stocking diffusion filter at DVinfo.net

Michael Buendia · February 13th, 2003, 09:32 PM

does anyone know of a good brand of stockings to make a home made diffusion filter? i've read that it's best to use a neutral color like beige or gray. does anyone have any recommendations?

mb4

Ken Tanaka · February 13th, 2003, 11:37 PM

I think that Control-Top pantyhose work best.

Just kidding. But I would advise that if you plan to use this with tungsten lights you should consider using different material. Most cheap leggings are made from synthetic fibers that will not hold-up to the heat of these lights.

Michael Buendia · February 14th, 2003, 01:28 AM

not for the lights! i'm planning on placing it behind the lens of my works dvcam (dxc-d30). i need to soften the image on some of the promos i shoot with some of the female news anchors. unfortunately, there is no budget so i must make my own home made diffusion filters.

mb4

Jeff Donald · February 14th, 2003, 07:04 AM

The different colors will effect the color of your highlights and edges. Colors I've used with satisfactory results are white, black, grey and nude. It will require some experimentation. The advantage of video over film is the immediate feedback. Look at your results with a monitor and you'll see the difference between the colors.

Boyd Ostroff · February 14th, 2003, 07:53 AM

Something else to look at, if you're using Final Cut Pro. There's a free plug-in filter from Eureka called "silk stocking". It can produce some nice results. This would let you experiment with different effects instead of permanently recording a real stocking on your tape. They also have some other free plug-ins that you can download from here: http://www.digitalfilmtree.com/EuPlugins.html. The website warns that they have only been tested with FCP 1.0, however I've used the silkstocking effect on FCP 3 without problems.

Mike Rehmus · February 14th, 2003, 10:34 AM

Are you concerned with softening facial features?

If so, I think that camera has a flesh-tone setup that will lower the sharpness of whatever tone you designate.

Another approach is to use a Pro-Mist filter that will soften detail and smooth out contrast.

Wayne Orr · February 14th, 2003, 01:56 PM

Be careful placing nets behind a lens, as this will affect the back focus adjustment. After placing the net behind the lens you should backfocus the lens carefully at wide open. Then don't forget to do it again when you take the net off.

Charles Papert · February 15th, 2003, 08:48 PM

One of the classic film stockings is by Fogal, and the particular product is Noblesse. Be advised that it is not cheap--around $70 a pair. It has a particularly fine mesh and minimal stray hairs, unlike cheap stockings.

Joe Carney · February 21st, 2003, 08:15 PM

try this site
http://www.vidpro.org/tricks.htm

lots of inexpensive ideas, including home made softboxes and a neat idea on how to use Nylon stockings as a filter.

be interesting to hear about cheap tricks from other pros.

February 13th, 2003, 09:32 PM	#1
Michael Buendia Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: los angeles, california Posts: 71	stocking diffusion filter does anyone know of a good brand of stockings to make a home made diffusion filter? i've read that it's best to use a neutral color like beige or gray. does anyone have any recommendations? mb4

February 13th, 2003, 11:37 PM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	I think that Control-Top pantyhose work best. Just kidding. But I would advise that if you plan to use this with tungsten lights you should consider using different material. Most cheap leggings are made from synthetic fibers that will not hold-up to the heat of these lights. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

February 14th, 2003, 07:04 AM	#4
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	The different colors will effect the color of your highlights and edges. Colors I've used with satisfactory results are white, black, grey and nude. It will require some experimentation. The advantage of video over film is the immediate feedback. Look at your results with a monitor and you'll see the difference between the colors. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

February 14th, 2003, 10:34 AM	#6
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Are you concerned with softening facial features? If so, I think that camera has a flesh-tone setup that will lower the sharpness of whatever tone you designate. Another approach is to use a Pro-Mist filter that will soften detail and smooth out contrast. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

February 14th, 2003, 01:56 PM	#7
Wayne Orr Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Northridge Ca Posts: 734	Be careful placing nets behind a lens, as this will affect the back focus adjustment. After placing the net behind the lens you should backfocus the lens carefully at wide open. Then don't forget to do it again when you take the net off. __________________ Wayne If it was easy, they'd get a relative to do it.

February 14th, 2003, 01:28 AM	#3
Michael Buendia Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: los angeles, california Posts: 71	not for the lights! i'm planning on placing it behind the lens of my works dvcam (dxc-d30). i need to soften the image on some of the promos i shoot with some of the female news anchors. unfortunately, there is no budget so i must make my own home made diffusion filters. mb4

February 14th, 2003, 07:53 AM	#5
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,798	Something else to look at, if you're using Final Cut Pro. There's a free plug-in filter from Eureka called "silk stocking". It can produce some nice results. This would let you experiment with different effects instead of permanently recording a real stocking on your tape. They also have some other free plug-ins that you can download from here: http://www.digitalfilmtree.com/EuPlugins.html. The website warns that they have only been tested with FCP 1.0, however I've used the silkstocking effect on FCP 3 without problems.

February 15th, 2003, 08:48 PM	#8
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	One of the classic film stockings is by Fogal, and the particular product is Noblesse. Be advised that it is not cheap--around $70 a pair. It has a particularly fine mesh and minimal stray hairs, unlike cheap stockings. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

February 21st, 2003, 08:15 PM	#9
Joe Carney Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Centreville Va Posts: 1,828	try this site http://www.vidpro.org/tricks.htm lots of inexpensive ideas, including home made softboxes and a neat idea on how to use Nylon stockings as a filter. be interesting to hear about cheap tricks from other pros.