Would it make sense to use a black pro mist type filter on the FX1/Z1 if shooting in HDV mode? Does that kind of defeat the purpose of shooting in higher defintion in the first place?

All filters by definition 'degrade' the image. But 'degrade' it in what way? A creative way? Is it the look you want? Film has more definition than any HD camera, and ProMist filters are often used to achieve a particular look.

Megapixels, lines of definition... these are not the be all and end all for the measure of a 'good looking image'.

If it works, use it.

I think the ProMist looks GREAT on the front of the Z1. I've been playing with one over the weekend. It's definitely a different look, and of course, it's entirely independent of the resolution. In other words, no, it doesn't negate your greater resolution.

What kind of look exactly does a Black Pro Mist give you?

I found a couple of things on it, but it really didn't help me get a good feel for what its doing to the image.

Just a softer, overall look. Make sure your sharpening is set to less than 10 for the best overall look. Use PLENTY of light to make this effect come on strong.

Oh ok. Thanks for the help!

<<<-- Originally posted by Douglas Spotted Eagle : Just a softer, overall look. Make sure your sharpening is set to less than 10 for the best overall look. Use PLENTY of light to make this effect come on strong. -->>>

Douglas,

Which "type" of black pro mist are you using? Do you like the "Warm Black Pro Mist"?

You have to be careful with diffusion filters on a camera with such a wide-angle lens -- it's possible to get the surface of the filter in focus in your shot.

Pro-mists, soft-nets, and filters like that have an imbedded pattern in them. Using a 4.5mm wide-angle lens, outdoors, at f/8 or so, will almost guarantee that the filter will be in focus, and the results won't look convincing at all! So when using something like a pro-mist, try to keep your aperture open, or keep zoomed in some, or (preferably) both.

yeah, I should have offered that. I tend to shoot on the wide aperture side because it helps me w/DOF, and so filter surface is never a problem. Keep in mind that I usually have big lights or nice outdoors.
I've got the Blackmist 3, I don't use the warm at all. I bought one with the straight Black Mist, but rarely use it for anything but training as an illustration tool.

Is there a particular brand of filter that is the best?

At NAB 2004 these guys were saying how their filters are better than other brands.

http://www.formatt.co.uk/glass/default.asp

By the way, I just picked up your Vegas 5 Editing Workshop :)

<<<-- Originally posted by Greg Jacobson : Is there a particular brand of filter that is the best?

At NAB 2004 these guys were saying how their filters are better than other brands.

http://www.formatt.co.uk/glass/default.asp
-->>>


If I am not wrong Tiffen was the one the designed the black mist filters first. They are my first choice.

Formatt should be good too, so you may decide upon them on price terms, as glass quality is probably good on both.


Carlos

In the XL1s I recently acquired I found a package containing a "Tiffen 72mm Black Pro-Mist 1/2 usa".

I looked it up and it looks like these filters came in 3 varying degrees of softening. They are labled Pro-Mist 1-3. However mine says 1/2. Anyone know what that means?

Thanks again.

It's 1/2 the strength of the BPM 1.

Straight out of the crave this post.......4 years

BTW very interesting thanks!