One original owner from collection. These filters have never been used and was part of my sales division many years ago. Filters are in the original factory paper seal. Ser. 8-1/2 Fog 1,2,3
Harrison & Harrison Duraline filters are associated with Harrison & Harrison, a company renowned in the photography and cinematography industries for its high-quality optical filters. Founded in Hollywood, California, by Clarence Harrison in the early 20th century, the company gained prominence for its innovative filter designs, particularly in the realm of motion picture production. Their Duraline filters were part of a product line that included color correction, diffusion, and special effects filters, widely used by cinematographers and photographers to enhance image quality and achieve specific visual effects.
The Duraline series, as the name suggests, was designed for durability and precision. These filters were often crafted as drop-in discs or glass filters in various sizes (such as Series V or larger square formats), intended for use with professional camera systems. They included options like light corrector discs (e.g., yellow, skylight, or panchromatic contrast filters) and diffusion filters, such as the notable Black Dot Texture Screen, which addressed issues like glare in earlier designs. The company’s diffusion filters, in particular, became iconic for softening images and creating a cinematic glow, famously used in Hollywood portraiture and dream sequences—actress Katharine Hepburn reportedly insisted on a D-10 diffusion filter for her shots.
Harrison & Harrison earned significant recognition for their technical achievements. In 1988, they received a Scientific and Technical Achievement Academy Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for their work on diffusion filters, specifically the Black Dot Diffusion Filter, which minimized unwanted glare while maintaining image softness. This accolade underscored their influence in the film industry.
The company operated out of Hollywood for much of its history but relocated to Porterville, California, in the early 1980s under Hartley Harrison, Clarence’s son, following the founder’s death. Production of Harrison & Harrison filters continued until around 2008, after which the brand largely faded from active manufacturing, though vintage sets remain sought after by collectors and photographers. Complete sets, such as the 22-piece Duraline filter kit with a light corrector meter in its original wooden box, are still found in secondary markets, reflecting their enduring legacy.
Today, Harrison & Harrison filters are celebrated as vintage tools from a golden era of analog photography and filmmaking, prized for their craftsmanship and historical significance rather than as a current commercial entity. Their products, like the Duraline line, are a testament to a time when optical innovation directly shaped the art of visual storytelling.