Help with U/W Video in so-cal

[Empty V]

So I finally got this housing that I've been talking about for a year and I have to say, it's pretty incredible.

So, my question for any of you that actually shoot U/W video in so-cal, do you use a filter while shooting? Does it make color correction in post any easier? These questions are geared more to those who know post better and delve into the world of color correction opposed to leaving your images as shot. I posted this in the so-cal section because our water is very unique to the rest of the world. Responses from those who have experience shooting in so-cal waters AND have experimented with filters is greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the help!

Billy

 

[MaxBottomtime]

The filter will make your images red. The filter is for clear, tropical water.

 

[robint]

So I finally got this housing that I've been talking about for a year and I have to say, it's pretty incredible.

So, my question for any of you that actually shoot U/W video in so-cal, do you use a filter while shooting? Does it make color correction in post any easier? These questions are geared more to those who know post better and delve into the world of color correction opposed to leaving your images as shot. I posted this in the so-cal section because our water is very unique to the rest of the world. Responses from those who have experience shooting in so-cal waters AND have experimented with filters is greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the help!

Billy

congrats!
The red filter is made for diving between 10' deep and about 80' deep and will make colors look as true as you can get without high-powered lights. I use a red filter for all my diving, tropical or California. You can see my videos on my website: RnR Scuba

robint

 

[Sam Miller III]

That is one good looking housing! I am certain that you are proud of it and rightfully so, it is a jewel.

Re CC or color correction filters..

Theses are normally used to make corrections due to the lack of or abundance or a certain color in lighting.

Within California waters it is conceded that the water generally has a sight bluish -green cast and needs a red filter to absorb the blue green hue. Therefore a CC red filter is used in front of the lens.

A filter is identified by CC number and the color of the filter, Red, there fore a typical filter for UW use would be a CC10R.

It is typical in California to use a CC 05R, a CC10R or a CC20R, and I assume in certain conditions a CC30 R. I consider the CC10R the best all around filter, others swear by the 05 or the 20. Fear that you will need to experiment ..

Please bear in mind that they also absorb a certain amount of light, and the amount of light transmitted to the camera will be reduced.

There are two options for filters, the screw in type, and the Cokin type. I am very pleased with the Cokin system it is universal and reasonable price therefore I have totally converted to the Cokins. You might want to check E bay for CC filters, I obtained several at a very reasonable price.

Good luck with you new venture,

SDM

 

[limeyx]

So I finally got this housing that I've been talking about for a year and I have to say, it's pretty incredible.

Thanks for the help!

Billy

I rarely use the red filter now that I can white-balance manually and often use lights.
Red filter usually takes out quite a bit of light from the camera, and (esp. with HD) you need all the light you can get.

I think my light and motion filter takes at least 1 stop ?

It is supposed to be easier to get rid of red (better results) than try to add it in post, so having slightly red footage might be better.

The biggest thing that helped me in post was
1) going to the FX1/HDV footage -- you can really play with it a lot more than DV without blowing things out, despite the high compression
2) using something other than iMovie

If I use the red filter 10-20 feet, the footage is too red and it's hard to get out.
Below about 70 feet and it takes out too much light and the footage is too dark.

Best thing is to play with it and see what way works best for your tools/process

 

[Teamcasa]

I use a red (5) filter in SoCal waters except when I have the lights on. Nice housing! What camera are you going to stuff into it?

Dave

 

[ScubaBob92651]

...So, my question for any of you that actually shoot U/W video in so-cal, do you use a filter while shooting? Does it make color correction in post any easier? ...
Billy

Same here, if using HID lights, no filter. When using ambient light I almost always use a red filter as well as manual white balance. If the combination of MWB and filter is producing red footage, or the filter is taking away too much ambient light, I flip the filter up and MWB without it. For cameras that don't have MWB, you often can turn the camera off, and then turn if back on, causing the camera's AWB to re-scan for white. If you can MWB and use your filter when needed, you should have minimal (if any) CC in post.

 

[Sam Miller III]

As previously noted there are a number of Red CC filters. The common ones are;
CC025R
CC05R
CC10R
CC20R
CC30R
CC40R
CC50R
Therefore please bear in mind there are a number of Red CC filters.

The one most commonly used in SoCal UW photography would be the CC05R, the CC10R and the CC20R. Improper use of a CC05R will yield no noticeable results, Improper use of a CC20R, or any number above 20, will often result in a red cast to the finished product

It is suggest that the CC number be noted and identified. Often for correct light balancing it is necessary to move up a step to a stronger filer if there is a deficiency in the light quality. If there is a noticeable red cast present step down to a lower number filter.

SDM

 

[alaity47]

A lot just depends on your camera's own white balance capabilities. I do use the red filter a lot. It works great in clear tropical water, but also pretty darned well here in SoCal.

If there's not enough ambient light, or I'm down pretty deep on a wreck or the oil rigs, I'll sometimes flip it off just to let more light in, and then manual white balance.

But in general, I leave the filter on unless I'm using the lights. (I've actually forgotten to flip it a few times, and filmed through the filter WITH lights... it still managed to color correct. Technology rocks.)

 

[Empty V]

Thanks everyone for the advice! (except for know-it-all sam, that was no help what-so-ever) Luckily with video you can see what your image looks like as your filming right? Hopefully the 2.5" monitor that is in the housing looks pretty good.

So the general consensus seems to say that if you're not using lights, which I'm not ready to shell out another $2K yet, then the filter goes on.

Dave, the camera I'm using is a Panasonic DVX100.

So my next question is, which lights should I be looking at to purchase in the coming months?

Billy