Artistic Lens Flare for Video, Sensor Damage Risks at DVinfo.net

Andy Corleone · February 26th, 2011, 05:45 AM

Hi, I was comisiones to shoot a Music Video,
I was told they want a lot of Lens Flares something similar to this

I'm using my 5D MKII to shoot it. I'm a bit concern about sensor damage I would like to know the risk and what to do to avoid or low them. thanks

Denis OKeefe · February 26th, 2011, 09:36 AM

use a lens flare plug in in post production. If you shoot clean well exposed images in the field you can always make them look washed out, flared, or whatever while editing.
"fixing" flare or exposure is not so simple.

Louis Maddalena · February 26th, 2011, 12:28 PM

Yeah but it wouldn't look the same as an actual real flare from the situation.

depending on the focal length of your lens, and degree of directness towards the sun, you should be fine to get some slightly lens flare from the sun with out harming your sensor. I just wouldn't shoot with a telephoto lens as that has more magnifying ability and will focus more light on your sensor increasing the odds of damage. I also would try to get the flare that the clients want with out aiming your camera too much at the sun. If possible I might even try to use a light that is color balanced to the sun out of frame aiming at the lens to further protect yourself from sensor damage.

Luc De Wandel · February 27th, 2011, 01:45 PM

Beautiful flare can be achieved with any good wide-angle, that is: without the sunshade on it. It will not harm the sensor if you expose correctly. Adding flare in post will never get you the same effect. Want even more flare? Put a dirty finger on the wide-angle's front surface... Take a look at this magnificent double flare on this shot, that I made a few years ago: Concertpix - Internatonal Artists

February 26th, 2011, 05:45 AM	#1
Andy Corleone Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: London Posts: 27	Artistic Lens Flare for Video, Sensor Damage Risks Hi, I was comisiones to shoot a Music Video, I was told they want a lot of Lens Flares something similar to this I'm using my 5D MKII to shoot it. I'm a bit concern about sensor damage I would like to know the risk and what to do to avoid or low them. thanks

February 26th, 2011, 09:36 AM	#2
Denis OKeefe Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wayne, PA Posts: 207	Re: Artistic Lens Flare for Video, Sensor Damage Risks use a lens flare plug in in post production. If you shoot clean well exposed images in the field you can always make them look washed out, flared, or whatever while editing. "fixing" flare or exposure is not so simple.

February 26th, 2011, 12:28 PM	#3
Louis Maddalena Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NYC Area. Posts: 550	Re: Artistic Lens Flare for Video, Sensor Damage Risks Yeah but it wouldn't look the same as an actual real flare from the situation. depending on the focal length of your lens, and degree of directness towards the sun, you should be fine to get some slightly lens flare from the sun with out harming your sensor. I just wouldn't shoot with a telephoto lens as that has more magnifying ability and will focus more light on your sensor increasing the odds of damage. I also would try to get the flare that the clients want with out aiming your camera too much at the sun. If possible I might even try to use a light that is color balanced to the sun out of frame aiming at the lens to further protect yourself from sensor damage. __________________ Red Epic available for rent, starting at $500 per day, Scarlets, and Lenses available too. rentals.maddalenamedia.com

February 27th, 2011, 01:45 PM	#4
Luc De Wandel Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Knokke-Heist, Belgium Posts: 963	Re: Artistic Lens Flare for Video, Sensor Damage Risks Beautiful flare can be achieved with any good wide-angle, that is: without the sunshade on it. It will not harm the sensor if you expose correctly. Adding flare in post will never get you the same effect. Want even more flare? Put a dirty finger on the wide-angle's front surface... Take a look at this magnificent double flare on this shot, that I made a few years ago: Concertpix - Internatonal Artists