Everio Video Hunters! Aquarium Shooting Challenge with Accessories – 2

Continuing from last week, this is Sakura, and I’m starting our journey at the Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise gigantic pilchard pool.
With the aqua-tube that goes through the pool and an upstairs view, the pool provides various angles for different shooting scenes. However, the reflection on the tank’s glass is something you cannot seem to avoid when shooting.

The circular PL filter is the key to aquarium filming!

As long as there were no reflections, it would really look like you went underwater and filmed all of these beautiful scenes. This is what you would think, but it is actually really difficult to avoid this effect, no matter the angle of your camera. The circular PL filter should allow for us to remove the reflections in the water and glass, but with these being so obvious, we were doubtful of the result. With our doubts firmly in mind, we went ahead and attached the circular PL filter, turning the filter screw on its side and adjusting the setting. And the results?

Well, you may not believe this. At least I was really surprised, since it was the first time I had ever tried this! The panel light reflection that was showing had completely disappeared. After using it once, I was hooked! Since I now wanted to try this on the water surface, I decided to film the dolphin waiting for the show in the corner.

In the beginning, I was only able to see the dolphin’s face that was sticking out of the water surface, but as I put the circular PL filter on, I was able to see the entire dolphin, as if its whole body was coming out of the water. To be able to film visuals that even the naked eye cannot see; this really allowed me feel the possibilities of camcorders! By using the circular PL filter, you can really experience the difference in effect with various angles of light reflection, since it effectively removes this surface reflection. I found that you can take beautiful shots by not only turning the adjustment dial, but also by changing the location or angle from which you are shooting.

Now, I’ll provide just a bit of additional information for everyone. Aside from the circular PL filter, we also borrowed a cross screen filter from Boss. This is a filter with grid-type grooves in the lens, which allows cross lights to show up when filming night scenes and illuminated subjects. With this, we tried filming at the Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise just after sundown.

Although this was the first time I have ever used a wide conversion lens and circular PL filter, they really helped for this aquarium shoot! And since they allow for different effects compared to normal shooting, it really made the shoot a whole lot more enjoyable! I hope you can all try it out for yourselves. The Everio Video Hunters discovered there are so many interesting shooting subjects at the aquarium! Next week, Eri will be reporting about the wonderful sea creatures we met at the aquarium! We hope you are looking forward to it.

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