Any experience with the Black Diffusion FX filter?? at DVinfo.net

Robert Pflugfelder · March 31st, 2004, 09:15 PM

Hi all,
I have read through a link on a post that Tiffen's Black Diffusion FX filter can offer a nicely improved picture on the XL1s. Have any of you tried this one out on the GL2? I'm looking to shoot outdoor video in sunlight...outdoor interviews as well. I thought I'd check with you all before spending the $50.00 for the filter. If you have any onther GL2 tips for shooting in sunlight I'd love to hear them as well.

PS. Thanks to all of you that post. This is my first post, and I find this site an invaluable resource.

FYI - here is the original filter article if interested:
http://www.lafcpug.org/curseofdigital_feature.html

-Robert

John Locke · March 31st, 2004, 09:22 PM

Robert,

I have it...and to be honest, I don't see anything awe-inspiring about it. I tend to play around in post a lot and I don't see that it offers anything that I can't do at that stage myself. Plus, you have to be careful about your depth of field, otherwise you'll get a checkerboard pattern.

I'll be interested in hearing what others have to say about it. I've wondered if I'm not using it under "optimum conditions/settings" since some people tend to rave about it.

Bill Ball · April 1st, 2004, 08:28 AM

I have it and have the same basic opinion as John. I have the stage 1 black diffusion for my GL2. It is subtle and maybe will reduce a wrinkle or two in a closeup. You need to pay attention to your focus. If you focus too short you will pick up the pattern from the filter. It only happens on very short focus but I wouldn't use the filter on autofocus as a result. Still, its a lot faster and less twiddly with settings to do this in camera than to try to do it in post.

It seems that many people are going with the tiffen ultra contrast filter instead. My vendor recomended it over the black diffusion. See

http://www.tiffen.com/contrast_filters.htm

Although I dont have a lot of experience, I am not a big fan of filters on video edited in a NLE. A polarizer is needed sometimes. The effects filters are ok and at $50 no big deal to purchase, but they are subtle and come with their own drawbacks (including increased flare). Yet if you use one and get it right its one less thing to fiddle with and render in post.

Graeme Nattress · April 1st, 2004, 08:35 AM

I really like the ultra contrasts - you can get some great effects with them, but they almost necesitate post processing to bring the contrast back in post, but the end result looks great.

Graeme

Ken Tanaka · April 1st, 2004, 12:03 PM

These are unique filters designed to provide just a bit more latitude when shooting high-contrast scenes.

One warning given to me by Charles Papert when I remarked on getting some UltraCons last year: their application requires a great deal of care to avoid flares. He was sure right. UltraCons can easily wash-out a shot if light falls on them from certain angles. (This is a veiling flare rather than a lens flare.)

So, by all means try out an UltraCon or two. But be sure to take plenty of time practicing and experimenting with them before shooting anything important.

Graeme Nattress · April 1st, 2004, 12:07 PM

Agreed - avoid flares! I use a matte box, and still get into bother, so be real careful!

Graeme

Robert Pflugfelder · April 1st, 2004, 05:49 PM

Thanks so much for all your input. I think I'll try out the filter, and probably ask about ways to use effects in editing (FCP 4.1) to get similar effects...that may be for another thread.

-Robert

March 31st, 2004, 09:15 PM	#1
Robert Pflugfelder New Boot Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: watertown, ma Posts: 18	Any experience with the Black Diffusion FX filter?? Hi all, I have read through a link on a post that Tiffen's Black Diffusion FX filter can offer a nicely improved picture on the XL1s. Have any of you tried this one out on the GL2? I'm looking to shoot outdoor video in sunlight...outdoor interviews as well. I thought I'd check with you all before spending the $50.00 for the filter. If you have any onther GL2 tips for shooting in sunlight I'd love to hear them as well. PS. Thanks to all of you that post. This is my first post, and I find this site an invaluable resource. FYI - here is the original filter article if interested: http://www.lafcpug.org/curseofdigital_feature.html -Robert

March 31st, 2004, 09:22 PM	#2
John Locke Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 2,882	Robert, I have it...and to be honest, I don't see anything awe-inspiring about it. I tend to play around in post a lot and I don't see that it offers anything that I can't do at that stage myself. Plus, you have to be careful about your depth of field, otherwise you'll get a checkerboard pattern. I'll be interested in hearing what others have to say about it. I've wondered if I'm not using it under "optimum conditions/settings" since some people tend to rave about it. __________________ John Locke SursumFilms.com

April 1st, 2004, 08:35 AM	#4
Graeme Nattress RED Problem Solver Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 1,365	I really like the ultra contrasts - you can get some great effects with them, but they almost necesitate post processing to bring the contrast back in post, but the end result looks great. Graeme __________________ www.nattress.com - filters for FCP

April 1st, 2004, 12:03 PM	#5
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Ultra Cons These are unique filters designed to provide just a bit more latitude when shooting high-contrast scenes. One warning given to me by Charles Papert when I remarked on getting some UltraCons last year: their application requires a great deal of care to avoid flares. He was sure right. UltraCons can easily wash-out a shot if light falls on them from certain angles. (This is a veiling flare rather than a lens flare.) So, by all means try out an UltraCon or two. But be sure to take plenty of time practicing and experimenting with them before shooting anything important. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

April 1st, 2004, 12:07 PM	#6
Graeme Nattress RED Problem Solver Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 1,365	Agreed - avoid flares! I use a matte box, and still get into bother, so be real careful! Graeme __________________ www.nattress.com - filters for FCP

April 1st, 2004, 08:28 AM	#3
Bill Ball Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NEW JERSEY Posts: 216	I have it and have the same basic opinion as John. I have the stage 1 black diffusion for my GL2. It is subtle and maybe will reduce a wrinkle or two in a closeup. You need to pay attention to your focus. If you focus too short you will pick up the pattern from the filter. It only happens on very short focus but I wouldn't use the filter on autofocus as a result. Still, its a lot faster and less twiddly with settings to do this in camera than to try to do it in post. It seems that many people are going with the tiffen ultra contrast filter instead. My vendor recomended it over the black diffusion. See http://www.tiffen.com/contrast_filters.htm Although I dont have a lot of experience, I am not a big fan of filters on video edited in a NLE. A polarizer is needed sometimes. The effects filters are ok and at $50 no big deal to purchase, but they are subtle and come with their own drawbacks (including increased flare). Yet if you use one and get it right its one less thing to fiddle with and render in post.

April 1st, 2004, 05:49 PM	#7
Robert Pflugfelder New Boot Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: watertown, ma Posts: 18	Thanks so much for all your input. I think I'll try out the filter, and probably ask about ways to use effects in editing (FCP 4.1) to get similar effects...that may be for another thread. -Robert