What should I do to get rid of windshield reflections? at DVinfo.net

Leo Mandy · August 21st, 2005, 02:43 PM

I am trying to reduce the glare on my windshield and get rid of reflections - is there something I should coat the windshield with - or a filter that would help with it? Right now, I have a rig on the car and you can see the rig through the reflections, which I don't want!

Tom Wills · August 21st, 2005, 04:00 PM

Polarizer. The simple way to erase reflections. It only lets through light from certain directions. A circular Polarizer should be perfect for this.

Leo Mandy · August 21st, 2005, 04:26 PM

I tried two polarizer filters on my camera and they worked good at taking away the harsh glare, but not the 'reflections' of the rig. I have a 55mm Black PL filter that I am using. I was thinking maybe something on the actual windshield to cut down the reflections - so I can see in the car instead of just the reflections.
Does the circular polarizer let you change the amount of polarization? I only have the filter...

Henry Cho · August 21st, 2005, 10:22 PM

you'll probably need to get your hands on a matte box with a rotating filter tray. i have a tiffen ultrapol in my cavision mb that does a pretty good job taking out reflections. you can indeed rotate it to adjust the degree of effect.

Jack Smith · August 21st, 2005, 11:07 PM

Can you change the angle of camera to w/shield? or flag the w/shield?

Leo Mandy · August 22nd, 2005, 08:25 AM

The rig is built so I can't really flag the windshield. Maybe a matte box would work, but it would have to be a huge matte box. The problem is the boom arm for the camera hangs from the middle of the roof to the front hood, so I can see the boom arm in the shot. This also makes it difficult to flag - also the angle is pointing downwards as is, and thus because the windshield slopes on the same plane as the angle, I am seeing the boom holding the camera.

Peter Higginbottom · August 22nd, 2005, 01:51 PM

Hi
I have built a homemade rig out of aluminium square tube, that clamps to the headrest uprights on the centre seat of My van & rests on the dashboard.
The camcorder mounts on a pan & tilt head high up & close to the windscreen(windshield), because it is close to the glass, less reflections, (clean the screen) auto focus works well also.
No filters needed so far, good quality pictures, to My eyes at least.
Plus the rear controls on the camcorder are easy to access.

Hope this helps.

Regards.

Peter.

Stephanie Wilson · August 22nd, 2005, 05:21 PM

Hello there,

There is a spray can anti-reflective product that you can try applying directly on the windshield. I have used it in the past for cutting down glare and reflections on picture glass. May not work for your purposes, but it may be worth a shot as it isn't a big investment.

Good luck,

Stephanie

Charles Papert · August 22nd, 2005, 06:53 PM

Mandy:

A top-quality polarizer should virtually eliminate all reflections from a windshield, including your boom arm. I recommend the Schneider Tru-Pol.

Barring this, you might try painting or wrapping the boom in white or sky blue material which will help it disappear against the sky in whatever reflection is left. If you are still unable to eliminate the reflection, your next recourse would be to fly a solid over or under the boom arm. If the point of the roof-mounted arm is to be able to swing around to the side of the car during a shot, obviously this will be an issue as you have noted; otherwise, it's just a bit messy rigging job especially if the car will be travelling at a good clip.

Leo Mandy · August 23rd, 2005, 06:54 AM

Thanks for the painting the boom arm tip - I am going to try that.

Also, Stephanie, do you remeber the name of the product that stops reflections? Or the line of products? Would a glass place have it?

Stephanie Wilson · August 23rd, 2005, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mandy Leo

Thanks for the painting the boom arm tip - I am going to try that.

Also, Stephanie, do you remeber the name of the product that stops reflections? Or the line of products? Would a glass place have it?

Dear Mandy,

Thanks for considering my suggestion. Unfortunately I used this product many years ago and the brain cells have taken a beating so I can't remember the product name. I do know that we used to find it at art supply stores.

Bravo to you for taking on such a challenging shot. Please let us all know how you finally solved the problem and how you liked the final product.

Best to you,

Steph

August 21st, 2005, 02:43 PM	#1
Leo Mandy Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 749	What should I do to get rid of windshield reflections? I am trying to reduce the glare on my windshield and get rid of reflections - is there something I should coat the windshield with - or a filter that would help with it? Right now, I have a rig on the car and you can see the rig through the reflections, which I don't want!

August 22nd, 2005, 06:53 PM	#9
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Mandy: A top-quality polarizer should virtually eliminate all reflections from a windshield, including your boom arm. I recommend the Schneider Tru-Pol. Barring this, you might try painting or wrapping the boom in white or sky blue material which will help it disappear against the sky in whatever reflection is left. If you are still unable to eliminate the reflection, your next recourse would be to fly a solid over or under the boom arm. If the point of the roof-mounted arm is to be able to swing around to the side of the car during a shot, obviously this will be an issue as you have noted; otherwise, it's just a bit messy rigging job especially if the car will be travelling at a good clip. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

August 21st, 2005, 04:00 PM	#2
Tom Wills Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 326	Polarizer. The simple way to erase reflections. It only lets through light from certain directions. A circular Polarizer should be perfect for this.

August 21st, 2005, 04:26 PM	#3
Leo Mandy Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 749	I tried two polarizer filters on my camera and they worked good at taking away the harsh glare, but not the 'reflections' of the rig. I have a 55mm Black PL filter that I am using. I was thinking maybe something on the actual windshield to cut down the reflections - so I can see in the car instead of just the reflections. Does the circular polarizer let you change the amount of polarization? I only have the filter...

August 21st, 2005, 10:22 PM	#4
Henry Cho Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 516	you'll probably need to get your hands on a matte box with a rotating filter tray. i have a tiffen ultrapol in my cavision mb that does a pretty good job taking out reflections. you can indeed rotate it to adjust the degree of effect.

August 21st, 2005, 11:07 PM	#5
Jack Smith Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: ontario Posts: 445	Can you change the angle of camera to w/shield? or flag the w/shield?

August 22nd, 2005, 08:25 AM	#6
Leo Mandy Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 749	The rig is built so I can't really flag the windshield. Maybe a matte box would work, but it would have to be a huge matte box. The problem is the boom arm for the camera hangs from the middle of the roof to the front hood, so I can see the boom arm in the shot. This also makes it difficult to flag - also the angle is pointing downwards as is, and thus because the windshield slopes on the same plane as the angle, I am seeing the boom holding the camera.

August 22nd, 2005, 01:51 PM	#7
Peter Higginbottom Regular Crew Join Date: May 2002 Location: Wakefield.West Yorkshire. Posts: 45	Hi I have built a homemade rig out of aluminium square tube, that clamps to the headrest uprights on the centre seat of My van & rests on the dashboard. The camcorder mounts on a pan & tilt head high up & close to the windscreen(windshield), because it is close to the glass, less reflections, (clean the screen) auto focus works well also. No filters needed so far, good quality pictures, to My eyes at least. Plus the rear controls on the camcorder are easy to access. Hope this helps. Regards. Peter.

August 22nd, 2005, 05:21 PM	#8
Stephanie Wilson Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sherman Oaks CA Posts: 255	Hello there, There is a spray can anti-reflective product that you can try applying directly on the windshield. I have used it in the past for cutting down glare and reflections on picture glass. May not work for your purposes, but it may be worth a shot as it isn't a big investment. Good luck, Stephanie

August 23rd, 2005, 06:54 AM	#10
Leo Mandy Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 749	Thanks for the painting the boom arm tip - I am going to try that. Also, Stephanie, do you remeber the name of the product that stops reflections? Or the line of products? Would a glass place have it?