Gopro Hero 8 Red Filter for underwater video - SHOULD I USE IT???

Gopro Hero 8 red filter is a good quick way to color correct your underwater videos and underwater photos. In this video I compare underwater footage between a Gopro Hero 8 and a Gopro Hero 8 with a red filter. I also compare the red filter footage to footage fixed in the Dive plus app. The Dive plus app is an incredibly easy and great way to color correct underwater videos and photos.
Many underwater video enthusiasts swear by a red filter, after comparing the Gopro underwater video with red filter vs fixed in Dive plus app I am not so sure which one is better. Please comment below and let me know which underwater footage you like better. I may add the red filter to my Gopro Hero 8 accessories kit.
Check out the Gopro Hero 8 red filter I used in this video: amzn.to/2Z5f859
Gopro Hero 7 red filter: amzn.to/2ZCiGdS
Gopro 8 black w card and 2 batteries amzn.to/3eKqzEA
Gopro Hero 8 Dive housing: amzn.to/3dEAUAw
As an Amazon affiliate I receive a small commission from sales through these links.
#gopro #underwatervideo #diveplus

[@crunchers9]

I think the red filter worked only in certain situations where it was deeper or darker. Over all, the computer correction was best for that depth of diving.

[@JoeOceanside]

Yeah I used a filter that was too red, the set came with lighter shades. Someone recommended the magenta filter for the shallower depths. Yeah, the dive plus app is amazing how good it corrects color. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@alunwilliams6828]

From my perspective I much prefer the computer variation in all aspects, seems, to me, that the red over compensates some colours.

[@JoeOceanside]

Yeah the Dive plus app is amazing thanks for watching

[@over1498]

Agreed. A simple red filter can't be adjusted for depth, and the result is everything looking too yellow and red, especially when shallow. I always thought I needed one, but only used it a couple times before going back to GoPro's auto white balance, then making adjustments myself. Haven't heard of Dive Plus, I'll have to check that out.

[@c.patricksadowski9959]

@@JoeOceanside Is the Dive Plus app what you use for putting your video’s together? Is it available for iOS or MacOS?

[@JoeOceanside]

@@c.patricksadowski9959 No unfortunatly it is only for mobile. So you have to color correct on phone then transfer to your computer. I use adobe premeire for editing. And I do not really color grade anymore, no one really seems to care if the colors are not perfect.

[@playingbadgolfwell9732]

Red filter should only be used below 3 meters (10 feet or so) or you'll get a redish-yellow tint to everything while loosing detail. You can see what I'm talking about when you look at the footage at around the 6:35 mark.

[@danarkle5053]

Thankyou for this! You've just saved me some money - I was going to get a filter, but now think I can just color grade instead.

[@JoeOceanside]

Cool, glad it helped. I would only use the red filter for deeper dives or for very long videos that I did not want to spend the time running through the software. I would not use it for photos since they are easy to correct. Thanks for watching

[@timo5601]

They have a light red filter in the set as well which is for shallow dives. That would have been a better comparison.

[@Pmobley47]

This review was absolute perfection! Great job!!!! Great footage!!

[@zachmuphy_6713]

I really like the Computer correction over the red filter..some areas the red filter looks really good but it’s only short moments in the video..Comp.corrections may be the way to go unless swimming in deeper settings thanks for the info...very helpful ..

[@JoeOceanside]

Yeah I agree, I need to test it on a deeper dive next time

[@carnut84gti]

Just picked up a Gopro 8 and have been trying to decide if I want to spend the money on some red filters or not. Watching this I'm leaning towards not as the computer correction seems to be better or nearly as good in all circumstances as the red filter, where the red filter only works well in certain circumstances, and is bad in others. One bit of feedback. Love the side by side comparisons of the red filter footage compared to no filter and the edited footage compared to unedited, but I wish you had put some side by side footage of the red filter vs edited as that seems to be the biggest debate here (just easier to compare when they are streaming side by side instead of one after the other).

[@JoeOceanside]

Yeah my comparison was not perfect cause I did not use a magenta filter. That would have been better for shallow water. Thanks for watching

[@patrickmanning7502]

Hey Joe, I’ve dove the Keys a lot and my recommendation based on experience is the magenta filter works best in the green water of the Keys and other FL reefs. Even down to 30ft. Solid video btw

[@JoeOceanside]

Good call, I should have used the magenta filter. It did come in the set. Thanks for the tip and thanks for watching and commenting!

[@cynthialopez1445]

Thanks so much for this tip as I'm heading to the keys in a couple of weeks and have been searching videos to see how to use my gopro as I am a newbie. I did get the filters and will definitely use the magenta one.

[@davekenyon9582]

Color correct for sure.... but would like to see the test deeper 30 ft plus... great video Joe

[@JoeOceanside]

Thanks, yeah I will have to retest on a deeper scuba dive

[@tbsdrummer87]

Seems like it really depends on the depth, light intensity, structure angles and natural color. Wish there was a simple solution for all of it

[@seastheday2020]

I take a lot of videos at snorkeling depth so I liked your comparisons. I didn’t like the red filter as well as the clear in your examples. It made the water look “dirty.” I liked the computer filter for some of them. I wonder what it looks like when scuba diving a little deeper.

[@JoeOceanside]

Yeah in this case the Dive plus app looked the best. I agree the red filter almost made it look hazy, probably because it is an additional piece of glass the camera has to look through. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@AA-fl8kj]

Great video. The red filter looks great when you film the corals and the reef.

[@JoeOceanside]

Yeah it looks better for the deeper parts, if you are too shallow then it becomes overly red. Thanks for watching

[@jimgam730]

That computer correction looks the best to me.

[@JoeOceanside]

Yeah it really is the best

[@ADCFproductions]

i think computer color corrected is better in all cases

[@Gameplaiimaker]

Red filters are not necessarily meant for snorkeling but for scuba diving. At 10-20m depth or even more you get much much less of the red color spectrum and working only with computer corrections becomes impossible in my experience. I agree at shallow waters red filters are overcompensating and not beneficial.

[@jlcworld91]

Computer correction was the best. I did not like the red filter. Thanks for the video. Helps me out.

[@ashic]

One of the key things in photography (and videography) is light - the more light you have, the more information you have to work with. With a filter, you're effectively reducing the amount of light (specially non-red light) that hits the sensor. On top of that, a filter is constant, so can't deal with variations that well. I find colour correction (I use Davinci Resolve) to work better as I can adjust the colours to my liking, and the amount can vary in different areas of the video. I just don't see a point to using these filters for underwater. Yes, something like a polarising filter can work wonders to reduce glare, and ND filters can help in bringing down exposure (which can lead to interesting blur effects), but none of them are really that useful underwater.

[@roneyyoneda556]

Color correction is better . Thanks 🙏🏼

[@alexandrastarr3704]

So..Where are you diving? Learn lots on your video. Like the computer correction on most cases. Thanks!

[@JoeOceanside]

This video is at the Christ Of the Abyss (Dry Rocks) statue in Key Largo Florida. Thanks for watching

[@PaulBissekerBushcraft]

I use the Gopro 7 with red filter then use computer to dial in the colours. Great video btw.

[@reysmuhammad9765]

i think red filter worked only in deep water, when you in shallow water, red fiter make the colours very saturated n in my humble opinion, in shallow water with a good sunlight, we dont need red filter. just in case you go deeper, you will need it

[@JoeOceanside]

yes very true

[@Mike-fs3bv]

Wish I saw this before buying the filters. I prefer the computer color correction. I find it much harder working on video that was shot with the red filter in place.

[@adamwoodworth5758]

Thank you that really explains a lot. Ive noticed pictures posted from Hawaii in kona where i plan to snorkel look washed out...no filter or color correction. My only problem with filter is it seems to make background look muddy or slightly out of focus...that might just be because you keep swapping it on and off. I agree overall color correction with software looks best most of the time. Im probably going to get filters...but not as sure now 🤪

[@spencerschomer5430]

This was super helpful, thank you so much for posting!

[@roneyyoneda556]

red filters are recommended for deep waters and magenda for shallow waters.

[@JoeOceanside]

Yeah, good point. I will test the magenta next time, thanks for watching

[@Lancia444]

actually super shallow with clear water should be no filter - magenta for the scenario above for sure though.

[@c.patricksadowski9959]

Red filter for Blue Water Magenta filter for Green water

[@altacc4995]

I like more the normal color 🌊

[@JoeOceanside]

Oh ok, so with no filter? Yeah at the shallow depth I was at it was still ok without a filter. Maybe the filter is more appropriate for deeper dives. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@zazzeybear]

Really great informative video!! Thank you ☺️

[@scottmartin9053]

Interesting project, curious what settings you used on the gopro... protune, color flat or gopro.... I would think that would make a big difference when you head to Dive+, for myself no red filter, one touch software correction in Lumafusion or more effort in Lightroom

[@JoeOceanside]

I just use the gopro color, I was trying to keep it simple, but I have heard the flat color profile goes through color correction much better. I have color corrected in premiere but I have never heard of Lumafusion. I will check it out thanks for the tip. and thanks for watching and commenting!

[@thetoneman]

Nice video! I'm usually in shallow water so if I do any deep dives I color correct in post on my PC. 😀👍

[@JoeOceanside]

Yeah good call, just subbed to your channel btw

[@thetoneman]

@@JoeOceanside thanks Joe. I love the cinematics of your videos... very nicely done and informative. 😀👍

[@JoeOceanside]

@@thetoneman awesome thanks!

[@collegeboiuw]

Very helpful video, thank you!

[@bubblerings]

By the way, was impressed at the auto white balance capabilities of the Hero 8... My old Hero 2 would look greenish even at the surface... not nearly as easy to work with as what you are producing, here. Thx! dive Plus looks good!

[@JoeOceanside]

Yes Bubblerings the Hero 9 is great too. I hardly have to do color corrections anymore.

[@Stupidtakumiz]

glad i saw this video , red too sharp ,use back normal then use colour correction better....thanks for your video

[@rb95403]

super helpful video. Thanks!

[@ReefStash]

Appreciate the review. Thank you. 🤙

[@JoeOceanside]

Awesome thanks, I am glad you enjoyed!

[@USNavyMC]

. Concise, great commentary, clean editing. The level of information could be a bit more thorough, such as GoPro settings used, as that makes a huge difference.

[@JoeOceanside]

Cool thanks, yeah I am just keeping it simple, just a quick overview. Thanks for watching

[@flarnesmom1623]

Great Video!

[@ditsapong9]

Great comparison.

[@JoeOceanside]

Thanks!

[@bubblerings]

Your first shot Over reef... and Barracuda are Perfect Red filter shots... Otherwise, your shallow footage is nicer with Computer correct. At 30 feet down or more, I imagine the REd filter is needed.

[@klunboxingstudio9889]

Thanks for sharing!

[@kevinsondey8646]

Headed to cozumel with my GoPro 9 next week. Haven’t had much luck with filters in the past. You’ve convinced me to leave them at home. I like the computer correction better. What settings were used on your GoPro for these shots?

[@DominicanRegulator]

Thanks for posting buddy

[@marcoplayzz6728]

Wow really nice content sad that I don’t have a go pro :(

[@JoeOceanside]

Try looking for a used one, maybe cheaper

[@runningfree4606]

For those who don't know what they are doing, the best results will be achieved by using a red filter and perform a color correction in post to reduce the excess of red. The person who created this video tried to emulate the red filter in post, which is fine, but if you are looking for professional quality do as I said.

[@aliadams420]

Really nice 👍

[@JoeOceanside]

Thanks! and thanks for watching!

[@davidprobert8223]

Hi Joe, enjoyed your video comparison, can you tell me what editing suite you use please

[@JoeOceanside]

The color correction software is the dive plus app, I use premiere pro to edit my youtube videos. Thanks for watching

[@yacht_starfish1668]

Really helpful. Thanks!

[@JoeOceanside]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching

[@marksstuff8773]

It would be interesting if you also took a good dive torch with you to see the real colours and compare those to the no filter and red filter. Then you would see what the real colour is and what exactly the red does. My view, the red filter made everything look yellow/orange colour. Not a good look. Cheers.

[@JoeOceanside]

Yes the dive light would deliver the best results. Would only work on subjects close to the camera and light though

[@pauldarnbrough9334]

Would like to see a side by side by side comparisons(natural .. red ilter .. Dive+ app

[@pauldarnbrough9334]

Sorry .. red filter

[@JoeOceanside]

Yeah its hard to get all three side by side at the same time in the edit, but I will try that for you next time. I think I will make a video all about how to use the dive plus app. Thanks for watching!

[@JoeOceanside]

Yeah I think for deeper the red filter may be better, someone did suggest the magenta filter for the shallower depth I was at

[@SlayerVR.666]

I like the no filter more

[@vinsongreer1859]

Dumb question, how do you use a computer to enhance the underwater video?

[@danicoal]

Thanks for the vid. What computer corrector program do you use?

[@JoeOceanside]

I used the dive plus app, it is amazing

[@robshepherd2653]

where exactly is that at? I would love to do a video there also. I love Jesus very much. .. I think the filter looked better than without but the computer filter looked best most of the time.

[@JoeOceanside]

This is the "Christ of the Abyss" statue in North Dry Rocks in Key Largo Florida, it is part of John Pennekamp Coral reef state park. Thanks for watching

[@WetSouls]

Thanks. Nice vid. Depends on the situation really. How do You find red filters hold up at greater depth in combination with lights?

[@JoeOceanside]

Thanks glad you like the vid. I do not use the filters with a light. A light brings the full spectrum of colors back out on whatever it is shining on.

[@WetSouls]

@@JoeOceanside 👌🏼

[@aliadams420]

Red filter is to red I think the computer color is the best

[@JoeOceanside]

Yeah I was a bit to shallow to use such a red filter. Someone suggested I use a magenta filter so its not so aggressive color change. and yeah the Dive plus app is amazing at fixing color

[@charl1em0uze89]

Hey Joe... Doesnt the GoPro have a color balance setting for underwater which would do the same thing without need for a filter? My DJI Action Cam has.

[@monkeboi4134]

How do you colour correct?

[@Smittyschannel]

what could you use to get an in between? one or the other doesn't look as good as a slight mix of the two. Maybe a pink

[@Lahlouification]

@hugomattson Thanks for the vid!! How does it look for the human eye when you dive? Do you lose the reds as much as the camera doee? If so, are there any red filter goggles or other instruments you can use to enjoy the colours of the reef?

[@kthx1138]

Did you have the GoPro on auto white-balance, WB preset like 5500K or native?

[@DiveMonster]

Very nice comparison, as it shows, that the filters are basically useless, and a bit playing on the PC gives way better results. The colors with the Filters look really bad (One is acceptable). It makes the images worse, look like bad colored flick from the 1950s with higher resolution. It is much easier to make a few different reds as full screen images and add the layers in low opacity on top of the scene. One can also play with the opacity to get the desired results. 2nd option (with a bit a learning curve). Get DaVinci Resolve for free. While it is quite complicated, the color correction is pretty simple and the results are great. Both options are free and deliver an about ahundredandahalf miles better result than the dreadful filters. Computer corrected is the clear winner.

[@JoeOceanside]

Yeah I agree with you, I use premiere normally and can get a good enough color. Thanks for watching

[@DiveMonster]

​@@JoeOceanside My little Monster is using PremierePro for all her stuff. I usually just play around with PowerDirector. That is perfect for a lazy old Monster, with tons of presets and effects (and huge shutterstock library). DaVinci is only for color correction, and for snippets I want to really look good

[@brockseals8884]

Man you can hold your breath

[@jaguaresed]

Sometimes filter looks goodand sometimes no filter looks better, how or where do you get that computer correct

[@JoeOceanside]

The app is called Dive+ it is for smartphone. Thanks for watching

[@jaguaresed]

@@JoeOceanside thanks good content

[@MotherAmerica-nu2sz]

What was the computer correction? Program?

[@elichavez3068]

Would color corrected red filter shed the excess red?

[@hermangroenewald6939]

Than you for the information. what depth did you take these photo's? reason for asking i took a video in green water and was 7 meter below with a red filter and most of the video was more red to yellow. Can it be the filter that was wrong choice or should've i just left placed the magnetic filter on which is a bit lighter. Keep posting the videos i do like them a lot. Regards Herman Groenewald South Africa

[@tomjandron8565]

I think overall the Dive plus app did a better job

[@JoeOceanside]

Yeah, I agree. It is a great app. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@mohammad_m_h9075]

With out red filter is better

[@JoeOceanside]

Yeah, I like it with the computer color correction thanks for watching and commenting

[@Fcortezz93]

Hello friend, filters are used with water?

[@hongk0ngfu3y]

which strength filter did you use? they normally come in 3

[@JoeOceanside]

In this video I believe I used the lower strength red, alot of people recommended the magenta for such a shallow dive

[@Rooster-Who]

What editor are you using to add the color

[@alessioagu]

Which program can change this colours on pc?

[@michaelsadventures956]

What computer video editing program do you use ??

[@lucaserafini4209]

How can i correct my underwater by computer? Do you know some easy software and set??

[@erwinunfiltered9810]

Do you save the video to your phone then edit on the dive plus app?

[@c.patricksadowski9959]

What program are you using to color correct?

[@JoeOceanside]

Patrick it was the Dive + app. Thanks for watching!

[@SimAviify]

So what software do you recommend for colour correction?

[@giosuedallavecchia3452]

Sorry how do you edit in premiere?

[@denzelvanliempt1560]

How you do the computer correction?

[@ezekielnwoba5143]

No filter

[@ryangrayson5289]

How do you do the colour correction on the computer?

[@JoeOceanside]

This time I used the Dive+ app on my phone. It is amazing. Otherwise I would use the color correction panel in Premiere Pro. I made a video about it a while back

[@shaimaali2118]

Dive+ avaliable for desktop?

[@pEinETF]

What do you use when doing computer only filter?

[@JoeOceanside]

It is called Dive+ app

[@wildfamily2018]

What program corrects it

[@wildfamily2018]

It said it at the end lol

[@Ferinm]

Computer correct looks same as no filter

[@JoeOceanside]

Really? I thought it looked better

[@Ferinm]

@@JoeOceanside no ways, anything original is always better 😊

[@adayinthelife5772]

Computer hands down.

[@JoeOceanside]

Yeah I agree, it is almost perfect

[@Ferinm]

No filter looks better

[@JoeOceanside]

It is the sharpest but I dont know about the colors

[@MARIUS-CONSTANTIN]

Computer color correction… for all around.

[@RedMushroom23]

No filter is much better

[@jayknuffke285]

What do you use to computer color correct please? And thank you!

[@jayknuffke285]

Great video by the way.

[@edoardomariascardamaglia4325]

Thats a not good Red filter

[@JoeOceanside]

Yeah its a cheapie

[@edoardomariascardamaglia4325]

@@JoeOceanside when I reread the comment it sounded offensive, sorry XD