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rage2
05-03-2004, 06:47 PM
For anyone that gives a damn... just picked up a ND4 filter for my HD camcorder... wow, what a difference it makes in uncontrolled light scenes. It's almost magical. Screenshots are lightly enhanced with the usual software filters, no color correction.

Outside shot, no filter:
http://www.virgeweb.com/rage2/hdnd4/outside-nofilter.jpg

Same shot, with the ND4. The sun setting on the condos actually look like the way it should with the reddish color:
http://www.virgeweb.com/rage2/hdnd4/outside-nd4filter.jpg

Indoor shot, no filter:
http://www.virgeweb.com/rage2/hdnd4/inside-nofilter.jpg

Same shot, with the ND4. HUGE difference, especially with the sun lit area on the pool table:
http://www.virgeweb.com/rage2/hdnd4/inside-nd4filter.jpg

Guess it's time to pick up the entire set of ND's. Very surprised at how effective it is in balancing overlit areas.

For anyone that cares about the video version of those images, here it is. Really boring, don't download it unless you want to see the 4 comparisons projected at full res:
http://www.virgeweb.com/rage2/hdnd4/nd4filter.zip

Redlyne_mr2
05-04-2004, 12:37 AM
That filter really makes a difference, the original pics look like the quality of pics my cell phone takes, so much more clarity afterwards. Off topic how do you manage to play pool with you pool table so close to the fireplace and window. It reminds me of that Seinfeld episode where Mr. Kostanza turns George's old bedroom into a billiard room:rofl:

nismodrifter
05-04-2004, 01:49 AM
Originally posted by Redlyne_mr2
It reminds me of that Seinfeld episode where Mr. Kostanza turns George's old bedroom into a billiard room:rofl:

hahahha greatest episode ever!!!!! :rofl:

filter makes a HUGE difference....colors look so much better

rc2002
05-04-2004, 09:17 AM
I don't know anything about cameras - Is this filter only software or is it an actual physical filter? And how does it work that there's no colour correction? The colours almost look different in the first two pictures.

rage2
05-04-2004, 10:26 AM
It's a physical filter. The job of the filter is to neutralize the density of the light coming in from the shot (thus a neutral density or ND filter) without introducing a color shift. In the outdoor picture, there's actually no color shift. What happens is that the sun is hitting the condos, and the brightness of the area in the shot washes out the colors. With the ND filter in place, it balances the light in that area, thus the camera's ccd can correctly capture the color information.

In the pool table picture, it's MUCH more noticable, where the sun is shining on the pool table. On the unfiltered pic, it's completely washed out. On the filtered pic, you can actually see the color of the pink ball on the table.

Oh, and I have a little midget cue for shots from the fireplace side hehe.

Ben
05-04-2004, 11:06 AM
Thats awesome rage! Looks like we'll have some kick ass videos upcoming here. Do you have any other filters?

rage2
05-04-2004, 11:10 AM
Just that and a circular polorizer, which isn't really useful except in a few situations.

Ben
05-04-2004, 11:52 AM
Awesome. Taking it to VUB? Do you still have your other ca (sony)?

dkny_stylez
05-05-2004, 08:07 AM
the first original looks better, but for the second pic the ND4 is better only because of the lighting difference

hyperwhite
05-05-2004, 04:38 PM
ya, the first one with the houses looks better IMO. but in the pool room the filter is much better.

rage2
05-05-2004, 04:46 PM
I guess you have to know what color the condos were in order to make a judgement on if it's better hehe. They look nothing like the first picture :).

/////AMG
05-05-2004, 05:49 PM
Sweet! Looks great.

I think the first pic with the filter looks way better and you can tell the sun is setting or rising(was it?)