LC-Tec Electronic Variable Diffusion Filter System & Metabones EF-E CINE eND Smart Adapter – First Look

by Jeff LochSeptember 13^th, 2024

During IBC 2024, we stopped by the LC-Tec booth to discover their latest innovation, the Electronic Variable Diffusion filter system. This innovative system consists of a 4×5.65-inch glass with liquid crystals that slots inside a matte box, plus a small controller box that allows you to precisely dial in the amount of diffusion in your filter. Moreover, the company showcased the new Metabones EF-E CINE eND Smart Adapter, which uses their electronic VND technology.

Swedish tech company LC-Tec is a relatively new player in the filmmaking industry and focuses on creating innovative filters for cinematography. Last year, during IBC 2023, we discovered their electronic variable ND filter concept and prototype, which even earned them one of our Best-of-Show awards! A year has passed, and now the company is applying the same concept to diffusion filters.

LC-Tec Electronic Variable Diffusion filter system – features

According to the company, the LC-Tec Electronic Variable Diffusion filter system is the “world’s first EVD filter system for cine lenses.” It consists of two main components: a 4×5.65-inch glass that sits in any compatible matte box and a compact controller box. Please note that LC-Tec does not produce the final product but rather sells their technology to third-party manufacturers.

The company has extensive experience and expertise in manufacturing internal electronic ND systems for other cinema camera companies. However, this new system is designed to give cinematographers and ACs full electronic control over the level of diffusion in their filter.

This opens up new creative possibilities. For example, the LC-Tec EVD filter system allows you to adjust the intensity of the diffusion in the middle of a shot. Or, you can use the system to rapidly remove the diffusion to allow focus pullers to grab a reference for focus, then you can quickly turn on the diffusion again for the shot.

In theory, it should also be possible to apply the electronic diffusion at different strengths to selected areas of the filter. This feature is impressive and unique as it allows you to affect only some parts of the image without affecting others. The creative possibilities of this localized diffusion sound endless and open up new possibilities for filmmakers.

As we’ve been told, this Electronic Variable Diffusion filter system is currently in working prototype form and uses their patented liquid crystal panel technology. We’ve been told that their manufacturing partners will dictate the final form factor of the EVD, so it might be subject to change.

Metabones EF-E CINE eND Smart Adapter

LC-Tec also showcased at its booth a new Canon EF to Sony E-mount adapter developed in conjunction with Metabones: the EF-E CINE eND Smart Adapter. This lens mount adapter is compatible with Canon EF and EF-S lenses. Furthermore, it supports both in-body image stabilization (IBIS) and optical image stabilization (OIS).

The Metabones EF-E CINE eND Smart Adapter features a physical button at the front that allows you to switch from a clear filter to eND mode. In eND mode, the adjustment range goes from -2 to -7 stops. Once the eND filter is engaged, you can adjust the eND in 0.5-stop increments via a dial on top of the adapter.

Furthermore, there is an OLED display that shows the adapter’s status and your ND settings. Lastly, this adapter draws power from the lens mount, so no external power is required. This makes it a handy solution when shooting with a mirrorless or small cinema camera like the Sony FX3, for example.

Price and availability

At the moment, there is no information about pricing, but the LC-Tec Electronic Variable Diffusion filter system should be available to third-party manufacturers in Q2 2025.

The Metabones EF-E CINE eND Smart Adapter should be available soon for $599.

For more information, please visit LC-Tec’s website here.

What do you think about this new EVD filter system? Can you think of other possible applications for this technology? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!