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PolarPro Shortstache Everyday Filter Review

PolarPro is so hot right now, which is partly due to their growing range of innovative products co-developed with global influencers the likes of Chris Burkard and Peter McKinnon. So I was thrilled to have the opportunity to test one of their latest lens filters, especially as I’ve wanted to try photography with a mist filter for some time now.

A mist filter makes subtle changes to your images depending on the subject and shooting conditions. Our hands-on PolarPro Shortstache Everyday Filter Review explores how to incorporate the Polarpro everyday filter – which is a dual 1/4 strength black mist + polariser – into your own photography workflow.

Launched in February 2024, the Shortstache Everyday Filter has captured the imagination of creators everywhere, and the idea is that you can leave it mounted on your lens all day long and photograph unique images straight out of camera, so join us to discover whether this is the ideal filter to add for your own content creation.

Flower Sample image. Camera settings: 1/250 sec. f/2.8. ISO 500.

Sample images

The files from the high-resolution Sony A7R V, which Nick Dautlich used for all these sample images, look fantastic. The filter subtly reduces sharpness in just the right way, with effects that aren't too obvious. I shot into the light as much as possible, and also while the sun was lower to the horizon, or while light was diffused, and all of the sample images are edited to taste.

I also tried some night photography, in order to see how street lights and lightbulbs bloomed, and have to say that the effect is perfectly subtle, with soft blurring that emphasises light sources, rather than exaggerating them.

Sunset in a grassy field sample image. Camera settings: 1/500 sec. f/4. ISO 125.

What is the PolarPro Shortstache Everyday Filter?

The PolarPro Shortstache Everyday Filter is a unique solution for both filmmaking and photography, which was co-developed with creator, storyteller and influencer Garrett King AKA Shortstache. The filter combines two effects with a circular polariser and 1/4 strength Black Mist, eliminating the need to stack filters on your lens.

It is essentially a PolarPro quartzline FX mist filter and a PolarPro polariser filter rolled into one, and as the name suggests this is an everyday filter, which means that the effect isn’t really obvious. Because of the subtle effects, you can use it liberally for a variety of different shooting styles and genres, unlike an ND for long exposures for example, which is best suited for achieving specific results.

Why do you need a polariser and mist filter anyway?

I use a circular polariser (CPL) for around 50-60% of my outdoor shots, because a CPL cuts through reflections while enhancing saturation and contrast. This makes a polariser useful for a huge variety of subjects, from shooting landscapes and scenery with rocks, water, or plants, to cityscapes, buildings with glass, cars, and other vehicles.

I’ve added an image showing my car mirror polarised and unpolarised, and the reflections of the clouds are immediately clear in the unpolarised image. It’s worth noting that polarisation can be adjusted in strength levels, rather than a binary on/off, allowing you to choose the strength of the effect to suit the results you want for each shot. This gives you a lot of control and the PolarPro glass does a fantastic job by cutting reflections without affecting colours and light transmission too much.

The addition of a 1/4 strength mist filter in the Shortstache everyday filter adds a second effect, depending on the lighting in your shot. When there are light sources such as car lights, street lights or photography lights, the filter creates a misty bloom effect, and where the light is flat light, or point light sources are absent from the scene, the filter cuts through the sharpness generated by digital sensors, creating a subtle softness.

This versatility enables the filter to stay on your lens pretty much all of the time, you can simply screw it on and leave it there. The CPL effect is independently controlled and you can reduce polarisation to nothing when it is not needed, leaving just the cinematic mist character visible.

Woman with tattoo sample image. Camera settings: 1/500 sec. f/2.8. ISO 250.

Which filter was tested?

The Shortstache filter comes in five thread sizes, starting with the 49mm, which is perfect if you’re lucky enough to be rocking a Leica Q3, or a Fujifilm X100VI with an AR-X100 adapter ring. For this review, I shot with the PolarPro 82mm Shortstache Everyday Mist Light/PL Filter, adding a PolarPro 77mm to 82mm step-up ring as needed.

When it comes to threaded filters, one tactic is to buy one size filter that fits your largest lens diameter, then use a step-up ring to accommodate smaller lens threads. This is a great way of using one top quality filter across two or three of your lenses.

The Shortstache filter comes with a hard case and branded microfibre cloth for cleaning, which is a nice touch. Just add a LensPen Hurricane Blower and you’re all set!

I really liked the packaging PolarPro used for their products, which is 100% recycled, and fully recyclable thanks to the plant-based inks they use. All of the packaging still feels solid, and helps to reduce waste, while protecting the environment, which is all good.

Sample image night long exposure. Camera settings: 8 seconds (tripod mounted). f/8. ISO 100.

Check out the The Everyday Filter video by shortstache

Discover how the filter came together through this collab. in Garrett’s own words here.

What are the advantages of not stacking filters?

By combining two effects into one, you reduce the need to stack filters, which essentially halves the amount of filters you need. This saves time, money, and creates a more streamlined and lighter setup, for both stills and video. Stacking filters can also lead to cross threading, which is a hassle.

Other benefits include shooting with less layers of additional glass, which can introduce reflections and ghosting when shooting at certain angles to light sources. Layering lots of filters can also reduce image sharpness unnecessarily, while also changing the colours of the scene.

Sample image of butterfly. Camera settings: 1/500 sec. f/3.5. ISO 2000.

You may want to recreate some of these effects in certain situations, and the PolarPro filter can cause lens flare if angled correctly to light sources. This enables you to produce artefacts in a way which is similar to guitar feedback, which can be appealing in specific contexts. However, it’s a benefit to be able to control image artefacts, and is much easier without filter stacking.

Girl smelling flowers sample image. Camera settings: 1/1000 sec. f/1.4. ISO 100.

Is it well built?

The Everyday filter utilises Chroma Polariser glass, housed in an anodised aluminium frame that feels surprisingly lightweight and solid at the same time. If you shoot handheld, aside from the front element looking more stylish, you won’t even notice the filter is mounted because it’s so light.

Sample twilight bloom effect. Camera settings: 1/2 second. f/8. ISO 400.

Does the Everyday filter affect image sharpness?

Yes, the PolarPro Everyday Shortstache filter is designed to slightly reduce image sharpness. The effect is better than hoped, and it manages to achieve softness without making your photos look blurry. Instead the filter creates a misty, cinematic quality, which does not look like a focusing error was made.

Clouds sample photo. Camera settings: 1/500 sec. f/4. ISO 100.

Who is this filter effect for?

The Shorstache Everyday filter is ideal for filmmaking and photography, which will make this particularly appealing to hybrid creators of any level. The results it can achieve from the mist effect are subtle, while the polariser is useful for lots of different shots, and can simply be rotated to have no effect when not needed.

Cinematic mist effect at sunset. Camera settings: 1/500 sec. f/2.8. ISO 320.

Conclusion

PolarPro has always developed working relationships with industry-leading photographers and videographers – using collaboration to create innovative products, which creators want. This really shows in the Everyday filter, which surpassed my expectations, and I’ll definitely be investing in one of these for my own photography.

It’s a useful all-rounder, with subtle effects that anyone can incorporate into a wide variety of shots, and it really can be left on everyday, which is the whole point. The Chroma glass shows no undesirable colour shift, renders high clarity, and feels like a premium product, allowing you to capture unique images while being easy to use, lightweight, and delivering on the promise of being neutral enough for everyday use.

Why not explore our range of PolarPro filters today to find the perfect option, which will complement your style of photography, videography or hybrid content creation.

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By Nick Dautlich on 03/07/2024