Lens Filters

[driftin]

This might be a dumb question... do orange/brown filters make the photos look like what the eye sees, or do they enhance colors we don't see? Or is the answer "both", depending on which filter is used?

In part asking because I can't get an accurate photo of my corals coloration to save my life with just the settings available on my phone, but also because it's so hard to navigate vendor pages (and even photos posted here) and know if I'd ever see colors like that in my tank...

 

[itsken37]

depends on the coral's colors like this is almost what I see.

 

[RobB'z Reef]

great article here splaining how that stuff works. I found it useful anyhow.

Color Correcting Filters for Underwater Photography - What is New?

Filters for Blue Water, Filters for Green Water; How, When, and Where, to use filters.

reefphoto.com

 

[driftin]

Thanks. I guess, like everything else in the hobby, the answer is more complex than yes/no. So if I understand it properly, the filter can be used to get the camera image sensor to produce a photo that matches what the eye sees, especially under heavy blue light.

But a filter can also take it beyond that? I've seen photos (on this forum) that look insane. I've guessed that these were either taken with an extreme filter or photoshopped, and no longer represent what a human eye would see even with heavy blue lights on the tank. Is that safe to assume?

 

[Specific Ocean]

Color filters add/subtract colors. You can stack color filters together to reduce a color but also pop another.

In photo editing software like Photoshop, Lightroom or Capture One, you can fiddle around the white balance to get something that's closer to how it appears to us or something totally different.

One thing to note is that when looking at coral, there's a mix of light. Whether it be artificial light (aquarium lights or house lights) or natural/ambient (the sun). This is all a factor when looking at a coral or taking a photo of it. It throws off colors or helps them.

 

[RobB'z Reef]

Thanks. I guess, like everything else in the hobby, the answer is more complex than yes/no. So if I understand it properly, the filter can be used to get the camera image sensor to produce a photo that matches what the eye sees, especially under heavy blue light.

But a filter can also take it beyond that? I've seen photos (on this forum) that look insane. I've guessed that these were either taken with an extreme filter or photoshopped, and no longer represent what a human eye would see even with heavy blue lights on the tank. Is that safe to assume?

right, it's never yes or no haha. Those amazing photos are often being helped by experience for sure but also with legit cameras that have control over exposer times and many other aspects. I'm not a photography guru but it's like anything else. When you care enough you'll dive deeper.

 

[Cambrian Reef]

this little guy works like a champ on the cell phone

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

Brown is way more realistic than orange.
Orange

Brown

 

[shadow1013]

Do you have a link to the brown filter you use?

Brown is way more realistic than orange.

Brown

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

Do you have a link to the brown filter you use?

I made my own
I used a brown camera lens filter

RISE(UK) 52mm Full Brown Color Conversion Lens Filter Mount for DSLR SLR Camera 702756466399| eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for RISE(UK) 52mm Full Brown Color Conversion Lens Filter Mount for DSLR SLR Camera at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Step down

K&F CONCEPT 18pcs Camera Lens Filter Metal Stepping Rings kit Up Down Ring Set | eBay

(all 18pcs). Special aviation aluminum alloy, high strength, impact resistance, twist and pressure. ✮ Special aviation aluminum alloy, high strength, impact resistance, twist and pressure. ✮ Step up rings, also known as adaptor rings, allow.

www.ebay.com

And an extra clip I had laying around

 

[lpsouth1978]

I typically use the lens filter from coralview to get as close to what I see as possible. Then using my phones photo editing app, I will further adjust to get the most realistic photo as I can. I don't like posting photos that artificially enhance the look of my system.

 

[driftin]

Great replies. Charlie, thanks for the two comparison shots - that really illustrates the differences!

 

[ReeferSamster]

I made my own
I used a brown camera lens filter

RISE(UK) 52mm Full Brown Color Conversion Lens Filter Mount for DSLR SLR Camera 702756466399| eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for RISE(UK) 52mm Full Brown Color Conversion Lens Filter Mount for DSLR SLR Camera at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Step down

K&F CONCEPT 18pcs Camera Lens Filter Metal Stepping Rings kit Up Down Ring Set | eBay

(all 18pcs). Special aviation aluminum alloy, high strength, impact resistance, twist and pressure. ✮ Special aviation aluminum alloy, high strength, impact resistance, twist and pressure. ✮ Step up rings, also known as adaptor rings, allow.

www.ebay.com

And an extra clip I had laying around

Will any clip work from amazon? Like this one? As long as the lens fits the adapter and the adapter fits onto the clip, right?

I like brown filter. It is better than yellow or orange.

Amazon product

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

Will any clip work from amazon? Like this one? As long as the lens fits the adapter and the adapter fits onto the clip, right?

I like brown filter. It is better than yellow or orange.

Amazon product

I believe so….assuming the clip is also compatible with your phone camera lens