Great article on Colorimetry by Tom Campbell

[SGR Jeff]

This month in Scuba Gear Reports is a great article by Tom Campbell about color loss in shooting video underwater.

Hope you enjoy it
Scuba Gear Reports / Colorimetry

 

[RogerAGrimes]

Thanks for sharing

 

[RogerAGrimes]

So which product at Welcome to DSC Labs should an amateur underwater video hobbyist buy? I loved the article and the recommendation, but when I go to the web site I'm not sure which color correction slate to buy?

Article says Chromadumonde1 (ChromaDuMonde), but I'm not sure which model...or which size would be enough for an underwater video hobbyist without being too large?

 

[SGR Jeff]

Hi Roger

That is a great question. And I wish I knew more about UW Video to accurately answer your question. The simple answer to finding the right chart is depending on which camera you are using and what you typically like to shoot. Check their FAQ section, it answers several questions FAQ. Also you can email them directly at dsc@dsclabs.com and I'm sure they would be more than happy to answer your questions and find the right chart for you.

Hope that helps
Jeff

 

[RogerAGrimes]

The FAQ didn't help that much. I emailed them 2 days ago and so far no reply. They show an underwater videography with a board called the Splash, but the article specifically mentions the other brand slate. So again, I'm confused. I've been taking a whiteboard with me for the last six months, and to be honest, the results haven't been that good. So, I'm interested in seeing if these other boards deliver on the promise of more accurate colors like they state.

 

[SGR Jeff]

Hey Roger

I will ask some of my video friends if they have an answer for you and get back to you as soon as I can.

I'll keep you posted.

Thanks
Jeff

 

[SGR Jeff]

Hey Roger

Sorry for the delay but here is the response I got from Beth at TomCampbell.com I hope this helps.

"It's the one called the Splash Chart. Call DSC & be sure to tell them Tom
Campbell recommended it."

Jeff

 

[ronscuba]

The DSC splash costs around $180.

Professional shooters selling their footage for TV or movie broadcast need accurate colors and preferably an industry standard reference color baseline. That is where the DSC color chart comes in.

For my amateur hobbyist needs, I want my footage to look "good". I don't need broadcast accurate colors. For my eyes, I've been happy white balancing using the sand, grey fins, colorful coral/reef, Whibal grey card. It may not be broadcast accurate, but it looks good to me and I didn't have to buy a $180 chart.

 

[RogerAGrimes]

Hey Roger

Sorry for the delay but here is the response I got from Beth at TomCampbell.com I hope this helps.

"It's the one called the Splash Chart. Call DSC & be sure to tell them Tom
Campbell recommended it."

Jeff

I will do it ASAP. Thanks for your research and help. I did 6 dives without a whitebalance chart last week, to test my results before and after (normally, I dive and shoot with a traditional whitebalance board). Colors were definitely off. I plan to buy the Splash Chart and test again. I'll report the findings here, with the normal white balance board vs. the Splash Chart.

Thanks again.

 

[ronscuba]

I will do it ASAP. Thanks for your research and help. I did 6 dives without a whitebalance chart last week, to test my results before and after (normally, I dive and shoot with a traditional whitebalance board). Colors were definitely off. I plan to buy the Splash Chart and test again. I'll report the findings here, with the normal white balance board vs. the Splash Chart.

Thanks again.

Hello Roger:

Quick question on your white balance board. Is it a standard white slate ? Are you diving clear tropical blue water ?

Just wondering and I am curious to see the comparison with the DSC chart. If it's possible, could you add a cheap grey card or the sand to your comparison ?

I have no problem being wrong. Just curious to see if the DSC chart is a big improvement over what I have been using.

Thanks,

Ron