Filters for Red Camera

[Scott Brown]

Hi Folks

We're due to receive our redrock micro matte box shortly and I'm in the process of looking at filters for this.

Our first purchase will be ND's and from what I can gather the Pancro IR+ND's are the best option. These come in .3, .6, .9, 1.2, and 1.5 densities...I've budgeted for three of these, which would you recommend? i.e. on a day to day basis which are we most likely to need or will we really require a full set?

What other filters are essential or would you recommend? We have a limited budget at this stage, so cannot go crazy.

Also, our first lens is the Re 18-50mm zoom and I'm wondering if we should look at investing in a clear protective filter for this in case of scratches etc.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Best wishes

Scott

 

[Scott Brown]

Oops!

Also meant to ask advice of filter sizes.

We're thinking of going with 4 x 5.650 filters. Is this the best option for us? Will these work with the Red 18-85mm Lens and the majority of primes?

Many thanks

Scott

 

[Kyle Presley]

You could do with a good polarizer and maybe an ultra contrast from Tiffen.

 

[Martin Weiss]

I'd take the .9 and the 1.5 plus a Pola.

 

[Hans von Sonntag]

You need ND9, 12, 15 with IR protection and additional I would buy conventional ND6 and ND3 without IR protection.

A Pola is a must, also I would by a 81Ef for blue shadows and a 80c for shooting in tungsten environment (Red is 5.000 - 5600 K) for best DR you need these CT conversion filter.

Go 5.6 x 5.6, 4 x 5.6 might be too small for the front-lens of the upcoming 18-85, at least a 4 x 5.6 does not fit Cooke zooms.

There are many other filters of course, from grads to diffusion - but the above mentioned are daily workhorses and a must.

Hans

 

[SF Geek]

What Hans said.

 

[Scott Brown]

Thanks guys

This information is really really helpful.

Which Pola would you recommend and also with the build 16 changes will the 81Ef for blue shadows and a 80c for shooting in tungsten still be as important? Is it better to filter the camera lens than to CTB gel lights to compensate for the Red sensors daylight balance?

Hans, thanks for your advice on filter sizes etc., I think going for the 5.6 x 5.6 as suggested may be a safer option.

Thanks again

Best wishes

Scott

 

[Hans von Sonntag]

Scott,

since build 16 has lower noise it will be a less compromise to expose more to the left when trying to keep highlights from burning. In this regard the CT filters are less necessary.

However, if you look at a histogramm of a scene you shot in a blue shadow at 8.000 Kelvin without an 81 EF you will notice that on your right side of the histogram your blue channle will clip 1 stop ealier. To smooth that out and bringing back the blue channel an thus gaining DR a CT filter that converts 8000K to 5600K is required. Vice versa with CTs lower than 5600 (Red has been rated 5000K and now with Build 16 5600, I think - gonna test this) your red channel will clip earlier.

An 80C is a kind of compromise because it does not convert 3200K to 5600K but something in the middle. But it does not eat up full 2 stops as the "correct" 80A would do.

WB the RAW with filters does make a lot of sense, IMHO.

Hans

 

[Scott Brown]

Thanks Hans

I'll look into picking up a 80c filter - this is my first week with our Red and I have a BIG learning curve!!!

Best wishes

Scott

 

[Shawn Booth]

How about an Optical Flat? First one I purchased.

ND's - go with 3,6,9 for sure, but really, who needs 1.2 and higher? What are you guys shooting? I have never used, or been asked to load, any ND that large. I have stacked a 3 over a 9 - once.

Pola you need.

I use 4x5.6.

 

[Matt Garrett]

I have never used, or been asked to load, any ND that large. I have stacked a 3 over a 9 - once.
.

I use a 1.2 regularly outdoors with the red. I don't like shooting exteriors at f 11.