Ultracons in the snow? at DVinfo.net

Marco Leavitt · February 16th, 2005, 03:25 PM

I've read the previous posts on the Tiffen Ultracon filters, and I don't believe this has been answered specifically. We need to shoot a scene in the snow, which will obviously be tough for video. Would an Ultracon work here? Charles Papert has said repeatedly in the past that even ambient light will cause problems with this filter. With so much reflected light coming off the snow, I don't think even a mattebox is going to keep excessive ambient light off the filter. Has anyone used one of these things in the snow? How did it work out?

Glenn Chan · February 16th, 2005, 04:37 PM

A polarizer might help cut down the contrast ratio between subject and snow? I know polarizers help for skies, provided they are in the proper orientation.

Mark Sasahara · February 19th, 2005, 11:23 PM

If your subject is out in the snow already, the snow will be your fill light. Perhaps hard mattes on the front of the matte box would help, but I would think that the snow would cause the shadows to be washed out. I haven't used Ultra Cons, so I don't know for sure, but I have a sneaking suspicion that your blacks would be very dilute.

This could be an interesting effect, but may not be appropriate for the material at hand.

And the polarizer is good.

Charles Papert · February 20th, 2005, 05:35 AM

Actually, I think that the Ultracons should work well in the snow. As far as ambient light being a problem, I think I was previously referring to direct sunlight hitting the filter--the filter actually works best when it is struck by truly ambient light. I think that judicial use of the Ultracon may net you up to 1.5 stops more latitude.

Marco Leavitt · February 20th, 2005, 11:33 AM

Thanks everyone!

February 16th, 2005, 03:25 PM	#1
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Ultracons in the snow? I've read the previous posts on the Tiffen Ultracon filters, and I don't believe this has been answered specifically. We need to shoot a scene in the snow, which will obviously be tough for video. Would an Ultracon work here? Charles Papert has said repeatedly in the past that even ambient light will cause problems with this filter. With so much reflected light coming off the snow, I don't think even a mattebox is going to keep excessive ambient light off the filter. Has anyone used one of these things in the snow? How did it work out?

February 19th, 2005, 11:23 PM	#3
Mark Sasahara Major Player Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 649	If your subject is out in the snow already, the snow will be your fill light. Perhaps hard mattes on the front of the matte box would help, but I would think that the snow would cause the shadows to be washed out. I haven't used Ultra Cons, so I don't know for sure, but I have a sneaking suspicion that your blacks would be very dilute. This could be an interesting effect, but may not be appropriate for the material at hand. And the polarizer is good. __________________ Mark Sasahara Director of Photography

February 20th, 2005, 05:35 AM	#4
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Actually, I think that the Ultracons should work well in the snow. As far as ambient light being a problem, I think I was previously referring to direct sunlight hitting the filter--the filter actually works best when it is struck by truly ambient light. I think that judicial use of the Ultracon may net you up to 1.5 stops more latitude. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

February 16th, 2005, 04:37 PM	#2
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	A polarizer might help cut down the contrast ratio between subject and snow? I know polarizers help for skies, provided they are in the proper orientation.

February 20th, 2005, 11:33 AM	#5
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Thanks everyone!