Matt Wall
September 25th, 2007, 02:40 PM
Hi guys,
I am very new to all this filming lark, so bare with me.
I have just brought some filters for my X1, they screw onto the thread directly onto the X1's lens. I have been shooting a band with lights directed straight at the camera which results in the filter reflecting the X1's internal lenes.
How can i stop this?
Thanks
Matt
Boyd Ostroff
September 25th, 2007, 02:50 PM
What's an X1? Do you mean Z1 perhaps? :-)
That's an inherent problem when using a filter and shooting towards a light source. Why do you need the filters? Generally speaking they can only degrade the image so try to avoid using them unless it's absolutely necessary. Also, since the small chips in camcorders have huge depth of field, any dust or smudges on the filter can also show up in your recording, which is another reason to try and avoid their use.
If you absolutely must use filters then look at matte boxes or lens shades which can shade the optics from the bright lights.
Matt Wall
September 25th, 2007, 03:34 PM
No X1 as in Sony HDR-FX1E.
I don't have to use the filters, it was just somthing i noticed when i was experimenting and i was just wondering weather or not i could get rid of it.
Thanks for the reply.
Matt
Boyd Ostroff
September 25th, 2007, 03:52 PM
No X1 as in Sony HDR-FX1E.
Ah, OK I get it :-) Never saw anyone refer to an FX1 that way before!
Serena Steuart
September 25th, 2007, 06:12 PM
Shooting straight into lights will nearly always show internal reflections in the lens itself, so unless you're wanting that effect it's necessary to control lights shining directly into the lens (use matte box, flags, etc).
Most people keep a filter on the lens to protect it from accidental damage; a scratched filter is much much cheaper to replace. But that doesn't mean you have to have the filter in place all the time.
Duncan Craig
September 29th, 2007, 12:55 PM
The obvious answer is to shoot with a larger iris aperture.
The internal reflections will be more out of focus.
Or, Try to buy better filter (better coatings)
Or, don't point into the light...
Personally I use full size square filters in a Vocas wide matte box on my Z1, but it's a very pricey option.