True-Cut 750 IR or Combo NDIR on Red One or Epic?

[Adnan Siddiqui]

What's the best option to use with R1 or Epic: Standalone ND plus a True-Cut IR or a Combo NDIR?

I own a 6.6x6.6 Schneider IRND1.2 and am not sure if I should just sell it and get a combo Schneider IRND Platinum or keep it and just buy the Schneider True-Cut 750 IR?

Much appreciated.

Adnan

 

[Blair S. Paulsen]

I have been using the Schneider Tru-cut 750 in front of regular NDs with on R1 and Epic with great results.

Be aware that tests show that different camera designs handle IR and near IR differently which has led some people to select specific IR control filtration to match the camera - see Schneider Platinum IRND and Alexa.

If I understand the situation correctly the manufacturers are constrained in how they manage IR (and perhaps more critically near-IR wavelengths) with the filter that lives right in front of the sensor (typically combined with an OLPF on a bayer design in a laminated "sandwich") due to sensitivity issues and potential loss of reddish hues in skin tones in low light. It's kind of like a "first do no harm" philosophy which strikes me as the right approach.

In any case, I like the flexibility of using NDs to control the stop and filters like IR cuts to control spectral anomalies. Others prefer a set of ND/IR combo filters that match the amount of spectral compensation to the amount of light being stopped. FWIW I think we are still early in the development curve for sensor pre-filters and compensation strategies in the decode as the manufacturers look for ways to maximize sensitivity, hold pleasing skin tones and still avoid IR pollution skewing tonal response. In fact, I expect we will see further refinement in the manufacturing of the actual CFA cells to improve consistency and transmissivity which will likely lead to complimentary improvements in the design and materials of the OLPF/IR sensor pre-filter.

Cheers - #19