Filter reflections

D

dmcgill

Active member
I shot some indoor footage at a convention center. Most of the shots were low- angle shooting upward from waist level.

In a lot of the shots I can see the front of the lens being reflected off the backside my UV filter. I have never noticed this before. Could this be from the wide angle of the shots with the front element of the lens being farther from the filter? Should I take the UV filter off when indoors?

Just trying to keep from making the same mistake twice...
 
The quality of the filter has a lot to do with it. A better filter may help you--multi-coated.

I would keep something on, though. Protection of the DVX lens is very important-also keeping dust and prints off it so you don't have to clean it. Having said that, if you need a shot that is reflecting, take it off, get the shot, then put it back on.
 
I've had that happen to me with a Tiffen UV Filter. I'm not sure if its the quality of the glass, but I'd like to believe it is (cuz I just bought a more expensive Schneider UV filter:)). For now, if I were you, I would take off the UV filter off when you're shooting into lights (or the sky/sun, it'll happen outside too). BUT recognize the fact that you are then exposing your Leica glass to whatever flies at it and if it scratches or gets cracked, you'll be VERY pissed (expensive fix). Perhaps someone else can give you better advice.
-Ryan
 
This should only happen at wide angle where the lens can "see" the reflection of the front of the lens (the white letters are what usually shows up) and the depth of field is great enough to carry focus to the reflection as well as the subject.

A good multi-layer anti reflection coated filter will help reduce the chance of this happening. I would recommend painting over the lettering with flat black paint, brush it on with a small brush, it may look ugly but it is commonly done for this very reason.

Bill Turner
Schneider Optics
Century Division
 
Yeah...I was going to mention that everyone owns a Sharpie, but was afraid I'd get yelled at for suggesting someone black out the letters. :)
 
It's not just lettering. I thought it was anything reflecting off that filter--or off the DVX lens, then back off the filter and back into the prism.
 
Thanks to all for sharing the accumulated years Been There- Done That experience. This forum is great!!!

HybridCreations: Yes it is a Tiffen.
lpcvideo: It is a full circle of the lens, I can even see the rectangular mask on the Leica lens. Don't know about the DOF, but i was 24p and using a slow shutter.
I was pointed almost directly at a bright light ( just off-axis)

I 'll look into the Schneider UV .
 
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