to 216, falls between 216 and 129.
  • Quiet Frost
    LEE 429, Quiet Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1
    A strong diffuser that creates a wide field of soft illumination but is thicker than the 402 Soft Frost. Similar to the 416.
  • Half Soft Frost
    LEE 404, Half Soft Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.2
    A useful diffuser without too much light loss but very pliable to handle. Diffusion characteristics fall between 251 and 252.
  • Highlight
    LEE 414, Highlight - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.2
    A useful diffuser without too much light loss. Diffusion characteristics similar to 252.
  • Grid Cloth
    LEE 430, Grid Cloth - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1.2
    A waterproof textile, ideal for attaching to large frames. Produces a strong diffusion effect.
  • Light Grid Cloth
    LEE 432, Light Grid Cloth - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.8
    A waterproof textile, ideal for attaching to large frames. Produces a medium diffusion effect.
  • Quarter Grid Cloth
    LEE 434, Quarter Grid Cloth - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.4
    A waterproof textile, ideal for attaching to large frames. Produces a weak diffusion effect.
  • Quiet Grid Cloth
    LEE 460, Quiet Grid Cloth - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1.3
    A waterproof textile, quiet when used in windy conditions. Produces a strong diffusion effect.
  • Quiet Light Grid Cloth
    LEE 462, Quiet Light Grid Cloth - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1
    A waterproof textile, quiet when used in windy conditions. Produces a medium diffusion effect.
  • Quiet Quarter Grid Cloth
    LEE 464, Quiet Quarter Grid Cloth - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.5
    A waterproof textile, quiet when used in windy conditions. Produces a weak diffusion effect.
  • Quarter Tough Spun
    LEE 229, Quarter Tough Spun - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.6
    Softens light and reduces intensity.
  • Tough Spun FR - 3/8
    LEE 264, Tough Spun FR - 3/8 - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.5
    A non-yellowing tough spun. Medium diffusion effect which softens shadows. Flame retardant.
  • Tough Spun FR - 1/8
    LEE 265, Tough Spun FR - 1/8 - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.4
    A non-yellowing tough spun. Weak diffusion effect which softens shadows. Flame retardant.
  • Perforated Highlight
    LEE 414p, Perforated Highlight - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.1
    A combination of both direct and soft diffused light. Flame retardant.
  • Perforated Heavy Quiet Frost
    LEE 439p, Perforated Heavy Quiet Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.7
    A combination of both direct and strongly diffused light. Flame retardant.
  • Blue Frost
    LEE 221, Blue Frost - Arri 12 3200K, T-Stop -1
    Used for soft light effects with the addition of 218(1/8 CTB). Flame retardant.
  • Durham Daylight Frost
    LEE 720, Durham Daylight Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1.7
    Smooths PAR or flood washes of large areas. (Full CTB)
  • Shanklin Frost
    LEE 717, Shanklin Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1.6
    201 with frost to soften the beam of profiles. (Full CTB)
  • Half Shanklin Frost
    LEE 718 (M8), Half Shanklin Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1
    202 with frost to soften the beam of profiles. (1/2 CTB)
  • Half Shanklin Frost
    LEE 718 (T2), Half Shanklin Frost - Arri 12 3200K, T-Stop -1
    202 with frost to soften the beam of profiles. (1/2 CTB)
  • Blue Diffusion
    LEE 217, Blue Diffusion - Arri 12 3200K, T-Stop -1.5
    As White Diffusion but with the addition of 1/8 CTB.
  • Daylight Blue Frost
    LEE 224, Daylight Blue Frost - Arri 12 5600K, T-Stop -2.4
    Used for soft light effects with the addition of 201 Full CTB.
  • Neutral Density Frost
    LEE 225, Neutral Density Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1.5
    Used for soft light effects with the addition of 0.6 Neutral Density.
  • Lily Frost
    LEE 705 (M8), Lily Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1.6
    Smoothes PAR or flood washes of large areas.
  • Lily Frost
    LEE 705 (T2), Lily Frost - Arri 12 3200K, T-Stop -1.7
    Smoothes PAR or flood washes of large areas.
  • Moroccan Frost
    LEE 791 (M8), Moroccan Frost - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -1
    Smoothes PAR or flood washes of large areas.
  • Moroccan Frost
    LEE 791 (T2), Moroccan Frost - Arri 12 3200K, T-Stop -0.9
    Smoothes PAR or flood washes of large areas.
  • Hampshire Rose
    LEE 749 (M8), Hampshire Rose - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.6
    Combines flesh tone warmer 154 with some Hampshire frost.
  • Hampshire Rose
    LEE 749 (T2), Hampshire Rose - Arri 12 3200K, T-Stop -0.6
    Combines flesh tone warmer 154 with some Hampshire frost.
  • Soft Amber Key 1
    LEE 774 (M8), Soft Amber Key 1 - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.5
    Used for producing a warm key light colour. Flame retardant.
  • Soft Amber Key 1
    LEE 774 (T2), Soft Amber Key 1 - Arri 12 3200K, T-Stop -0.6
    Used for producing a warm key light colour. Flame retardant.
  • Soft Amber Key 2
    LEE 775 (M8), Soft Amber Key 2 - Arri M8 5600K, T-Stop -0.7
    Used for producing a warm key light colour. Flame retardant.
  • Soft Amber Key 2
    LEE 775 (T2), Soft Amber Key 2 - Arri 12 3200K, T-Stop -0.7
    Used for producing a warm key light colour. Flame retardant.

Credits for Diffusion Filters Photography and Comparison Test 

Don McVey and Kieron Jansch  compare every LEE diffusion to light a model with a single M8 HM1 camera light. 

Filter comparisons recorded by Director of Photography, Don McVey. Read the full blog post on comparing and testing the effects of LEE’s diffusion filters. You can also watch the diffusion test on YouTube.

Don worked with Kieron Jansch from Manned Camera to shoot every LEE Diffusion with a single M8 HMI. Patiently modelling is Andreea Paduraru with makeup by Bobbie Ross.

Don Mcvey and Kieron Jansch compare every LEE diffusion to light a model with a single M8 HMI

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