Flanders Scientific ND filter

[Walter Biscardi]

[Dan Hayes] ” I understand that it gives you better contrast and black reproduction, but are there any downsides to consider besides reflections? “

Reflection is really the only downside, although it’s not an issue in our suites. We have two of the 2450W’s and one of the 1760W’s in our shop. You notice the warm-up period more with the ND filter as the monitor is noticeably dark for the first 10 to 15 minutes that it’s on and then it starts lightening up to it’s full brightness. I just turn on the monitors immediately when I get to the shop so that by the time I’ve got the systems fired up and we’re editing, the monitors are basically warmed up.

Now with or without the ND Filter, they both produce good blacks, but FSI needs to know whether you intend to the use the Filter or not as they will calibrate the monitor accordingly. I think the monitors looks exactly like a CRT when you use the ND Filter. The glass really does a nice job of increasing the overall contrast ratio and I personally think the viewing angle is wider with the glass. Technically it’s supposed to a be a tighter viewing angle with the filter, but I find the colors are more accurate for a wider axis with the filter.

The filter is fragile though, so you have to be careful with it. It’s optical, non-tempered glass so there’s no distortion. I have the 2450W’s mounted on Anthro Swing Arms so I can angle the monitor as needed for viewing, but the producer and I can sit side by side and both see good color.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Editor, Colorist, Director, Writer, Consultant, Author.
Credits include multiple Emmy, Telly, Aurora and Peabody Awards.
Biscardi Creative Media

Creative Cow Forum Host:
Apple Final Cut Pro, Apple Motion, Apple Color, AJA Kona, Business & Marketing, Maxx Digital.

Read my Blog!

[Tom Wolsky]

What’s this have to do with Final Cut Pro? I think you should try this on a lighting forum.

All the best,

Tom

Class on Demand DVDs “Complete Training for FCP6,” “Basic Training for FCS2” and “Final Cut Express Made Easy”
Author: “Final Cut Pro 5 Editing Essentials” and “Final Cut Express 4 Editing Workshop”

[Walter Biscardi]

[Tom Wolsky] “What’s this have to do with Final Cut Pro? I think you should try this on a lighting forum. “

A lighting forum?

Flanders Scientific is a broadcast MONITOR manufacturer, you can see their bright yellow banners in this and many other forums on the Cow. The ND Filter is an optional addition to the front of the monitor which some people, like myself, prefer to have on the monitor and others don’t.

Since we repeat so often that FCP is to be used properly with a good calibrated broadcast monitor, this question has everything to do with Final Cut Pro.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Editor, Colorist, Director, Writer, Consultant, Author.
Credits include multiple Emmy, Telly, Aurora and Peabody Awards.
Biscardi Creative Media

Creative Cow Forum Host:
Apple Final Cut Pro, Apple Motion, Apple Color, AJA Kona, Business & Marketing, Maxx Digital.

Read my Blog!

[Tom Wolsky]

My apologies. I thought it was an ND filter for a camera. To be honest I’ve never heard of an ND filter for a monitor. Seems odd to me that you’d want to filter the light levels of the monitor. Wouldn’t it crush the low end into blacks?

All the best,

Tom

Class on Demand DVDs “Complete Training for FCP6,” “Basic Training for FCS2” and “Final Cut Express Made Easy”
Author: “Final Cut Pro 5 Editing Essentials” and “Final Cut Express 4 Editing Workshop”

[Walter Biscardi]

[Tom Wolsky] ” To be honest I’ve never heard of an ND filter for a monitor. Seems odd to me that you’d want to filter the light levels of the monitor. Wouldn’t it crush the low end into blacks?
“

The ND filter cuts down light reflection, enhances black levels and in my opinion makes the 2450W and exact replacement for a broadcast CRT.

There’s a lot of very good information including a video series on the Flanders website that explains it much better.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Editor, Colorist, Director, Writer, Consultant, Author.
Credits include multiple Emmy, Telly, Aurora and Peabody Awards.
Biscardi Creative Media

Creative Cow Forum Host:
Apple Final Cut Pro, Apple Motion, Apple Color, AJA Kona, Business & Marketing, Maxx Digital.

Read my Blog!

[Dan Hayes]

Thanks Walter,

Dan gave me a great demo of the 2450 last Saturday(I’m in the area on vacation), but there was only a demo unit calibrated for the filtered option.

Dan