small magic experience

Here are some of my first magic filter results.

First I wanted to see how the magic filter behaves right under the surface. I thought there could be a possibility that a strong filter would lead to certain oversaturated colours at 0m due to the colour conversion method. But the assumption was wrong and if the filter is installed, no drawback right under the surface in my opinion (except split shots).

between 0 and 5m:

Between 5 and 20m:

The magic filter is capable of delivering pleasing colours from close to far away subjects within one image:

Next was a wreck at 30m. As visibility wasn’t very pleasing (Oman / U.A.E.) and not much light down there, I took my strobes with me. And that was the right choice although the filter isn’t recommended in conjunction with strobe light.

30m, f2.8, ISO400, 15mm fisheye, no strobes:

My only complain about the Sealux 10D housing is that the ISO button isn’t accessable underwater. Shooting at f2.8, the image came out blurred. But I was surprised how good the filter works in murdy water in 30m depth! I better would have underexposed the image above and compensate during RAW conversion in order to avoid blurriness, like here:

Caught in the dark environment with ISO400, I switched on my strobes and fired one shot against the sand on the bottom for white balancing with strobe light. Following images with magic filter and strobe light:

I found the filter suitable for strobe wideangle work. My Inon strobes produce cold light which gets even colder when travelling thru water (wideangle). That means there was no strong whitebalancing required. I would even compare it to macro work with warm strobes (3500-4000K). However, proper colour fine tuning can be a bit tricky this way. When in doubt, I wouldn’t hesitate to take the strobes down as well, just for the case they are needed.

I’ve used the magic filter in conjunction with the Sigma 10-20mm and the Sigma 15mm fisheye. In my opinion, the fisheye is the preferred lens for filter work because it delivers so much better image quality if you have to open the aperture. I found the results quiet good even at f2.8 compared to the poor corners wideangles deliver behind a dome glass when not stopped down.

I think compact digicams have some drawbacks for ambient light & filter usage compared to DSLR cameas: higher ISO noise and less reliable AF with ambient light (filter blocks light too). But I still would recommend the filter. In good conditions, compact digicams should deliver great results too. Especially in conjunction with some wideangle conversion lens. This can be an affordable way to start underwater photography without expensive strobes in the beginning.

I just free dived once in order to see if it works, 10m:

I just put the filter behind the housing glass. This way, the filter would work with wideangle conversion lenses too.

Julian

Great shots Julian.

A very interesting post. Thanks for sharing.

I am very interested in using flash with the Magic Filter, because I can't get a decent shot at less than 1/100 of a second. Oly 5050

Wow. Great shots. Wow again. Good technical and creative use of the filter.

But what is it with photographers. You set out guidelines on how to use a product and everyone immediately breaks them. And the shots are great. Damn your creativity!

Joking aside, that was the main motivation for marketing the Magic filter - to get more and more UW photographers shooting with it. Filters are such a new technique for stills, so the more people who shoot them, the more we can all learn. Great stuff!

Alex

Just one word: impressive!

Wonderful shots Julian. Those are unique images.

You know, I think these are some of the best shots I've seen using the magic filter. My learning from what you posted is to keep the composition really simple with as few elements as possible. I've seen a number of pictures where the colour is great but there is so much going on that you can't see the wood for the trees.

Just my tuppence worth.

Tim

Very nice shots Julian, and an excellent review with great insights. Thanks for posting!

Luiz

Can I ask how you got the filter inside the camera casing?

Julian,

I really like the shots. I am surprised how blue the water looks as normally it is a very murky green around the wrecks in that area!! Inchcape I is always an interesting if small dive.

I cannot wait to recieve my filters - i hope the UAE post doesn't destroy them.....or worse just lose them

Thank you guys. I am glad you like the magic results.

I can’t wait until the next trip to use the filter in bright and clear conditions. From time to time, I think it’s pretty cool to dive without all this strobe hardware. :-)

@ce4jesus

You mean the Canon S60 housing? There is a rubber around the front glass inside the housing. The Sigma rear version of the magic filters almost fits exactly into the rubber. Just the corners had to be cut a little bit and the filter is fixed tightly.

Julian

Excellent shots/ posting- guess I be getting the filter soon........

Great stuff Julian, can't wait for Venezuela in january to try mine!

Julian - Thank you. I got one silly question that will reveal my inexperience. In the photo where you have the reg out it appears you've made a bubble ring...how the heck did you accomplish that?

Great stuff Julian

In the photo where you have the reg out it appears you've made a bubble ring...how the heck did you accomplish that?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You do this just like you blow rings when smoking a cigar. Open your mouth and "pop" the air out with your tongue in the center of your lips. Oddly I can do this in the water but not with a cigar.

Julian very nice shots ...

Allen

Thank you guys.

Jepp, it wasn’t me doing the bubbles, it was the guy on the picture (I was holding the camera). He was a quiet good bubbler.

Julian

Nice shots

I cannot wait for my filter to be delivered.

Hi,

I'm really obsesed with getting a "provia blue".

In yours opinions, what is the result in the blue of

the water when using filters. Goes more intense

or more cyan / green.

And, with strobe and calibrating WB again?

I see very beutiful blues in the photos of Alex.

What it's the secret, Alex?