Schneider Optics announced that its range of absorptive Platinum IRND filters is now shipping. Cinematographers have found that many of today’s high-definition cameras have a high sensitivity to light just beyond the visible range. This can be beneficial in extending the color gamut of digital cameras to closely approach that of traditional film. However, light in the IR spectrum can also cause unwanted false color shifts and prevent the camera’s imagers from capturing true black tones.
To solve this problem, Schneider’s new Platinum Series IRND filters limit the light striking the camera’s CCD or CMOS imager to the visible spectrum. By carefully calculating the optimum cutoff frequency, measured in nanometers, and precisely controlling the manufacturing process, Schneider has been able to produce a near-infrared cut filter that lets users of high-definition cameras get the most out of their camera gear. This means the benefit of an extended color gamut without the worry of unwanted false colors. Eliminating the near-infrared light leakage lets the camera maintain true color rendition in the blacks while maintaining high MTF of its lenses and camera system.
Schneider Platinum Series IRND filters are free of off-axis color shift regardless of the focal length and can be stacked without introducing reflections. They can also be used as a standard ND filter with all HD video and film cameras.
Several prominent filmmakers have commented on the results. According to Bill Bennett, ASC, “I find them to be quite effective in cutting the IR component of the light, while at the same time remaining very neutral with little color shift.”
After shooting seven seasons of Desperate Housewives on film, Lowell Peterson, ASC switched to digital with the ARRI Alexa. His only issue was outdoors, but he explained, “Schneider came through for us with some of the first sets of their great new Platinum IRNDs, and all our color matching problems disappeared.