Filter suggestions for XL2 at DVinfo.net

Alex Hall · March 14th, 2007, 05:32 PM

I am looking into purchasing some 4x4 filters. Does anyone know of any good kits or individual filters? What filters work best with the XL2?

Rainer Hoffmann · March 15th, 2007, 01:25 AM

Hi Alex,

for a start I would recommend a circular polarizer and one or two graduated ND filters, e.g. 0.3 and 0.6. If you can't afford both NDs, I suggest you go for the 0.6 as it seems more useful than the 0.3 (just my feeling). The graduated ND filters usually come in two versions: soft edge and hard edge. Personally I find the hard edge filters more useful.

I bought Schneider filters. They are very good but awfully expensive. But they will probably outlast my XL2 by many years.

Jack Barker · March 15th, 2007, 08:36 AM

Alex,

I use 4x4s by Formatt, who also make a decent affordable aluminum matte box to put them in. It has one fixed stage and one rotatable stage.

The filter glass is by Schott, the German optical company, and is gorgeous. The one filter I would put above all the others, is the Polarizer. I've even been known to use it on interiors.
http://www.formatt.co.uk/glass/filter_polariser.asp
I also use Black Supermist and Clear Supermists to add a bit of softness to the image.
http://www.formatt.co.uk/glass/filter_smist.asp
And another filter I like very much, is the Warm Tone Enhancing Filter (Skin Tone Enhancer). It really does make your talent look better, especially after a long winter of pale skin.

The filters and matte box are distributed in the U.S. by Bogen, and can be purchased at B&H, among other places.
Filters: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...t&ci=1&ac=&Sub
Matte Box: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont....y=8&Submit=Go
This is a picture of my XL2 rig.

Richard Rock · March 15th, 2007, 10:42 AM

Deleted my post.

March 14th, 2007, 05:32 PM	#1
Alex Hall New Boot Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Morehead Kentucky Posts: 8	Filter suggestions for XL2 I am looking into purchasing some 4x4 filters. Does anyone know of any good kits or individual filters? What filters work best with the XL2?

March 15th, 2007, 01:25 AM	#2
Rainer Hoffmann Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Syke, Germany Posts: 249	Hi Alex, for a start I would recommend a circular polarizer and one or two graduated ND filters, e.g. 0.3 and 0.6. If you can't afford both NDs, I suggest you go for the 0.6 as it seems more useful than the 0.3 (just my feeling). The graduated ND filters usually come in two versions: soft edge and hard edge. Personally I find the hard edge filters more useful. I bought Schneider filters. They are very good but awfully expensive. But they will probably outlast my XL2 by many years. __________________ Keep rolling Rainer

March 15th, 2007, 08:36 AM	#3
Jack Barker Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 342	Alex, I use 4x4s by Formatt, who also make a decent affordable aluminum matte box to put them in. It has one fixed stage and one rotatable stage. The filter glass is by Schott, the German optical company, and is gorgeous. The one filter I would put above all the others, is the Polarizer. I've even been known to use it on interiors. http://www.formatt.co.uk/glass/filter_polariser.asp I also use Black Supermist and Clear Supermists to add a bit of softness to the image. http://www.formatt.co.uk/glass/filter_smist.asp And another filter I like very much, is the Warm Tone Enhancing Filter (Skin Tone Enhancer). It really does make your talent look better, especially after a long winter of pale skin. The filters and matte box are distributed in the U.S. by Bogen, and can be purchased at B&H, among other places. Filters: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...t&ci=1&ac=&Sub Matte Box: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont....y=8&Submit=Go This is a picture of my XL2 rig. Last edited by Jack Barker; November 20th, 2007 at 10:05 AM.

March 15th, 2007, 10:42 AM	#4
Richard Rock New Boot Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 18	Deleted my post. __________________ Richard Rock - Director/Cinematographer http://www.RickRock.com Last edited by Richard Rock; March 15th, 2007 at 11:00 AM. Reason: Misread previous post.