Hi all,
I have recently received an HC1 e and now waiting for the A1 e to become available. I want to ask the experienced videographers for hints on matte box filters.
My little project involves videography on and around sand banks, looking below the water from above and dry bush land. All of it in tropical high UV conditions. Could anyone please suggest which filters would be the most useful to have in this environment. I am not experienced with filters and I am at a loss which to choose. ND alone has several grades. pretty confusing for a novice. I have tried to find info on filter guidelines but haven't found anything yet.
regards HH

I only have an SD format camcorder, but I've had really good luck shooting in bright sunlight with an ND 4 combined with a circular polarizer.

Hubert
Filters are very important. I use the Cokin system, but Lee and others offer true 4 x 4 glass filters. I have 2 graduated ND, a 2 stop ND and a polarizing filter. I use these extensively in Africa. When filming the head of a hippo bathing in the water of the Zambeze river at mid day I use a polarizer (just enough to eliminate the water glare) and typically a 2 stop ND. With these I am able to open the lens to its widest aperature, and then to adjust the shutter speed to bring in shot to proper exposure. The head is in focus but the background is out of focus creating a very lovely shot. I would suggest at least 1 graduated ND , a 2 stop ND , a polaizer and possibly a warming filter for sunsets. Filters are the often overlooked most valuable tools for DV cameras. If your eyes need sunglasses, then so does your camera.
dkane