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Just to stir up the pot ...a red filter is very convenient to get something quick/better, but is really unnecessary. When shooting raw or just one of the underwater settings, you are getting all the information reaching the sensor pixels. All a red colored filter can do is filter OUT information that you cannot retrieve later, it doesn't enhance anything. It also degrades the dynamic range by recording "darker" for any color that is NOT red.Same thing as an overexposed setting...anything that is "blown out" is non-retrievable... it is gone. If you have an opinion that contradicts my perspective, I might add that I worked as an optical engineer with my own lab for six years, including imaging technology, so above is NOT a debate.
Stew Corman
I agree with your statements. Filters do not add color and they make the image darker. A red filter filters out information. This is how filters work. No debate. However, a red filter filters out blue and green. The end result of using a red filter is the video looks more red to the human eye because blue and green information has been reduced. Filters have been around for a long time and plenty of people still use them today.
When you say the filter is unnecessary, is this from a science perspective or from your experiences shooting underwater video ? The video clips you posted, the colors don't look vibrant, unedited and edited. What camera did you use and what was your depth ? Photo is different than video.
Different cameras have different abilities handling low light, colors, white balance, etc.. Same goes for color editing programs. Now add in different dive conditions such as depth, water clarity, ambient light. I've been shooting underwater video for many years with several different cameras and different software editing programs. I definitely adjust color in editing, but I still use a filter.
There is a link to my videos in my signature if anyone wants to see my end results of using a filter. Various videos shot over the years, 5 different cameras. GoPro 3, Sony FX7, Panasonic LX7, Sony TRV900, Canon HV10. Editing done with Sony Vegas or Adobe Premiere. Filters used, URpro and Lee gel filter color bastard pink.
No one is forcing anyone to use or not use a filter. My choice is to use one because to my eyes, underwater video color looks better. I am not debating how filters work, I just strongly believe that for UW video, a filter is the easiest and most economical way improve color as seen by the human eye.