Why are masks with red lenses not more popular?
- Thread starter Dogbowl
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Rred
Contributor
All that a filter does, is BLOCK light.
So there's nothing a red filter can do for a camera, that can't be done in the darkroom. Or these days, in the computer. Except maybe give you a different "preview" of how things will look after filtering.
Me, I use the same mask in bright sunlight on the surface, where I sure don't need to see red, and I use it at night, where I want all the light I can see, and again, I sure don't need a mythical red nightvision setup. So why would I spend an extra $100+ on a red mask, which to me also means another case to keep it in, when I can just see what's there?
So there's nothing a red filter can do for a camera, that can't be done in the darkroom. Or these days, in the computer. Except maybe give you a different "preview" of how things will look after filtering.
Me, I use the same mask in bright sunlight on the surface, where I sure don't need to see red, and I use it at night, where I want all the light I can see, and again, I sure don't need a mythical red nightvision setup. So why would I spend an extra $100+ on a red mask, which to me also means another case to keep it in, when I can just see what's there?
K
KeithG
Guest
Humans already have a very effective white balance device in our brain. We routinely handle incandescent vs sunlight.
Cameras, not so much.
Filters reduce light. Which is bad for us. But useful for devices less capable.
Cameras, not so much.
Filters reduce light. Which is bad for us. But useful for devices less capable.
tarponchik
Contributor
Because you'll look marooned in such mask.
K
KeithG
Guest
Filters do not "add back" They remove "other" colors so things appear to be more red, but much darker.
Sorry, I must be totally misunderstanding the purpose of a red lens in a mask. I thought that it added back the "reds" that our eyes are less and less likely to see as we descend deeper and deeper??? Therefore, the fish and coral will appear more true???
Your brain already compensates a lot. Just like you think colors under light bulbs look okay.
A red filter is useless below 20 feet. The red is already gone. You need light to bring it back. That is why we use strobes on cameras.
I had one of them a long time ago from a DEMA show. It wound up on eBay a long time ago after a bunch of dives. Gimmick.
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