Digital Cinematography

6

Filters

Camera filters

We use filters in cinematography to alter the image either for technical reasons to correct the colour of the light to that required by the camera or, perhaps, because we may wish to change the image in some way that will enhance our storytelling powers. The former is often necessary, the latter much more fun.

The majority of digital cameras come with one, if not two, wheels between the lens and the splitter block. The Sony DVW 700, for instance, is factory-fitted with one wheel containing a clear space marked as 3200°K, this is the correct colour balance of the camera itself, a filter which corrects the camera to a light source of 4300, roughly equivalent to a Wratten 85C and a position marked 6300 which is a full correction ...