What´s better? Optical Filters pre or post proccesing? at DVinfo.net

Juan Parmenides · September 29th, 2008, 11:29 AM

Hi all,
I have this dude, I know polarizing filters do a great job, but I like to explain something. I recorded a leopard in zoo protected by a heavy methacrylate glass and the transparency and contrast was really terrible due to adverse ligth. I thought that was a lost file. Anyway, at home I play a litlle with that file in Sony Vegas Video, using curves, profiles, contrast, etc. and the final result was pretty good, usable and now the file is in a family video.
Filmed with my HV 30, not a perfect focus, but enough to see the effect.
So, if you use a polarizer, what is easier?, reducing contrast and saturation got with the optical filter or raising up leves by software? What do you prefer?

Thanks

Bill Pryor · September 29th, 2008, 01:11 PM

I would use a polarizer if you have one.

Juan Parmenides · September 29th, 2008, 02:58 PM

Thanks, Bill. By the way, I have one Kenko pro polarizer 72mm from my photography gear, circular polarizer.
But I am asking the following, does the light rays go the same way to one CCD/CMOS captor from a DSLR camera that to three independent CCD , R, G, B?
A bit confused this way.

Thanks again.

Tripp Woelfel · September 29th, 2008, 03:33 PM

The answer appears to be no, based upon what I know. There's anecdotal evidence insofar as you need to use a circular polarizer with a DSLR and you can use a linear polarizer on the A1.

Rather than a bunch of us giving you dribs and drabs about the differences between the two, you'd probably be better served by checking out these links.

Digital single-lens reflex camera - Wikipedia
3 CCD Structure - Wikipedia

To answer your original question, it's generally best to get it right through the lens and then use tools in post to refine the image.

Bill Pryor · September 29th, 2008, 04:52 PM

You can use the circular polarizer with a video camera. It's just that there's no advantage over a linear one.

Juan Parmenides · September 30th, 2008, 03:27 AM

Thanks to all. I have made a little test with the Kenko polarizer attached to the Canon XH A1 and everything seems to be ok.

Cheers

September 29th, 2008, 11:29 AM	#1
Juan Parmenides Regular Crew Join Date: May 2008 Location: Canary Islands Posts: 54	What´s better? Optical Filters pre or post proccesing? Hi all, I have this dude, I know polarizing filters do a great job, but I like to explain something. I recorded a leopard in zoo protected by a heavy methacrylate glass and the transparency and contrast was really terrible due to adverse ligth. I thought that was a lost file. Anyway, at home I play a litlle with that file in Sony Vegas Video, using curves, profiles, contrast, etc. and the final result was pretty good, usable and now the file is in a family video. Filmed with my HV 30, not a perfect focus, but enough to see the effect. So, if you use a polarizer, what is easier?, reducing contrast and saturation got with the optical filter or raising up leves by software? What do you prefer? Thanks Attached Thumbnails __________________ Canon XH A1; Canon HV30; Nikon D300; Nikon D200; Sony Vegas Pro http://www.juanparmenides.com

September 29th, 2008, 02:58 PM	#3
Juan Parmenides Regular Crew Join Date: May 2008 Location: Canary Islands Posts: 54	Thanks, Bill. By the way, I have one Kenko pro polarizer 72mm from my photography gear, circular polarizer. But I am asking the following, does the light rays go the same way to one CCD/CMOS captor from a DSLR camera that to three independent CCD , R, G, B? A bit confused this way. Thanks again. __________________ Canon XH A1; Canon HV30; Nikon D300; Nikon D200; Sony Vegas Pro http://www.juanparmenides.com

September 30th, 2008, 03:27 AM	#6
Juan Parmenides Regular Crew Join Date: May 2008 Location: Canary Islands Posts: 54	Thanks to all. I have made a little test with the Kenko polarizer attached to the Canon XH A1 and everything seems to be ok. Cheers __________________ Canon XH A1; Canon HV30; Nikon D300; Nikon D200; Sony Vegas Pro http://www.juanparmenides.com

September 29th, 2008, 01:11 PM	#2
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	I would use a polarizer if you have one.

September 29th, 2008, 03:33 PM	#4
Tripp Woelfel Trustee Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North Conway, NH Posts: 1,745	The answer appears to be no, based upon what I know. There's anecdotal evidence insofar as you need to use a circular polarizer with a DSLR and you can use a linear polarizer on the A1. Rather than a bunch of us giving you dribs and drabs about the differences between the two, you'd probably be better served by checking out these links. Digital single-lens reflex camera - Wikipedia 3 CCD Structure - Wikipedia To answer your original question, it's generally best to get it right through the lens and then use tools in post to refine the image.

September 29th, 2008, 04:52 PM	#5
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	You can use the circular polarizer with a video camera. It's just that there's no advantage over a linear one.