Add Some Flair to Your Photos! PrismFX FlareFX Filter Review

The PrismFX FlareFX filter is a fun way to make photography exciting again.

Modern photography is very bland. Manufacturers work on creating super technical and clinically perfect images. It’s annoying. But the PrismFX FlareFX filter surely can help with that whenever you need. Using this filter, you can create in-camera flare effects. Better yet, there’s the option of making it look like a rainbow. Ever wanted some lens flare when shooting a model against a bright sun? We have. But loads of companies engineered that out of their lenses. The PrismFX FlareFX filter brings that back.

Too Long Didn’t Read

The PrismFX FlareFX filter is the most fun way to bring some soul back to your photography. But it’s a bit costly and the build quality is a bit lacking.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • A super cool way to get this effect!
  • Very fun to use!

Cons

  • Can be a tad difficult to take off a lens
  • Pricey

Gear Used

We tested the PrismFX FlareFX filter with the Canon RF 50mm f1.2 L USM and the Panasonic 20-60mm lens.

Tech Specs

Taken from the official PrismFX FlareFX filter page.

  • Available in Blue Flare FX / Rainbow Flare FX
  • Available in 77mm Rotating Filter or 4×5.65 Filter
  • Creates “Anamorphic” style flares

  • Includes Filter Pouch (when in stock) 

  • 20cm x 20cm Microfiber Cleaning Cloth /w logo (Gift with purchase when in stock / 1 per order) 
  • The Blue Flare FX creates a classic anamorphic style Blue Flare effect and look.
  • The Rainbow Flare FX creates a multicolored anamorphic style Flare effect that changes color depending on the light that hits the filter.

Ergonomics

There isn’t much to this filter at all. Look at it! There’s the glass with a specific design on it. Then you have the two rings. One is to attach it to a lens. The other is to rotate the glass. That’s it!

Build Quality

The cool thing about the PrismFX FlareFX filter is that it’s rotational. Think of it the way you use a circular polarizer or an ND. But in this case, you’re easily changing the direction of the flare. This lends itself to even more fun. The problem, however, is the fairly low build quality. These don’t feel like the highest end filter rings. And in the field, it really seemed that way too.

Ease of Use

To use the PrismFX FlareFX filter, you put it on your lens’s filter thread. Then you adjust it as needed. Point your lens into a light source and watch the flare come out. This is indeed one of the most fun things to see and do with this filter. The other cool thing is that you can stack the filters on top of one another. So if you want to combine the PrismFX FlareFX filter with say a split diopter, you totally can. But that creates even more user issues with too many moving parts. For what it’s worth, I’d steer clear of doing that.

Where it becomes a hassle is removing the filter. PrismFX has its own step down rings from the 77mm sized filter. Removing those are a pain. Then to remove the filters themselves from a lens, you really have to have a solid grip. PrismFX could’ve improved the grippability. If you have little patience, you’re probably going to give up pretty quickly. Just don’t put a pair of pliers to it. Have a bit of patience. You’ll get it off the lens.

Conclusions

Likes

  • The return of lens flare
  • One size made and you need to use step down rings.

Dislikes

  • Cost
  • Build Quality

The PrismFX FlareFX filter can be described as a toy. I’ve talked with a friend who said that there are higher-end products out there. And they’re much better in his eyes. He’s pretty experienced and I trust his judgment. But for what it’s worth at around $70 depending on if there’s a sale or not, the PrismFX FlareFX filter is a fun toy. If anything, they’re a bit addicting.

The PrismFX FlareFX filter receives four out of five stars.