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I mentioned in an earlier thread that I had been experimenting with some video light filters with the objective of finding a better balance between underwater ambient light and the broader (red) spectrum of artificial video lights. Here is the problem, obvious in the screenshot below: the area covered by the video light has a lot of warm colour (reds and yellows) but the background is all greenish-blue. Colour-correcting this scene is either a compromise or a complex exercise of selective secondary colour-corrections. I think that I've found a cheap DIY system that can solve this problem and can be tuned to most underwater ambient light circumstances. The main component is a 4x4 filter holder made by Lee Filters. It's all plastic and rubber so nothing to rust. $20USD each at BH Photo: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/162544-REG/LEE_Filters_GS_Gel_Snap_4x4_Filter.html Here is the holder with an aqua filter (the same filter that I used in the shot further below) The slip-on rubber-band mounting system enables it to fit on most underwater video lights. I use them on a pair of iTorch 7s but they also fit the Keldan Luma4s. Here is folder mounted on the iTorch7. It can be "wriggled on" easy enough and will not easily fall off - although I do take them off when getting into and out of the water so that they don't get bumped off. The filters are pieces of plastic that I cut from document folders that I bought in stationery shops. I wandered around a few shops until I had found a mix of light blue, dark blue, aqua (green-blue) etc. The firmer document folder covers work best. I also cut some uncoloured plastic squares that are a neutral colour but make a nice diffuser for softer macro lighting for night dives. You can take a few different shades of the colour filters on each dive but I find that I can usually judge from the surface what I will need. The technique is simply to look at the colour of the water and select a filter that is the closest match. If the water looks tropical blue, use a blue filter; if it looks greenish, use an aqua coloured filter. So, here is the result. This is the same scene as above, shot with the aqua filter on both lights then quickly colour-corrected in FCPX to reduce the green and boost the reds. To my eyes, this image is very close to what it looked like underwater last week in Lembeh. (the coconut octopus inside the drink bottle is guarding eggs and in the last few days of her life). I have also used the same system in the deep blue waters of North Komodo, where a light blue filter worked best. So for $40, some time wandering around stationery shops and a little bit of scissor work, you can make a video light filter system that will enable you to balance ambient and artificial light in most situations. Regards Peter

I upgraded to GP 9 last month and my FLIP 7 does not fit. Due to covid this has never seen water. Backscatter has a sale now for this same unit for $89. I will part for $70. Write me at MikeLloyd888@gmail.com or call/text 719-235-3001. Will ship from Colorado.

Hello, I am looking for an advise on selection of an internal color filter(s) for Gates AX700 / Z90 housing. This housing comes with a red filter, but the filter could be changed for another color. Seller recommended me to buy both red filter (for blue water) and pink filter (for green water), as according to him "Water conditions vary due to time of day, currents and particulate in the water." Among other recommendations on internet, here is a typical recommendation: Pink Filter (for use in green water), OrangeFilter (for use at depth up to 15m), Red Filter (for use at depth of 15m or deeper). Could anyone recommend a good article on color filter selection for UW videography? I am diving only in warm water, i.e. Indonesia, Philippines, Caribbean, etc. Also, Gates' color filters are quite expensive ($138US), so I would like to know if there is another manufacturer of good 'pro' quality color filter elements? Thank you for your recommendations.

Hi, Did anybody have any luck ordering URPRO filters from the net online? Their site still uses the old fashion fax order

Here is my first video using Sony camcorder HXR-NX80 taken during the last diving trip in Philippines this August: https://youtu.be/XZ2JvM6JXkI I have not mastered this camera yet, and on a few occasions I inadvertently used wrong settings (i.e. the internal ND filter was on on a few dives). Also, playing with different settings and filters resulted in some color inconsistencies between different clips. While I am still trying to master this camera, I will greatly appreciate constructive criticism and recommendations. The following equipment was used to make this video: Camera: Sony camcorder HXR-NX80 Housing: Gates AX700 / Z90 with Gates GP34A Wide Angle Port and internal UR Pro Red Filter (on most dives) and UR Pro Pink Filter (on a few dives) Tripod: Gates Tripod Diopters: SAGA +5 Diopter Achromatic Close-Up Macro Lens, and SAGA +10 Diopter Achromatic Close-Up Macro Lens Video Lights: Keldan Video 8X 11,000 Lumen CRI 92 (5400K) with Keldan Ambient Filter M1 (10-20m) for 4X/8X Camera Settings: 4K, 30 FPS, Picture Profile: BT709. I followed the following article for recommended camera settings: AX700-Z90-Housing-Recommended-Settings-R2.pdf In my decision to buy this camera and housing, I followed an advise from Juan Monterey, who convinced me through his articles that this Sony camcorder is one of the best cameras for underwater videography: http://wetpixel.es/mi-actual-equipo-submarino/ As I am shooting only videos, I found many advantages of going with this camcorder and the Gates housing, including but not limited to the following: No need to carry several lenses. With one wide angle dome and diopters you could shoot wide angle and macro on the same dive. Very good and fast auto focus Very easy (one-button touch) white balance setup. Ability to use HLG - Hybrid Log Gamma (In the future for me) Battery is good for four dives (about 4 hrs) One things that puzzled me with this Gates housing is providing a control knob for ND filters, as I have never been in a situation yet when there is too much light under water. Maybe someone could enlighten me about this. For all footage above water I was using iPhone X. Hope to hear your comments and recommendations on how to improve my videos. Many thanks and cheers.

Like new, never used. Comes with the hard shell case. $45 shipped via USPS priority to the US, message me for international. Thanks! Lyle

For Sale, two unused Magic filter gels for blue water: 1x MN10.5 for the Nikkor 10.5 DX Fisheye - £15 plus postage 1x M77-s for a 77mm filter size lens - £20 plus postage Designed to work with white balancing, Magic filters are for ambient light shooting underwater - so with no strobe. For more info, http://www.magic-filters.com PM me if you'd like more info. These filters have never been used, never been in water!

I'll be going to Kona in a couple weeks and want to record the manta dive I'll be doing. It's a night dive but somewhat well illuminated due to many divers and snorkelers in the water shining lights on the mantas. Because of this I'm a bit unsure on the use of filters or video lights. Do I use a red filter, and do I use video lights? Anyone have experience on what will give the best results?

I have tested and used this for some time http://www.ebay.com/itm/XPRO-F500-67mm-Close-Up-Lens-Macro-lens-Super-Macro-Conversion-Lens-/280874520769?pt=Camera_Filters&hash=item41656d10c1 mostly using the 49mm on my Nex camera lenses. Images: http://images5.fotop.net/albums7/herbridge/Sipadan_2013/DSC2238.jpg I wonder if this can be used underwater

I scratched the original red filter on my GoPro Flip 3 filter beyond repair. So I purchased the new Flip 3.1 filter with the MacroMate Mini lens. I have used the Macromate mini lens once and have decided that it is not for me, if I'm going to do macro I'm going to use my SLR. So I have an original Flip 3 filter with Nightsea Filter (the filter is unused, unscratched and still wrapped in the protective paper. I also have the MacroMate Mini lens and the 55mm threaded adapter. After $50 for the Flip 3 plus the Nightsea filter. After $90 for the MacroMate and Filter. For people looking at getting both the MacroMate will only fit the Flip 3 if you buy a top flip. Open to reasonable offers. Postage free in Australia or US.

I'm selling a URPro Color correcting filter, used for restoring color in natural light images. The filter's optical plastic is in great condition, while the rim shows obvious signs of wear. Price is $50, shipping included to US destinations. Thanks for looking.

I'm looking to get a 67mm filter. I'm wondering if anyone has experience comparing the two. The Magic Filter (Auto-Magic) is $20 more expensive than the 10Bar. The filter will be used for video and custom white balance. If the Magic Filter is better, how so? Thanks!

Hi all, just finish reading Alex's old article about strobe filter to affect blue water color: The article is here. One of the sample that caught my attention is the comparison: That lead me to the question. The Inon Z2400 is 5500K, while the YS-D1 is 5600K. If I were to attach a gel filter on the YS-D1, which one should I get? I'm also getting a bit confuse while reading the article. So to get the kind of blue in the picture on the right, I need to warm it up (to about 4300K?). If that's the case, would a filter be easier, or manual white balance to a Kelvin that's warmer then the strobe (not custom white balance on a slate). By the way, the kind of blue I get is more on the left side of the sample, I thought it was because the sun was not behind me, and I don't have a magic filter. Thought? PS: I know Lightroom/Photoshop can adjust the blue, but I would rather get it right in the first place instead of spend days in front of the computer, and also I may switch to a camera that doesn't have RAW feature, using a Panasonic LX-7 now.

Is there a good and easy solution to use a redfilter with the lumix 7-14 lense inside a UW-Housing without tu much handicraft work?

Selling two Hoya 58mm Camera Lens Filters. The first one is a Hoya UV(o) Glass Filter and the second picture is a Hoya Polarizing Glass Filter. Both have maybe been used twice each. Selling them for $20 each. If interested you can pay me via paypal or call Clark 310-nine 7 seven - 6 1 zero nine

http://wp.me/p2QoIB-2O Inside: Wide angle and filter The dreaded White Balance Error 9900 Inon AD lenses test and adapters