Filters & White Balance at DVinfo.net

Todd Moen · March 17th, 2004, 07:22 PM

Hey Guys,
I've been searching the threads for more info, but really can't find myself a straight answer. OK, I use The PD150 with a Polorizer at all times. I also have a Tiffen 812 that is stacked with the Polorized filter. I usually always keep those two together, on at all times.
Now as far as white balancing goes, (I'm always outdoors so the outdoor White Balance sun setting is always on) this is what I've found from reading other threads...The polorized filter will not be cancled out but the 812 filter will be. Is that right?
Secondly, I do have a Tiffen clear UV filter that I never use because most people say to use this for protection, well I already have to filters stacked protecting the lens, so is there any other reason why I should use this uv filter, does it really cut down on the heat? Any ideas?

Thanks a lot for your time everybody,

Todd

Mike Rehmus · March 17th, 2004, 09:36 PM

Stacking filters has never been considered a good idea unless you really need the combined effects of multiple filters. But any filter does degrade the image.

Is there some reason you keep the polarizer on all the time? It really cuts down on light transmission.

Manual White Balance can be affected by it because it delivers more saturated colors. If you can see them, so can the camera. Whether you want to do that or not is up to you.

The 812 will not be neutralized since you use the preset white balance. It would if you used manual White Balance.

Putting a third filter on is unnecessary. The UV filter doesn't really filter out anything that can be seen with any degree of sensitivity by the CCDs. It is essentially a clear piece of glass as far as a CCD is concerned.

IR Filtering is built into the camera. It is not removable.

Todd Moen · March 17th, 2004, 10:00 PM

Well Mike,
I guess for one I find myself around water quite a bit. I only spend time with the camera outdoors and being able to turn the sky that deep blue is really important.
It seem the 812 is just nice for warming the scene up a bit. Are these two a bad combo? Should stay away from the polorizer a bit?
I like that filter so much just because I'm around water a lot!
I guess I should try taking it off as it might surprise me!

Charles Papert · March 18th, 2004, 01:22 AM

You can recreate the effect of the 812 through judicious "cheated" white balance (warm cards or balancing with blue gel), but if it's working for you, why not. Well, the "why not" would be the possibly negative effect of stacking filters as Mike mentions. If you are not having problems with sunspot flares when shooting backlit or into the sun reflected in the water, then you are probably doing OK.

Mike Rehmus · March 18th, 2004, 04:33 PM

I'd chose to not use the 812 if I had to chose only one filter. A warm-card would be a 'cleaner' approach to getting the warm look you want. Assuming you don't want to do that in post.

March 17th, 2004, 07:22 PM	#1
Todd Moen Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Bozeman MT Posts: 51	Filters & White Balance Hey Guys, I've been searching the threads for more info, but really can't find myself a straight answer. OK, I use The PD150 with a Polorizer at all times. I also have a Tiffen 812 that is stacked with the Polorized filter. I usually always keep those two together, on at all times. Now as far as white balancing goes, (I'm always outdoors so the outdoor White Balance sun setting is always on) this is what I've found from reading other threads...The polorized filter will not be cancled out but the 812 filter will be. Is that right? Secondly, I do have a Tiffen clear UV filter that I never use because most people say to use this for protection, well I already have to filters stacked protecting the lens, so is there any other reason why I should use this uv filter, does it really cut down on the heat? Any ideas? Thanks a lot for your time everybody, Todd

March 17th, 2004, 09:36 PM	#2
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Stacking filters has never been considered a good idea unless you really need the combined effects of multiple filters. But any filter does degrade the image. Is there some reason you keep the polarizer on all the time? It really cuts down on light transmission. Manual White Balance can be affected by it because it delivers more saturated colors. If you can see them, so can the camera. Whether you want to do that or not is up to you. The 812 will not be neutralized since you use the preset white balance. It would if you used manual White Balance. Putting a third filter on is unnecessary. The UV filter doesn't really filter out anything that can be seen with any degree of sensitivity by the CCDs. It is essentially a clear piece of glass as far as a CCD is concerned. IR Filtering is built into the camera. It is not removable. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

March 18th, 2004, 01:22 AM	#4
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	You can recreate the effect of the 812 through judicious "cheated" white balance (warm cards or balancing with blue gel), but if it's working for you, why not. Well, the "why not" would be the possibly negative effect of stacking filters as Mike mentions. If you are not having problems with sunspot flares when shooting backlit or into the sun reflected in the water, then you are probably doing OK. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

March 18th, 2004, 04:33 PM	#5
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	I'd chose to not use the 812 if I had to chose only one filter. A warm-card would be a 'cleaner' approach to getting the warm look you want. Assuming you don't want to do that in post. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

March 17th, 2004, 10:00 PM	#3
Todd Moen Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Bozeman MT Posts: 51	Well Mike, I guess for one I find myself around water quite a bit. I only spend time with the camera outdoors and being able to turn the sky that deep blue is really important. It seem the 812 is just nice for warming the scene up a bit. Are these two a bad combo? Should stay away from the polorizer a bit? I like that filter so much just because I'm around water a lot! I guess I should try taking it off as it might surprise me!