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Blackmagic Cinema Camera, RED EPIC, and Arri Alexa RAW Camera Test Part 1: IR Pollution

02.22.13 @ 2:59PM Tags : arri, arrialexa, blackmagic, bmcc, cinemacamera, filters, infrared, lens, lenses, ndfilter, neutraldensity, red, redepic, ryanewalters

If you’ve been using a newer large sensor digital cinema camera, you may have noticed that your image takes on more reddish tones when using increased neutral density filtration. This is related to the way many of these ND filters block visible light, but let in more infrared light which can pollute the image. We’ve seen a few examples showing what IR pollution can do, and today, we have a video comparing RAW cameras, specifically the Blackmagic Cinema Camera, Arri Alexa, and RED EPIC, and how each of them handles black cloth when using IR cut filters of different strengths along with increased ND filtration.

This is a guest post by Cinematographer Ryan E. Walters. More »

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Choosing Neutral Density Filters with Infrared Protection: Necessary or Overboard?

12.30.12 @ 7:30PM Tags : arri, arrialexa, blackmagic, bmcc, c500, canon, canonc500, cinemacamera, f3, filters, infrared, lens, lenses, ndfilter, neutraldensity, red, redepic, sony, sonyf3

At this point, solid state image sensors have matched or exceeded film in a lot of ways, including light sensitivity, responsiveness to shadow detail, and overall dynamic range — but that doesn’t mean our chips aren’t susceptible to certain problems previously avoided by the nature of emulsion. Indeed, ‘sensitivity’ nowadays means something different altogether — and with the virtual necessity of neutral density filters as a result, this often means vulnerability to infrared pollution. Unless you like shooting at f/22 or you’re already using the Aaton Penelope Delta, you may also require an IR filter with your ND. AbelCine has recently shared a great rundown of which cameras suffer the most from IR pollution — and what filters work best to correct each. More »