Red Filter

[Dirty-Dog]

I have an Epoque DCL-20 wide angle lens. It's the 55DR. I'm having zero luck finding a red filter that I am sure will fit this lens. Any suggestions?
Thanks.

 

[diversteve]

Amazon.com: Epoque Underwater Color Filter for Bluewater, Fits Epoque DCL-20 Wide-Angle C...: Sports & Outdoors

 

[Monzak]

at what depth is it best to use a red filter?

 

[DevonDiver]

Between 10m/30ft and the surface...on a sunny day. Any deeper any you'd just be cutting out too much ambient light to get any sort of decent photo.

 

[Monzak]

thanks, i'll remember that

if i go deeper, should i use another filter or just nothing? (I own a Canon HF200 and it has an underwater mode)

btw any help on this thread? post #299
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/underwater-videography/274087-canon-wp-v1-housing-30.html

 

[bkotheimer]

The standard advice I've heard is that it is NOT necessary for the first 15-20 feet where the natural light still contains a lot of red... and not necessary at any depth if your primary light source is your camera light(s). I use mine starting around 20ft and get very good results.

 

[diversteve]

For video - for the 1st 15 feet the red filter will turn everything yellow. You should be able to use it to at least 60-70' in good lighting conditions. Like the Caribbean in daylight. Below that the light fall-off will make everything too dark. There's no way to access gain below the surface on your camera/housing combo so at that point remove the filter and correct for the blue during editing. Or buy lights...

 

[EevelMonkee]

if i go deeper, should i use another filter or just nothing? (I own a Canon HF200 and it has an underwater mode)

I just discussed some things I learned about red filters and depth, including photo examples, here: Diving Addiction: More about the Sealife DC1200

I'm using a Sealife DC1200 without external flash. Not the same camera you use but it has the underwater mode with a digital red filter which is probably similar to yours.

 

[jghflash]

I have an HF200 as well. Don't use the underwater mode....kind of seems odd but there are a couple of reasons. First, I didn't like the color correction done automatically when in UW mode. Second, the minimum focus goes to some thing like a couple of feet from the front of the lens for some weird reason. If you just use program mode, auto white balance and add the red filter under 20-25 feet or so you'll be amazed at the video it will take. In the normal mode (not UW) focus from the front of the lens goes to an inch or less. It does tale some incredible video.....mine just has operator limitations!

 

[Monzak]

thank you all for your advice. I will do various trials of what you told me and see what works the best.