Wow! What an eye opener! Thank you so much for this very valuable information! And despite what you may think, people do use Nikon for shooting video, like I do with my W300. :)
@@AquaticImages I was so traumatized that I had to call all of my 14 therapists for counseling. They all told me to crack open a beer and read my Bible, which I did. I read the Nikon W300 User Manual until I cried myself to sleep, but only after ordering some white balance cards online. May Nikon Bless you.
🙏🏻 thank you so much for the detailed explanation! Love this channel. I usually shoot surf. Going to freedive for christmas with my trusty canon 5D4 and I was wondering about getting a filter or not. I have plenty of time to watch all your videos. 😂
Haha thanks man, glad you like the channel 😊 Whether to use a red filter or not depends on depth I'd say. If you shoot in 5-10 meters maybe go without, allows you to shoot stuff on surface as well :)
Hi! Thanks for your video. It’s very useful for people like me that are starting in uw photo or video. Hope you can help me although it’s been 4 years since you posted this video. Al 11:10 you said that in order to have accurate underwater color, kelvin range should be in the high 50000 (fifty thousand). At the end of the video you also say that, for example, the Panasonic GH5 doesn’t need red filter although it’s kelvin range is 2500-10000k. I’m I’m missing something? I would like to ask you if you think that a Sony A6700, that has similar kelvin range as the Panasonic, needs red filter. Thank you!
@@lambattv3314 I'd to with the Keldan SF-4 blue or green depending on your needs. But you'll loose 4 stops of light, so very few cameras can handle that kind of light loss. You could also go with the SF-2, although it is optimised for shallower depths. I did a review of it here on the channel
I don't have the camera and best settings depends on your workflow. If you like to do post processing to get the most out of your image, make sure the firmware is up to date and shoot in 10 bit. Shoot at whatever resolution & frame rate you want to work with. Make sure your computer and editing software can handle the images before shooting anything important. Happy shooting :)
With video lights you'll want the lights on and white balance while aiming your lights at whatever surface you're white balancing off. That will ensure correct white balance for the temperature of your lights, so whatever's close enough to be illuminated by them will have correct colors. If your light supports it, you can also get ambient light filters (blue filters) for your lights that together with a red filter on your lens creates quite a unique look. I did a video about it here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-z-S0UELH_OQ.html
Wooow thank you for your awesome video 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼 I have a question for GoPro. Which white balance you recommend for GoPro and at what depths 🙏🏼 I hope you have a simple answer to this question 😁 🙏🏼 thank you so much 🤙🏼 🤙🏼
Glad you liked it Mirkos! If you want the best possible color from your GoPro I recommend purchasing a red filter. The flip filter from Backscatter or the red filters from Polarpro are the best! GoPros just need a little help to get the colors right and there isn't much you can do in camera I'm afraid. Good luck!
Thoughts on housing for Canon G9x? I see Ikelite, Fantasea and Seafrog options. Trying to decide to use my old G9X and buy housing or get a GoPro 10 and housing. Looking to do UW video (not macro focused).
G9x as in mark I? Anything beats nothing, but depending on your budget & how serious you are I would maybe aim a bit higher. Housings costs about the same regardless of camera age, so maybe get something up to date
It helps change the colour spectrum over, compensating for the loss of colour due to depth. I explain more here; ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-qGf3ENGm7WM.htmlsi=SskC3ancRXCBGjkt
I understood, what do you think about the sea frog RF-1? Can't find if it's for shallow water like 2 to 15 mts .. I can't get the keldan I'm in Indonesia 🥲 Thank you so much for your time, you helped me a lot 🙏🏾
I have no personal experience with sea frog, but I've heard mixed things about them from other users. Maybe look at ordering in from neighboring countries or the US if it's not available in Indo, that's what I have to do a lot of the time (I'm based in Thailand). Here the import tax on "small" value items isn't bad.
If one owns a gopro I would not recommend any filters, filters also take away lights in general, which makes it bit harder to get nice shots, especially when you are deeper- thats at least my experience. Gopro users will have to go through post editing, I use Davinci Resolve. Gives you quite a few possibilities to adjust your footage. However, also would recommend to shoot in a very flat profile. And especially set the ISO values to low and same values. There is ISO min and ISO max, and to me it seems like you get a lot of nasty noise if you apply deviating values. I go with ISO 100 and ISO 200 or 300 if im in caverns/ wrecks. I am really considering getting a camcorder and UW housing which allows me to control the settings. But it is really a big invest. So if you have any recommendations you are welcome to share them.
I think my only recommendation would be don't get a camcorder 😅 If you're sinking any significant amount of money into underwater video equipment in 2023, I'd turn your attention towards mirrorless cameras. Canon, Panasonic, Sony etc take your pick 😊 You will end up with a camera that has far more features and will allow you to grow with filmmaking in a way that I don't believe a handycam can. I used to shoot the things way back when they had DV tapes 😂 I'm sure they've improved greatly since, but I wouldn't invest big money into a single lens camera. But that's just me
Sony implemented better color science across their various camera lineups a few years back, and the mark 6 was the first one to receive the upgrade. Nothing wrong with the mark 5 ;) Just updated on later models
Hi Edu Your lens choice depends on many factors. What kind of scenery & subjects you are shooting, what kind of housing brand & port system you wish to use and perhaps most of all, what your shooting style is like. If paired with the right system, a classic 16-35 is great for rectilinear wide angle, while a 24-70 makes sense for large to medium subjects.
Nice video, very interesting. Why do you think that you need a red filter for a Sonx RX 100 iii ? I use this camera with 2 video lights and and automatic underwater white balance for videos for example. But you can also set the white balance manually. In my opinion the setting depends on the distance of what you are filming because the lights are only good for up to 2 meters. So, why a red filter when you can manually set the white balance? In this case you can also switch the lights on, a red filter with lights on is a real bad idea. Any further ideas?
I think most cameras should use red filters, but just to be clear; In this video I'm mostly discussing how to use red filter + manual white balance to achieve good color WITHOUT lights. The advantages of which include having better color at distances greater than video lights can achieve. There's also the option of using manual white balance + red filter + lights with blue filters, but that's a different story 😅 I did do a review of a videolight that have this ability; ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-qGf3ENGm7WM.html
Great video! Maybe I missed this but what about manual white balancing while using video lights. If you are to do this, I assume you would turn on your video lights first, then white balance rather than white balancing first, then turning on light? Thanks again!
Hi Dan, thanks for that! You are correct, lights on and white balance next. Make sure you are not clipping the highlights when doing it, watch your exposure 👍
Any experience with the Lumix G9? Have been using a magic filter but it has to go on the bayonet end of the 7-14mm lens. LOVE to be able to not use filters. Best wishes
None but the G9 is basically the same as my GH5. I think filters and/or lights is a necessary 'evil' for now 😅 It can definitely be a hassle, and it sucks loosing the light at depth.
Hi I have been shooting without filters using a sony rx100 IV for years… good white balance is very achievable and I wonder why you suggest otherwise with this camera?
Given that you can't set your white balance in camera, this is likely not relevant to you but basically you will be restricted by the bitrate capture capabilities of your camera. Some pro cameras offer to shoot in raw, allowing you to set your white balance in post without losing image quality. I would still recommend being in the ballpark tho when it comes to white balance. Most cameras shoot in 8 or 10 bit, allowing for some adjustment of color in post but not necessarily drastic ones. Long story short, there's no substitute to getting it right in camera 👍
Hello I'm Sony α7s3 and fx3. Do you change the white balance at each depth? Right now, I'm setting the white balance in the underwater mode, but if it's deep, it will be covered in blue. Should I match it with Kelvin? please tell me. Diving always goes deep. Thank you for your cooperation.
Hey, yeah you wanna change the white balance at various depths. You might also need to change it if you experience changes in light output, for example if the sun goes behind dark clouds etc
Just started underwater photography since moving to Guam. The aquatech housing i have doesnt really allow me to change my WB too easily underwater :( Ill have to practice practice practice!
Hi, thanks for the interesting video, I have a Fujifilm xp140, probably is not the best, but when going down to 10m we cannot see colors at all but blue and green ( as you mentioned in the video) I think here we don’t have any white balance or red filter !
Hi Emiliano, Thanks for watching the video! I'm not personally familiar with the XP140, however from what I can gather from the specs sheets it looks like it doesn't have the ability to perform a manual white balance underwater. It does however have a white balance preset called 'Underwater' and if you're not already using it, this would be your best bet for getting the best color possible without investing in external lights. Hope that helps, let me know if this improves your underwater images 👌
If you want to do manual Kelvin temperature, go higher than 5600 and experiment. But it won't take into account tint, which helps bring out reds & orange colours more. So if your camera is able to do manual wb, that generally is the most accurate way
No sorry, I usually just go with manual. You could try experimenting from 7000 up but the tint will be wrong, so don't expect accuracy like you get with manual 🙂
I'll be taking my GH5 to Caribbean to shoot bull sharks at 80-90ft. I find trying to get a manual white balance difficult at depth deeper than 60 ft. Dive with be at 80-90ft. Can I use the kelvin temp to max out the red available instead of trying to manual white balance? Perhaps I can add more red in post. GH5 does not have RAW but what would you shoot to get the best post colour correction?
Consider a deep red filter, Keldan does one made for depth. But you'll need to pair it with a bright lens. Otherwise if you got fast cards shoot 4k 10 bit 4.2.2 400mbit for max data to work with later. I would try to manually white balance at depth as you get a better reading on the tint :)
Hello, I have an SJ8PRO, and used it to shoot my freedive sessions. Somehow, the color temperature changes erratically mid shot. does this have anything to do with white balance? I set it an auto.
Hi, thanks for the informative video! I tried freediving with an a7III and because my time is so limited underwater I thought I can get away with the underwater auto WB option and Slog... NO it turned out unsalvageable. Is there a depth guide that could get me in the ballpark? Your footages look great, do you record in log or a semi flat/cine picture profile?
Thanks for the comment 👍 My advice for freediving and white balance; If you are freediving somewhere shallow, do a dive first to the max depth you plan to shoot at and do a manual white balance there. Perhaps at a patch of sand or rock. If you end up shooting shallower it's easier to color correct a shot with too much red color than not enough. If you are doing freediving somewhere deeper where you won't reach the bottom, bring something white to color balance with. Set it up at your max depth. I actually use 'vibrant' color profile, helps a little with color. Log or flat tends to bring out banding in the blues when using 8-bit color
@@AquaticImages Thank you for the reply. I see, yea I have a cheap grey card that I can just attach to my wrist I'll try that next time. about the picture profile, I think I'm quite good at color grading and dealing with 8bit color and log but uw is a totally different story even with a very gentle manual grade no conversion luts it is banding very badly, no pp and vibrant is something I'd never use on the surface but now you've mentioned it, it actually makes sense underwater
@@kristofkollar4431 yeah it's just the shear amount of light variations looking into the water column. It's a great way to visualize how light gets diffused by water when you think about it. I've done a few test shots at 10 bit to get rid of the banding and it works quite well, but for 8 big I don't even try 😂
Is a red filter still needed for a GoPro 11? I’ve heard different answers to this questions. And regardless, what should one’s white balance be set to if you’re diving at around 50 to 60 ft depths on a sunny day?
Hi Allen As I somewhat touch on in this video, the need for white balancing depends on depth & lighting conditions. From my own experience with the Hero 10 I would generally say yes, you'll want a red filter for using it while scuba diving. Also to my knowledge you can't manually set your white balance with the Hero 11, the camera does it automatically.
@@AquaticImages Thank you. In the protune settings, the GoPro 11 allows you to set it to auto, native, or anywhere from 2300K to 6500K. I just wasn’t sure whether being able to set it in such a way precluded a red filter. I will be sure to use a red filter as you recommend. Thanks again!
@@allencrostic9128 setting the kelvin is great, but unless you can also adjust the tint it won't do you much good underwater (at least when shooting with ambient light). Make sure you go for a good quality filter, the Flip filter from Backscatter or the Polarpro filters are best
Hello, thank you so much for your video. On my next trip, I will record with a go pro 10 and 2X10000lumens video lights with blue ambient filter on it, do you advice me to use the red filter on the gopro ( but loose light and increase ISO ) or set the white balance manually ? Thank you
Hi Nicolas I would say experiment a bit. My first choice would be yes to both, put the red filter on then white balance. If that doesn't work try red filter on without white balance. Have fun!
I would say it depends on your needs. The 80D is still a fine camera for photography, but probably starting to lag behind on video features. If video is your main concern I would consider upgrading
Hi Andy. I have a Blue filter on my light and a Red filter on my camera (TG-6). What is the best approach with regards to WB. I usually dive around 15-20 Meters (50FT), or, should i just do away with the Red filter.
With your setup, white balance at depth with red filter on but lights off. Then let the lights work as fill lights. Also you can check for a relevant video tomorrow, gonna be about a similar setup
Just a tip for GoPro users. Iz bought red filters and results are pretty bad. Color is never perfect, bubbles get stuck between the camera and the filters etc. Ultimately the area where you're diving (visibility, colors, sun position) plays a huge role and you'd need multiple sets of filters to really get a nice white balance. I suggest shooting without filters, turning off all color corrections in the camera and applying color correction when editing (Lumetri color in Premiere Pro, as mentioned in previous comments)
Hi Isaac! Can't say that I have no. They're wet filters right? More designed for compact housings that don't require a dome and has m67 threads I think. Currently I use the Spectrum SF-2 red filter from Keldan. Very high quality! And very expensive 😂
@@AquaticImages You are correct..I have basic housing and a6500 for the beach but I would look forward to free diving this summer. Theoretically..it "clear" to red variable. My question is do you still perform WB "video" with filter at depth?. I really enjoy your videos. thanks
@@isaacsnowhite104 thanks man, appreciate that! Yeah with any camera capable of performing a manual white balance, it tends to give better results. It's an interesting concept, the variable red filter. Let me know how it works 😊
They're not camera specific, but light brand specific. If you were to get these lights to use with a GoPro that would be fine, just need a red filter for the GoPro
Hi there. I’m using the Insta360 one r 1 inch lens currently since theoretically it would be good underwater but I’m so struggling on the white balance. First of all I can’t change the white balance setting underwater. So I use the auto mode. But the result was so bad. It was all green and seem blown out. I thought it would be a good departure from gopro. Help!
Hi Azrul I don't own the One R myself, but from what I can see doing a quick Google search the camera doesn't seem to offer any manual white balance features. That means your best option is to get a red filter, which will help balance the blues/greens & add some reds too. Hope that helps, best of luck 😊
Doesn't this only apply to tropical areas? I dive in Norway, and (especially now in the winter) the visibility is good, but it is always dark at depth, so basically all colours get filtered out. In this situation a good strong white light is the best, I found, even with just a gopro.
There are underwater filters for green waters, Keldan has the best ones. I did a video on it, link it below. Basically you pull manual white balance with them on and get better colors. They do however cut down between 1.5 & 4 stops of light, so depending on available ambient light they can be too dark on their own. You can get video lights with ambient light filters however, I did a video on a pair of those too. Shot in the tropics but principles are the same. Where in Norway do you dive? I'm Norwegian 😄 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-qGf3ENGm7WM.html
Thank you very much for this well explanation of white balance under water. I have 2 underwater cameras. Nikon Coolpix that does a nice job shooting video. And my new Canon G7 XII that I will be testing this weekend in Cozumel. I really appreciate your video. Thanks again. 👍
@@AquaticImages haha nah I was going to say that too but I’m not sure is the Z6 was available. Anyways. Great camera and the fact that you can externally record 14 bit pro res and black magic raw 4k 60 is unveiled for the price point of this camera. I love mine for UW footage.
Hi, sorry what's your question? 5500k refers to the Kelvin temperature range, where this value is roughly considered the "norm" for daylight conditions
@@AquaticImages - alright. I was having trouble with low light and now that is a bit sorted but color is far off. The issue with freediving and spearfishing is that the depths change every single dive. , Thank you for the input.
@@DepthWish true, it's challenging. I always do an average white balance. If you diving down to depths between 10-20 meters, white balance at 15. Correct in post :)
This is a great vid BEFORE YOU DIVE; but tells you nothing how to correct the issue after. I wish I had watched this before my trip to Mexico. GREAT information! Can you tell me how to correct the white balance AFTER? thanks
Hi David! I do go on about it in this video here; ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-tBzHcydJGKo.html Glad you found the information useful 👌
@@AquaticImages Thanks for the reply. About 12:15 - 12:45 you are videoing a wreck dive. How deep were you during that dive? Most of my videos are relatively deeper dives 40 - 120 ft. Most of the video editing I see are fairly close to the surface. I have been using a GoPro 9 black for the dives and can NOT figure out how to get some if the color back (or if you will - the colors out). I have been trying with DeVinci and watching YT Vids. But all the examples' people are using are close to the surface "dives". I didn't use a light on my last dive. I had just bought the GoPro 9 after all my gear was stolen. This was a first-time use of the 9 and I had a Polar Pro Hero 9 Divemaster RED Filter on. For the life of me I can NOT get the color adjusted. I know it's me, but I can't figure it out. There's nothing spectacular on any of the footage, just me D#$%ing around playing with my new toy. Any helpful of ideas would be GREATLY APPRECIATED! GREAT VIDS ! You have me as a SUBSCRIBER!
@@VoteRepublicanSaveAmerica That footage is shot at about 20 meters depth. There are several factors that effect the colors our cameras are able to capture. Visibility/water clarity, ambient light direction, ambient light output, camera sensor, camera color science/accuracy of manual white balance etc. When it comes to GoPros, there just isn't much you can do. There's no options for manual white balance so you have to deal with the footage that comes out of the camera, which can indeed be poorly corrected. I have a hero 10 and the few settings I will recommend you change, assuming the settings are the same; Activate the higher bit rate settings & shoot at high resolution. This will ensure that the image holds as much data as possible, which may help with color correction. At the end of the day though, every camera has its limitations. GoPro cameras use tiny sensors and this together with the lack of manual white balance will have limitations on color at depth. So your options are essentially to either deal with it or get lights if you want to shoot in deeper/darker waters. Also, welcome to the club 😁
