Ira Tiffen has joined Schneider Optics, as vice president of motion picture filters. He will have overall responsibility for the division, including production, marketing and product development.
“I expect Ira’s considerable experience in the industry generally and specifically with Motion Picture Filters, to be of great value to Schneider in advancing the strength of our product range and of our brand,” said Dwight Lindsey, CEO, Schneider Optics.
During his more than 30 years at The Tiffen Company, Tiffen created many filter effects that were in response to the expressed needs of cameramen. More recently, at his own company, Optefex, he developed the Optefex Blue Streak filter line, a technology that he brings with him to Schneider.
Tiffen credits the late Bob Zupka for his much pivotal work at Schneider. “Bob’s enthusiasm left an indelible impression on many,” Tiffen said. “I am excited about being part of this innovative and forward-thinking team, where we will continue to make important advances in filter effects.”
Tiffen has been working with glass for more than 40 years, developing specialized optics for the film, television and stills market. He served as vice president for research and development at the Tiffen Company until 2004, where he developed the original Tiffen Low Contrast, Double Fog and Coral filters and went on to create the Pro-Mist, Soft/FX, Diffusion/FX, GlimmerGlass and many other important products and effects. Tiffen holds several patents on photographic accessory designs, including one for snap-on filter rings, for a matte box that eliminates the need for a filter frame and a tripod handle.
An associate member of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) since 1992, he was elected a fellow of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) in 2002. He received a Technical Achievement Award in 1992 from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) for the Ultra Contrast Filter Series, as well as a Prime-Time Emmy Award, in 1998, from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS).
Tiffen will work out of Schneider’s Hauppauge, N.Y.offices.
