Red Filter on PT-020

[Divebuddies]

Hi all. I want to add a red filter to my PT-020 housing. Is it as easy as screwing in a 67mm red filter to the housing, or do I need to buy some special attachment? Also, will any red filter do, or you recommend a particular brand?

 

[herman]

It's that easy but why do it? It's only really good at a particular depth, where the decreased red level in the light is exactly compensated by the the filter. It also decreases the light to your camera making a longer exposure and/or a smaller F-stop necessary. Your better off learning to use manual white balance and you must remove it if you use your flash or a strobe. Save your money for a strobe.

 

[Divebuddies]

I do have a strobe, and I'm considering investing in another one. However, I was wondering if the red filter would make my pics come out less blue. Also, I'm under the impression that removing the red filter is not necessary even if you have a strobe. I exclusively dive tropical waters and usually at depths of at 50-80 feet. Thanks.

 

[herman]

It will change the background color some but it is also going to change the forground color as well...the area lit by the strobe will turn out more red and if that's your primary subject, it being overly red is not likely something you want. Your strobe puts out "white" light, a red filter is going to make everything look red that is in the area lit by the strobe.

 

[DesertEagle]

Filters are good for shallow diving. They're not for deep diving or macro photos. Per herman's advice, a filter with strobe would come out looking strange. It could be done, but by putting an additional filter over the strobe. Why bother.

If you have a strobe and still get blue photos;
1. You may not be close enough (do you have a wide angle lens?)
2. Shoot RAW
3. Manually calibrate your white balance while you dive

 

[Divebuddies]

We do shoot in RAW and we'll play a bit with the white balance. Our wide angle only goes to 28mm. I could add a converter to widen it a bit more. Thanks for the advice!