PolarPro Split 50 brings the split diopter effect to its filter range

PolarPro's Split 50 is a rotatable half-diopter filter that creates two distinct focal planes in-camera, available in threaded sizes from 49 mm to 82 mm and for the Helix MagLock system.

PolarPro has added a split diopter to its filter line with the new Split 50, a half-diopter filter that allows two separate focal distances to coexist within a single frame.

Here's a video from PolarPro showing it in use.

How it works

One half of the filter magnifies and reduces focal length, while the other remains unaffected, producing a split focal plane for in-camera compositions. The effect can bring foreground and background into focus simultaneously, create bokeh, or split a composition's focus across two planes. Longer focal lengths intensify the effect, pushing the background further away while keeping the foreground subject significantly magnified.

The filter works best between f/1.2 and f/4 for a smooth transition between planes, and rotates for precise focus plane alignment.

The Split 50 rotates to let shooters position the focal plane transition precisely within the frame

To be fair, it's a niche effect with a very specific use case. Even PolarPro positions it as specialty glass for creative sequences rather than something for everyday use. But it also points out that the split focus effect, edge distortion, and dual focal plane results are not authentically replicable in post. The split diopter's cinematic history (Reservoir Dogs, The Untouchables, All the President's Men) makes a powerful argument on its own.

The filter is made from PolarPro's Cinema Series anti-scratch, anti-reflective, and low-dispersion optical glass, and it's mounted in a CNC-machined aluminum frame with a matte black anodized finish.

Pricing and availability 

The Split 50 is available in threaded sizes from 49 mm to 82 mm (49 mm, 67 mm, 77 mm, 82 mm) and in a Helix MagLock version (base plates not included). Pricing starts at $89.99 for the 49 mm and reaches $249 for the Helix version.