Digital Video - June 2008 - (Page 23)

start with a Black Soft Frost 1⁄2 in your wide shot but find that it’s far too much diffusion, and won’t match when you go in for a close-up (or vice versa)! I can’t ever recall a shooting situation in which I used a diffusion filter and only used one strength of diffusion for the entire shoot. This kit is akin to someone selling you a single pair of pants, single shirt, single pair of socks and shoes and sending you out in the world with your “fashion starter kit.” Sure, this outfit may be a perfect introduction into current fashion, it may even be perfect to wear in a few situations, but no mater how neutral these articles of clothing may be they certainly won’t cover you in all situations and, quite possibly, will not be appropriate for a many of the situations you encounter in daily life. However, the real extraordinary aspect of this filter set — one that is undeniably appealing, and makes this kit most interesting — is the cost. Century is offering the Essential-5 kit for $499, which works out to be less than half the cost of buying them separately (about $1,200). These aren’t “economy” versions of their filters, there is no quality difference between these and the normal 4"x4" filters, for which you’d pay anywhere from $180 to $300 each. As an added bonus, the kit comes with a soft pouch to carry your filters and an instructional DVD. The pouch is a single case with five slots to carry all the filters at once. I have a hard time with this as it presupposes you’ll always be carrying these filters and they’re all you ever need. I would much rather each filter has its own soft case to keep them protected. Each filter does come in its own protective plastic hard case, which is exactly how I’d carry them (in my filter box or another case I’d carry with me) and leave the five-slot soft case at home. The instructional DVD, although informative on the basic use of the five filters, is a bit rough to sit through. It’s reminiscent of the 1970s films you were forced to watch in high school health class. The instructions are clear and aimed at tyro videographers who have never worked with these filters before. If you’re a first-timer, then this an excellent primer. The comparisons used in the DVD between work done in the field with the filters and work done in post to unfiltered material are highly biased and a bit silly. A statement about increasing contrast and saturation through the use of ND glass filters in front of the lens as opposed to behind the lens (because of the reduction of haze) is somewhat dubious, but not entirely untrue. If you can get past the horrible production value, 1970s style, cheesy music and horrible graphics — the instructional video is, well instructional. The bottom line is the kit is filled with high-quality Century glass filters that any videographer should have in his or her kit. By that very definition they are essential, I just don’t believe these are the only essential filters you need. The cost is the most appealing factor here because you can get this kit to start (or supplement) your filter collection at less than half the cost of purchasing them otherwise. DV http://www.kinoflo.com http://www.kinoflo.com http://www.kinoflo.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Digital Video - June 2008

Digital Video - June 2008 Contents DV Update My Studio Runners World Brevis Flip 35MM Lens Adapter 4160 Soom Tripod System Century Essential-5 Filter Kit Little Big Disk Quadra Instant Expert DXA-2S Adapter Technology Treasures Making What You See Sound Great Click to Play DV 101 Production Diary

Digital Video - June 2008

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