Red filter on the surface

[bubblebubble]

I have never used a red filter and was wondering how meaningful their use is close to the surface when snorkeling? Will manual white balancing do the trick if red dominates too much?

 

[diversteve]

Red filters aren't typically used in the first 15' since they will yellow everything too much.
I've never been able to color correct for it adequately when I've made that mistake.

 

[bubblebubble]

Thanks and sorry for asking annoying stuff I could simply try out. It might be a while till I receive my new camera rig and before I get a chance to try what works for me. I assumed a red filter won't be of much use for objects near the surface that can be approached quite easily. But would you use a red filter for filming let's say a big pod of dolphins swimming on the surface that keeps its distance? I don't have much time to familiarize with my camera before my vacation and would hate to get the settings wrong should something awesome happen.

 

[Manta-Passion]

Hi

It's true that the use of the Red Filter near the surface and below 25m is sometimes tricky.

Near the surface, it will give you an seemingly ugly image, very...orange or yellow, unless.. you have a powerful editing software. I mean a professionnal or semi-professional software, who would allow you to make strong corrections to the color. So not the €40 or €75 stuff, but rather €400 to €500 product such as Final Cut, Edius, or Las Vegas pro.

If you don't, well in that case don't use the filter because you won't be able to work on the images, and you will have more inconvenients using the filter than avantages.

Try to keep the camera as deep as possible, because the filter works very well between 10 to 15m. Below, it removes light, and above it adds too much red.

Best

MP

 

[bubblebubble]

ok thanks, that's very helpful.