Ultracon filter? at DVinfo.net

George Su · August 2nd, 2004, 05:10 PM

has anybody used the Ultracon 3 on the DVX100 ?? I've gotten good results from the Lo-Con, and i'm wondering if the Ultracon is worth anything.

Charles Papert · August 2nd, 2004, 07:20 PM

George:

Try searching the archives under Ultra-con. We've talked plenty about this filter in the past. It's a feisty filter and can be handy, but requires some attention and experimentation.

Ken Hodson · August 5th, 2004, 07:48 PM

We use an ultraCon on our JVC HD10. It is great. It really helps to stretch the low latitude of video (blowen out whites). One trick I use is underexpose as the ultraCon will compensate, then pull up your levels in post. Don't go for a perfect image off you preview monitor. It may look dark but the ultraCon gives you lots of shades when you lift the levels later. Although HDV gives blacker blacks then DV so you may have to experiment.

Kevin Burnfield · August 8th, 2004, 09:53 AM

the film PERSONAL VELOCITY was entirely shot using an Ultra Con 1. I bought one immediately and have been pretty happy with it.

Charles Papert · August 9th, 2004, 10:27 AM

Sounds good Kevin. I would want to add to your comments that in my experience, the Ultracon is not a "set and forget" type of filter; some scenes need more or less filter strength and some don't need it at all. Panning from a high contrast area to a flatter area will mean a shift in the blacks. Also footage shot with an Ultracon will generally require color correction work to return the blacks to normal.

Kevin Burnfield · August 9th, 2004, 08:21 PM

Absolutely... I didn't mean to imply that it was a 'set and forget' filter.

I've got a couple of Ultra Cons but like the 1 the best of the bunch for a subtle effect that I get but in some situations it's not good at all.

Any more after spending the last 6 months and substantial money in learning color correction techniques and theory I've gotten fairly good at it and love being able to "crush" those blacks down. :) BUT.. it is an art form above all else.

Thanks for pointing that out, Charles.

Charles Papert · August 10th, 2004, 12:07 AM

Indeed Kevin. There is a tendency for folks to search for what we used to call a "Magic Bullet" until the software of the same name made that phrase confusing...! i.e., "which one filter can I buy to make my video look like film?" or "If I use the filter that was used on a Sundance-winning film, my film will win next year, right?" We just like to keep it real for the peeps! Thank YOU for the understanding...

Kevin Lee · August 10th, 2004, 12:15 AM

Whats with Kevins and Ultra-Con 1s.?
I've got one as well and have engaged discussions on it with Charles before.

Have yet to use it though.

Kevin Burnfield · August 10th, 2004, 05:56 AM

NO! I WAS THE FIRST Kevin !!! ;)

Charles, you know more about this stuff half asleep and mostly drunk then I ever will... I hear and obey when it comes to your insights. :) (bow)(scrape)(bow)

Charles Papert · August 10th, 2004, 06:56 AM

<<Charles, you know more about this stuff half asleep and mostly drunk>>

Ah, you've heard about my preferred work style then.

Kevin Lee · August 10th, 2004, 07:17 AM

There is a cetain fluidity in movement when one is high on yeast.

August 2nd, 2004, 05:10 PM	#1
George Su Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: BROOKLYN NY Posts: 35	Ultracon filter? has anybody used the Ultracon 3 on the DVX100 ?? I've gotten good results from the Lo-Con, and i'm wondering if the Ultracon is worth anything.

August 2nd, 2004, 07:20 PM	#2
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	George: Try searching the archives under Ultra-con. We've talked plenty about this filter in the past. It's a feisty filter and can be handy, but requires some attention and experimentation. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

August 5th, 2004, 07:48 PM	#3
Ken Hodson Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Vancouver BC Canada Posts: 1,315	We use an ultraCon on our JVC HD10. It is great. It really helps to stretch the low latitude of video (blowen out whites). One trick I use is underexpose as the ultraCon will compensate, then pull up your levels in post. Don't go for a perfect image off you preview monitor. It may look dark but the ultraCon gives you lots of shades when you lift the levels later. Although HDV gives blacker blacks then DV so you may have to experiment. __________________ Damnit Jim, I'm a film maker not a sysytems tech.

August 9th, 2004, 10:27 AM	#5
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Sounds good Kevin. I would want to add to your comments that in my experience, the Ultracon is not a "set and forget" type of filter; some scenes need more or less filter strength and some don't need it at all. Panning from a high contrast area to a flatter area will mean a shift in the blacks. Also footage shot with an Ultracon will generally require color correction work to return the blacks to normal. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

August 10th, 2004, 12:07 AM	#7
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Indeed Kevin. There is a tendency for folks to search for what we used to call a "Magic Bullet" until the software of the same name made that phrase confusing...! i.e., "which one filter can I buy to make my video look like film?" or "If I use the filter that was used on a Sundance-winning film, my film will win next year, right?" We just like to keep it real for the peeps! Thank YOU for the understanding... __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

August 8th, 2004, 09:53 AM	#4
Kevin Burnfield Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Princeton, NJ Posts: 363	the film PERSONAL VELOCITY was entirely shot using an Ultra Con 1. I bought one immediately and have been pretty happy with it.

August 9th, 2004, 08:21 PM	#6
Kevin Burnfield Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Princeton, NJ Posts: 363	Absolutely... I didn't mean to imply that it was a 'set and forget' filter. I've got a couple of Ultra Cons but like the 1 the best of the bunch for a subtle effect that I get but in some situations it's not good at all. Any more after spending the last 6 months and substantial money in learning color correction techniques and theory I've gotten fairly good at it and love being able to "crush" those blacks down. :) BUT.. it is an art form above all else. Thanks for pointing that out, Charles.

August 10th, 2004, 12:15 AM	#8
Kevin Lee Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 224	Whats with Kevins and Ultra-Con 1s.? I've got one as well and have engaged discussions on it with Charles before. Have yet to use it though.

August 10th, 2004, 05:56 AM	#9
Kevin Burnfield Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Princeton, NJ Posts: 363	NO! I WAS THE FIRST Kevin !!! ;) Charles, you know more about this stuff half asleep and mostly drunk then I ever will... I hear and obey when it comes to your insights. :) (bow)(scrape)(bow)

August 10th, 2004, 06:56 AM	#10
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	<<Charles, you know more about this stuff half asleep and mostly drunk>> Ah, you've heard about my preferred work style then. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

August 10th, 2004, 07:17 AM	#11
Kevin Lee Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 224	There is a cetain fluidity in movement when one is high on yeast.