2018 Update

Acquisition

Even though this thread began as a discussion of circular polarizers, I became aware that over-exposure was my main problem under the conditions of the shoot and the limitations of the camera. I have zero control over the lighting and it’s impolite for a shooter to blame the camera for every bad video. It’s necessary for the camera operator to understand the limitations of the camera and attempt to overcome them. The polarizer was not the best tool to control the amount of light the camera had to process, but rather the neutral density filter.

The camera I was using at the time, a Canon G15, shoots video at a fixed shutter speed of 1/60 second and it cannot be changed in video mode. The ISO is also fixed at 400 when shooting video. The minimum aperture for this camera is f8. It’s become painfully obvious to me over time that those setting are a recipe for disaster in my most common shooting conditions; blinding sun, swimmers shaded at the starting blocks by white canopies and, in the middle of the pool, 8-10 swimmers creating white water.

Wayne’s and other’s advice to underexpose was profound. The big issue was that the only way I could underexpose was with many stops of neutral density filters. I learned the three stop (.9) ND that I added was not enough in the worst conditions. The internal three stop (.9) filter along with the screw-on filter would mostly stay under the f8 limit of the camera, but not in all cases and never if the operator failed to enable it after shooting something dark between heats.

My current camera, Sony RX10-IV, is more flexible. I still shoot 1/60 second shutter speed. I’ve learned that I can set the ISO to Auto in the range of 100-400 in early morning, lock it at 100 by mid-morning with a three stop (.9) ND filter screwed on and still stay well within the f16 aperture of this camera. I haven’t bought a polarizer for this camera. None of this knowledge protects me from making dumb-shit errors. One day a few weeks after getting the camera, I shot all day with the ISO locked at 800 (left in that setting from a previous experiment). That day, I never once considered checking or changing it. Now, I have a start-up checklist that I execute every shoot.  

Vegas Processing  

I revisited the over-exposed video that I referenced earlier. After using various tools in Vegas Pro, I’ve decided that in the worst parts of the video, there are no dark shadows, there is no mid-range and in the brightest parts there is little color to be salvaged except blue and cyan. Sometimes we must admit defeat and live to fight another day. Here is a comparison of my efforts then and now.

Human Factors

I never thought that I would get any use from the Electronic Viewfinder when I bought my current camera. I thought it was a gippee being pushed by the manufacturer that would draw battery current for no benefit to me. Now, I realize that if I’m actually able to reduce the exposure so the video is not over-exposed it is impossible to see the rear display of the camera. In fact, it’s near impossible in bright sun with any exposure level. I now use the Electronic Viewfinder for all things camera for one simple reason, I can see what the camera sees. I don’t even use the rear display to set menu items. The fact that the EVF can be adjusted to my glasses prescription doesn’t suck, either.

@john_dennis The part I don’t understand is why you went with the RX-10, which is a bridge camera and not with a proper video camera like the AX-700. The whole issue with screw on ND filters would have gone away in a flash as the AX-700 has build filters. Image stabilization is much better, histogram, zebra, better build in microphone, no time limit in taking videos, dual card slots and so and so on.

Long-held bias against camcorders. Not everything in my life makes sense. For years, I wouldn’t buy a camera that wouldn’t fit in my pocket. Adding the filter adapter to the G15 broke me of that bias. Of all the features of higher spec cameras, selectable levels of ND filters is the most compelling to me.

Long-held bias against camcorders. Not everything in my life makes sense. For years, I wouldn’t buy a camera that wouldn’t fit in my pocket. Adding the filter adapter to the G15 broke me of that bias. Of all the features of higher spec cameras, selectable levels of ND filters is the most compelling to me.

I never understood that kind of bias. But, I must admit that also fell for it and bought the a6300. While that is a great camera for pictures and great for video in a controlled environment, shooting video on the fly, like when you are in vacation, every shoot becomes a compromise.

I had a long and deep look at the RX-10IV when it came out, I was about to sell if the a6300 and my AX-100 but luckily the AX-700 came out and I am glad I went for instead of the RX-10IV.

I didn't see dual polarizers mentioned. With them rotated near 90 degrees relative to each other, one can turn the sky an eerie cold blue-black. Really stark saturated primaries.

I’ve decided to avoid variable ND filters. It would only take one X pattern to ruin it for me.