Depth of Field in Post: Free Plugin or Technique?

Soniclight wrote on 6/1/2010, 7:25 PM

Is there a way to do add depth of field to a vid clip that doesn't have any in a way that is tweakable and looks good using in-Vegas FX, as free or very affordable plugin? I have VP8 and for shots I take myself, I use a Canon HV30.

My first "duh" instinct solution is double track of clip with Gaussian or other blur on mask of desired out-of-focus areas in top track.

Probably answered my own question but other/better ideas welcomed.
Thanks.

~ Philip

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Grazie wrote on 6/3/2010, 10:36 PM

Hindsight, hindsight . . . were these available back then? At the price I bought my MB and NDs? Actually "the bunch of NDs" turned out to be only 2 - dear boy! PLUS I was wanting a "bunch of" grads too - which I now have. Tricky to use THEM without a MB - n'est pas?

Could you work this "Fader" with Grads? Could you?

Glad you liked my Shallow DoF narrative/s. I think?

Grazie

farss wrote on 6/3/2010, 10:55 PM

No mate I don't think they were available "back then', come to think of it I know they weren't available back then.
Arri have had one such beast for ages and a very nice bit of kit it would be no doubt. It will fit into a matte box I think, priced to match.
Then someone made a more affordable one at around $400 and now these guys in HK are making them even cheaper.
I doubt you could use it in a matte box although you might be able to with one of those Cokin filter holders.
All that said I was really thinking of others who cannot afford a matte box. I didn't want someone on a limited budget to think they had to have a matte box and bunch of NDs to try their hand at this.

Bob.

[edit]

The ones Arri make are generally used to pull of a "Rack DOF". They cost a lot because you can use them with a whip.

Grazie wrote on 6/3/2010, 11:30 PM

> "I didn't want someone on a limited budget to think . . . "

Budget options, always options. And those were mine back in 2004. But maybe others, like I, would want a MB to have grads too? Options always options.

When you reminded me of this option about 2 weeks ago, I've been thinking of somehow incorporating a rotating plain POLA to work against my existing POLA to do just this - I kinda think I'd be all set then. This would mean that my 2004 investment still has the legs to be used with grads as well. Grads and a twisty POLA/ND could be real sweet?

Options, always options . . . wouldn't want to think that guys could think a lil bit further down the road - yeah?

Anyways, my present Monkey on my back is slithering towards HD - in some form. But that's another story/posting.

Grazie

farss wrote on 6/4/2010, 12:54 AM

"Grads and a twisty POLA/ND could be real sweet?"

Sure and I was thinking about how you could do this but you'd need a 3 stage matte box with at least one, preferably two rotating stages. They exist I think, if I recall correctly you can get ones that you can add more stages to.
Problem is as the matte box gets deeper more risk of vignetting so you need to step up to the large sized filters and it all gets expensive quickly. I should add it can get quite heavy too and not recommended on a windy day.

Bob.

Grazie wrote on 6/4/2010, 3:14 AM

> but you'd need a 3 stage matte box with at least one, preferably two rotating stages.

Which I have. I had True Lens Services add another stage - marvellous! - All I would need to do is get another plano POLA from an optical house (we family connections! wink) and "Robert's yer Ozzie Uncle"!

Grazie

Soniclight wrote on 6/4/2010, 8:17 AM

Thanks for vid and tutorial link, Grazie.
I'll definitely put my student cap on.