has anyone used a tiffen pro mist black filter?

I

IsraelHoudini

Well-known member
i read in the last issue of res mag that a production shooting digital used haze and kino's plus nd and on top of that a pro mist black filter to achieve a very good stylized effect that i would like to emulate (very filmic-almost bleach bypass). has anyone used a tiffen pro mist or pro mist black? how much does it affect the image? any thoughts or personal experiences greatly appreciated.
 
Re: has anyone used a tiffen pro mist black filter

Re: has anyone used a tiffen pro mist black filter

also..does the dvx need a mattebox or other equipment to utilize a filter? (purchasing cam on wed, along with other necesary equipment for our shoot)
 
Re: has anyone used a tiffen pro mist black filter

Re: has anyone used a tiffen pro mist black filter

You can get 72mm versions of these filters, but if you stack up several of them, you will get vignetting when at wide angle.
 
Re: has anyone used a tiffen pro mist black filter

Re: has anyone used a tiffen pro mist black filter

You definitely get a nicely diffused image: they work great. The degree to which they'll soften the picture has to do with what degree your filter is...you can get different grades, depending on how much diffusion you're looking for, anywhere from quite subtle glows in the highlights all the way to a dream-like effect. Try some out first to see which is right for you. Also, you can go to tiffen's website and see examples of the different grades of filters in action.
 
Re: has anyone used a tiffen pro mist black filter

Re: has anyone used a tiffen pro mist black filter

Check out Jarred's filter DVD, where he shows what Pro-Mist filters look like on the DVX.
 
Re: has anyone used a tiffen pro mist black filter

Re: has anyone used a tiffen pro mist black filter

If you get the screw in type and want something less than a 1, 2, or 3 they can be slightly trickier to find. Camera shops often times don't list the "fraction" grades. B&H or other big retailer should have them. I've tried a 1/8 and 1/2 white Pro Mist on the DVX. I like the 1/2 - not too diffused, not so slight as to be useless. If you use "B. Press" gamma you can recover some of the contrast lost with the white Pro.
 
Re: has anyone used a tiffen pro mist black filter

Re: has anyone used a tiffen pro mist black filter

A word of caution about using any filters. The effect they bring to the picture is permanent and if you try to fix the footage you are never working from the "original" untouched image.

Consider doing this effect in post if it's possible for you. There are many NLEs and SFX packages that can emulate this effect quite well. The advantages of doing this are obvious...if you don't like it, try something else.

Having said that, I have used diffusion filters in the past and they have given me a unique look when light hits them a certain way. Particularly if you are shooting sunrise of sunset shots.

The Tiffens are some of the best diffusers in my experience so if you do some test shots and like it, then go with it.
 
Re: has anyone used a tiffen pro mist black filter

Re: has anyone used a tiffen pro mist black filter

Thing is, if you know for a fact that you'll be wanting a diffused look, it seems to me that it appears a lot more organic when filters are used as opposed to a digital effect. Most people know in advance how they want a scene to look, anyways, so it's not really that big a deal I think.
 
Re: has anyone used a tiffen pro mist black filter

Re: has anyone used a tiffen pro mist black filter

I agree and my own results have shown that there is definitely a more organic look to filters used on the camera. My point is that you need to be intimately familiar with the filter you are using if you are shooting something important. There is no such thing as a generic diffused look. The thing about diffusion filters is that they react differently according to what light is in the shot. Sometimes they will have the appearance of being twice as strong as a previous shot with different lighting or visa versa.

If you are familiar with the filter and like it and have tested it thoroughly, I would easily recommend it over a post fix any day.
 
Re: has anyone used a tiffen pro mist black filter

Re: has anyone used a tiffen pro mist black filter

If you want to see how a 1/2 black pro-mist looks in interview settings check out the "Fabulous Life" series on VH1 (Viacom crushes the signal so it appears darker than it is). Other than the pro-mist the camera (100a) is on the preset of scene #5 (skin detail is on).
 
Re: has anyone used a tiffen pro mist black filter

Re: has anyone used a tiffen pro mist black filter

Its not even for just a diffused look anymore. On 75% of the video productions, no matter what camera, I have worked on they always rent a 1/8 promist. Its like a tip that everyone just picked up and now is the somewhat standard for shooting video. Also, corals are pretty popular.

I like the black softnets better. and Antique Suede is my waming filter of choice.
 
Re: has anyone used a tiffen pro mist black filter

Re: has anyone used a tiffen pro mist black filter

"Its not even for just a diffused look anymore."

I'm looking for a filter that add dynamic range, not washed out (overly diffused) image.
What would be your recommendation ?

thanks
 
Re: has anyone used a tiffen pro mist black filter

Re: has anyone used a tiffen pro mist black filter

If you are not looking for a diffused filter why not play with the matrix settings in your camera. The number of looks and control you have with the camera are almost endless.
 
Re: has anyone used a tiffen pro mist black filter

Re: has anyone used a tiffen pro mist black filter

he he...

I took those picture with the DVX100A,

but i'm looking for even more dynamic range...

ah....the quest of "always better",,,
 
Re: has anyone used a tiffen pro mist black filter

Re: has anyone used a tiffen pro mist black filter

Doh! :o
 
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