Lake Michigan Green Waters

[ScubaInChicago]

I just picked up a Cannon HG10 camera and housing and will be using a pair of Halcyon 18 Watt HID's w/ video reflectors and wanted to know a few things to get started.

1. Should I be looking at filters to minimize the green hues of Lake Michigan and local quarry waters?

2. Will green tinted white balancing cards work better than filters?

3. Any tips to avoid hot spots with the lighting?

4. I'm doing a trip to Turks and Cacaos next month and would like to know how much of the same principals apply, minus the green hues of course.

 

[ppo2_diver]

If the camera/housing can set the white balance while underwater, that would be ideal. I've seen some good shots when setting the white balance. If you want to go the filter route, you'll want a magenta filter to minimize the green.

 

[robint]

I just picked up a Cannon HG10 camera and housing and will be using a pair of Halcyon 18 Watt HID's w/ video reflectors and wanted to know a few things to get started.

1. Should I be looking at filters to minimize the green hues of Lake Michigan and local quarry waters?

2. Will green tinted white balancing cards work better than filters?

3. Any tips to avoid hot spots with the lighting?

4. I'm doing a trip to Turks and Cacaos next month and would like to know how much of the same principals apply, minus the green hues of course.

1. filters, red or magenta, are used when you are NOT using the lights. You never use both at same time. The lights should be used for something close up only as they don't work for any farther than 6-8'.
2. you still white balance when using filters.
3. your lights shouldn't have hot spots, if they do then they may not be worth using.
4. in clear Caribbean water, you will be using the red filter most of the time, and only using the lights (take off the filter) when doing close up subjects just like before.

The big thing..... take video, then go home and review it on a computer screen. Make note of what worked and what didn't.
If this is your first time shooting underwater video, then read all the tips mentioned in other threads here on SB.