Red Filter vs Lights

[diversteve]

OK, I'm no expert on either SCUBA diving or underwater photography but I do know a thing or two about general digital photography and post processing so I'll play.

So what happens when you use both a red filter and a strobe?

Well if you did make a fool of yourself, I'm certainly not smart enough to know it. Impressive answer!

Except this is the Videography forum....

 

[limeyx]

Depending on the filter you've got I'm guessing you lose an average of about 1/2 a stop of light which shouldn't matter. I'm not an expert either I only know what I've done. I use a disposable blue water filter(bastard pink party gel) and white balance. In January I shot some footage in Hawaii with this setup and a single Light Cannon. The light cannon showed up as red and the water turned purple. It took a lot of color grading to get it to look natural but it's possible. I'm moving to a dual 50W halogen setup and will probably end up throwing some full CTB(color temperature blue) gel on the lights to balance them. Has anyone done this?

Billy

I cannot quantify my experience with red filter in stops, but I do know that in greenish California waters, taking it below about 70 feet results in almost entirely "black" footage on my old DV camera (PC350) in a light and motion housing (Mako)

I dont really use the red filter on the HD camera honestly, so that's a bit unknown.

 

[NAIBdiver1]

limeyx - Greenish water, I use a "green water" filter that I bought from Ikelite - worked well in LaPaz.

 

[HiDefPics]

I'm moving to a dual 50W halogen setup and will probably end up throwing some full CTB(color temperature blue) gel on the lights to balance them. Has anyone done this?

Billy

I've done this and it works pretty well. The only trouble is that CTB will drastically cut your light output. I'd start with a 1/4 and move up from there. I think full CTB will cut your light output by nearly 2/3.

To answer the OP's question, I've found the red filter to be more useful than artificial light for most situations. And I wouldn't use both together. You'll find the red way over saturated.

As others have said, unless you are shooting very close to your subject the lights won't do much good. But for overhead or macro situations they make a huge difference.

 

[limeyx]

limeyx - Greenish water, I use a "green water" filter that I bought from Ikelite - worked well in LaPaz.

Interesting. I am mainly using the lights these days as I am videoing a lot in the 90-160 foot range and I just think the filters are going to rob me of too much light.

I do video shallower sometimes, and do have a red filter in the HD housing, maybe I will see how that works. I could also replace the filter if I desired ...and of course manual WB too.

 

[Empty V]

I've done this and it works pretty well. The only trouble is that CTB will drastically cut your light output. I'd start with a 1/4 and move up from there. I think full CTB will cut your light output by nearly 2/3.

To answer the OP's question, I've found the red filter to be more useful than artificial light for most situations. And I wouldn't use both together. You'll find the red way over saturated.

As others have said, unless you are shooting very close to your subject the lights won't do much good. But for overhead or macro situations they make a huge difference.

Was 1/4 enough of a color shift? Now only if someone made a waterproof color meter.

Billy

 

[PerroneFord]

Hydroflex should be able to set you up with something for a Minolta Color meter. They house their range of light meters.

-P

Was 1/4 enough of a color shift? Now only if someone made a waterproof color meter.

Billy

 

[BDSC]

I just wanted to take a minute and thank all you folks for giving me some great feedback. I've definitely learned a little. Of course nothing will substitute for getting out there and shooting some video in various conditions with both lights and filters (but probably not at the same time) and learning the "hard way". I'm not sure going diving with a video camera is a hard way to learn anything though. It sounds like too much fun!

Keep the info coming. I'm always ready to learn.

BDSC

 

[HiDefPics]

Was 1/4 enough of a color shift? Now only if someone made a waterproof color meter.

Billy

It was enough for my specific situation, but it's so dependent on so many factors (depth, water clarity, whether it's overcast or bright sun). I think you just have to experiment and see what works best. Maybe precut sheets of 1/4, 1/2 and Full, take them all down with you and do a little testing.

 

[HiDefPics]

I just wanted to take a minute and thank all you folks for giving me some great feedback. I've definitely learned a little. Of course nothing will substitute for getting out there and shooting some video in various conditions with both lights and filters (but probably not at the same time) and learning the "hard way". I'm not sure going diving with a video camera is a hard way to learn anything though. It sounds like too much fun!

Keep the info coming. I'm always ready to learn.

BDSC

You're absolutely right. There's no better way to learn to do this stuff than to practice. Remember, shooting good underwater footage is difficult (it seems everything is working against you). Just work on improving one little thing at a time, keep the good attitude that it sounds like you have, and have fun.