This question regards fluorescent lighting when using a digital camera. Does fluorescent lighting affect colors as it does when using film? Are there filters for the Canon XL1 that will combat any problems caused by fluorescent lighting? How does something shot digitally under fluorescent lighting look when transferred to film. Any knowledge on this is greatly appreciated.

-- Jennifer Prohaska (codependentprod@hotmail.com), March 26, 1999

Answers

One advantage that video has is the ability to color-correct in- camera. Proper white-balancing should do the trick. Depending on the circumstances of the shooting, a little greenyblue tint from the fleourescents can go a long way in creating a "look."

-- Ron Grandia (mojoworkin@rocketmail.com), August 25, 1999.

I assume you speaking of regular fluorescent lighting used as your primary or practical lighting. If thats the case white balancing to compensate for the green cast would be help but not completely eliminate the problem. A better solution is to replace the tubes with daytime tuned 32k tubes. Personnally I'm plan to go completly to fluorescent lighting they produce softer lighting, reduced shadows and cooler termpertures making flluorescents very desireable for video. You might be taken back by the price of fluorescent sold by popular companies, but I've priced the material needed to make my own and feel confident I could build the lighting I need for a fraction of the retail cost.

-- Mac Daddy (jaliel@hotmail.com), April 22, 2003.