Schneider brings B+W polarizing filters to the iPhone

[shared via Google Reader from The iPhoneography Blog]

If you are a photography buff, then you will be aware of Photokina, the world’s leading imaging fair that takes place every 2 years in Cologne, Germany. Well Photokina 2012 officially opens it doors to the public tomorrow, and runs until the 23rd, but already products from leading manufacturers are being shown to the press. One such company, is Germany’s Schneider-Kreuznach, the parent company of Schneider Optics (the people behind the iPro lens system), who have just unveiled the B+W Smart-Pro circular polarizing filter, for the iPhone 4, 4S and 5*.

Designed primarily for the iPhone, the B+W Smart-Pro will fit any smartphone or tablet that has a lens with a maximum diameter of 8 millimetres, and is held in place by a small stick-on magnetic ring. This magnetic ring allows for quick fitting and removal of Smart-Pro, but the fact it has to be stuck to the iPhone or other device, may put some people off.

On the Schneider-Kreuznach website, the B+W Smart-Pro polarizing filter is described as being able to “eliminate reflections”, and “provide saturated and intense colours”,  “as well as improving contrast ratios”. The website goes on to say, “this effect can neither be created subsequently using software nor can an app simulate it”, and (I know I shouldn’t say this, but this next bit put a smile on my sad and dreary face) “the filter is ideal for all those who want to disassociate themselves from the world of standard Hipstamatic and Instagram photography.” (Thankfully, not all iPhoneographers use Hipstamatic or Instagram with its preset filters).

At present, there is no pricing or availability for the B+W Smart-Pro, but more information including a video can be found here.

*The B+W Smart-Pro filter has been primarily designed for the iPhone, however it will fit any device that has a lens with a maximum diameter of 8 millimetres.