Windshield Reflection with HV30

[jordan314]

Hi everyone,
Newbie with a new HV30 here. I figured out a way to rig my HV30 onto my hood of my car using a ratchet strap, a tripod mount and a folded towel. Basically the strap goes all the way around the hood, the camera sits on the towel for height and protection, and the strap is tightened between the tripod mount and camera and also down to the hood.
Here is a screenshot from my first test:
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/c...reflection.jpg
The camera should be higher and angled down more. The problem is, I get massive reflections off the windshield and it's too dark inside the car to see in. Does anyone have any suggestions on any camera settings that might help, the best direction to face, or the best time of day to shoot that would help you see the driver? More sunlight just means more reflections. I'm told a polarizing lens would help but I don't know how to mount one / doubt I want to invest in an adapter. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Jordan

[Dr. Benway]

Hi Jordan, what do you have on your HV at the moment; any filters or hoods? Yes, a polarizer will help immensely and needn't be expensive. You could, if your budget is tight, simply attach a 43mm polarizer to the front of your HV.

I have a 43mm Tiffen Haze-1 UV filter then a 43-55 step-up ring then a 55mm Tiffen Linear Polarizer and a 62mm Petal lens hood that I have sanded out and slipped onto the outer ring of the Linear Polarizer; it was too tight to fit over the filter. Sounds elaborate but it is functional, compact and has no vignetting.

Good luck.

p.s. http://www.cs.mtu.edu/~shene/DigiCam...polarizer.html

[CycleWriter]

Some lighting inside the car to illuminate the occupant's faces helps, as well. Also, try to shoot at a time when the sun's reflections off the windshield are not at a 90 degree angle to the camera. Generally that will mean early morning or late afternoon.

[Dr. Benway]

Some lighting inside the car to illuminate the occupant's faces helps, as well. Also, try to shoot at a time when the sun's reflections off the windshield are not at a 90 degree angle to the camera. Generally that will mean early morning or late afternoon.

True, and it'll look sexier if you mix ambient and streetlighting, so perhaps early evening. Morning too though!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_hour_(photography)

[jordan314]

Wow you guys are great, thanks.
Ok I'm looking online and 43mm polarizers are cheaper than I thought. The HV30 lens doesn't have any attachment capabilities though right? Do the filters just pop on or do I need to find my own way to attach them?
Maybe a small version of Razaele's DIY lens hood would help too:
http://hv20.com/showthread.php?t=17547
Lighting is a good call too, anyone have a suggestion for portable lighting I could put in the car, maybe mounted onto the sun visor?
Thanks again.

[Skatervideoguy]

Hi jordan314,

I use a 43 to 49 stepup ring to attach my AUX lenses, like a Polarizer. It simply screws into the front of the 20/30 lens unit.

I also made my own Lens Hood out of thin stiff cardboard (you can use a variety of matierials) and a strip of mouse pad - made into a short tube - to simply slip over the lens barrel.

Harold

[jordan314]

Awesome, thanks. I didn't notice the rings on the inside of the lens, and that's a cool DIY hood you made.