Using filters question

L

lachefilms

Well-known member
I have a panasonixdvxb, I have a matte box (4x4) I would like to buy filters for it. Should I get the FILM LOOK kit? And if so...do all the filters go together at once to achieve the film look?
 
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]ShouldTiffen 4x4" Film Look DV Kit (Black Diffusion FX 1/2, Black Pro Mist 1/2, Warm Black Diffusion FX 1/4, Soft FX 1 and a Soft Pouch) S[/FONT]

Should I bother with filters...or just get a 35mm adapter, because these filters are about 700 dollars.
 
these filters are for special effects. unless you have a specific use for them, i wouldn't get them. most of the effects can be replicated in post anyway.
if you want a "film look", the greatest difference is colour correction and lighting.
all an adapter does is give you a shallow depth of field. this is good in some circumstances but a hindrance in others...
learn to light well, learn to colour grade and you will have images that more filmic than anything an ad-on can give you.
 
I'm confused about this filter thing and 35mm lense. Anyway, I have a mattebox, what do I do with it? I do have to buy filters for it.
 
A filter is basically used to adjust an image in camera rather than in post. In the film world, and in some cases of video, some filters are used to warm or cool or even neutralize color temperature. However, since we are talking about digital cinematography the only type of filter I would think is necessary would be a Tiffen UV filter if you shoot exteriors on a very sunny day. It cuts light down enough, not as intense as an ND filter, but protects the lense from any damage it might recieve from sunlight or just a blown out image.

Other than that using filters is a stylistic choice that you can always do in post if you have the Magic Bullet software.

I have a mattebox, and while I don't have a 35 MM adapter, yet ;), I still use it when I get the chance to, sometimes just to make the camera look more "professional". You'd be suprised the responses you get with a camera with a mattebox- it makes it look "complete".


For the 35MM lense stuff look into the forums, there's plenty of info but don't confuse the two.
 
the only filters that would give you any practical use would be
uv filers - to cut out ant excessive sun that may damage your ccd
polarizing filters - to stop glare and sun reflection on glass and water
graduated filers - to darken one side of your image - make the sky darker but keep the rest of the shot light. this is handy for sunny days.

the rest of the filters you can buy are for specific effects and styles. most of which can be replicated in post for free.

this is some info about lenses. - http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=51963

here is info on depth of field. - http://www.mediachance.com/dvdlab/dof/index.htm
 
A good selection of filters can really make a big difference in the results that you can achieve. There are many filters that can not be replicated in post, such as:

ND (a .3, .6 and .9 are great to have)
Polarizer (very helpful in a lot of situations)
ND grads soft and hard (very useful in a lot of exterior situations)
Warming filters (though many would disagree, I find these essential)
low contrast filters (not used often, but when needed, a great solution)

I always travel with a number of filters whether shooting film or video.
 
And if so...do all the filters go together at once to achieve the film look?
Click to expand...

You wouldn't want to use all those filters together because some of them do similar things (like the black diffusion and the black pro mist). I'm not sure about the soft filters but a black pro mist looks pretty nice and is used a lot, not only for film but also other stuff from corporate movies to tv interviews. I'd say if you can achieve a certain look with a filter then you save a lot of work and time in post. I also think that the less post production you have to do the better because DV is a compressed format.
 
the camera doesn't need anything specail to put a filter on it right? What excatly does a mattebox do for the camera?
 
khmuse mentioned the most common filters for Digital Cinema.

  • The polarizer reduces glare and accentuates the blue spectrum and enhances contrast within that spectrum.
  • The ND filters .3; .6; .9 can be used in addition to / instead of the integrated ND filters on your DVX to control the amount of light getting to the imager with no effect on color.
  • ND Grads allow the photographer to reign in an overblown or featureless sky (no clouds) in relation to the other elements within the frame. This filter, used in conjunction with a polarizer can really help control your contrast ratio, which is vital in most DC cameras.
I find that shooting "clear" for the most part enhances my grading options in post. Adding a convincing color gradient in post is much easier than removing one that "doesn't quite work". That's also my personal preference when it comes to inducing or reducing contrast beyond the realm of proper exposure.

The filters indicted in khmuse's post and mine are a logical starting point for a 4x4 filter kit.

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thanks for the info guys . I got my dvx for christmas and the only purchase I've made is for filters . I opted for the Tiffen photo essentials intro kit which includes uv protector ,812 color warming ,and circular polarizer for $102
After reading your comments I'm happier than ever with my purchase!
 
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