Roscolux is comprised of two types of plastic.
More than 65% of the line is made from co-extruded polycarbonate
plastic. The remainder of the line is deep dyed polyester.
Sheets: 50 x 61 cm Rolls: 1.2m x 7.62m
HOW COLOUR FILTERS WORK
Filters create colour by subtracting certain wavelengths
of colour. Thus, a red filter absorbs blue and green,
allowing only the red wavelengths to pass. The process
is subtractive, not additive, so the light source must
emit a full spectrum.
The Rosco swatchbook provides detailed information on
the spectral energy curve of each filter. The curve describes
the wavelengths of colour transmitted through each filter.
For example, Supergel 342 transmits approximately 40%
of the violet and blue energy of the spectrum and 75%
of the orange and red energy. It absorbs all energy in
the yellow and green range.
Durability
The life of colour filters depends on many variables:
the colour, the instrument and lamp used, the dimmer
level a filter generally runs at, and the amount of time
the light is running. For these reasons it is impossible
to assign a "life" for each filter. However some basics
knowledge and experience can help with estimates. Dark
green and dark blue filters usually burn out the fastest
because they absorb the most infrared energy. Absorbing
the extra infrared energy causes the plastic to reach
it's melting temperature faster. When darker filters
are needed try choosing filters that transmit high amounts
of the 700 nm range. You can find this information by
looking at the Spectral Energy Distribution (S.E.D.)
curve located in the swatchbook for each Supergel colour
filter. Filters than transmit high levels at 700 nm may
also transmit high levels in the infrared range above
700 nm.(See the Supergel swatchbook for information on
how to read S.E.D. curves.)
To prolong the life of a colour filter, align your ellipsoidal
lamp to a flat field focus. (Get rid of the hot spot.)
You can increase the distance between the lamp and the
filter by using a top hat or barn door. In extreme cases,
try Rosco Heat Shield or Thermashield to prolong the
life of your filters.
Never use a plastic filter directly in front of an open
faced lamp. This will nearly always cause premature failure
because the heat is trapped and it has nowhere to go
except to the plastic filter. Always allow a suitable
air gap. HOW COLOUR FILTERS ARE MANUFACTURED TODAY
Body-Coloured
In a body-coloured colour filter, like Supergel, the
colourant is integrated within the plastic substrate.
The process starts with powdered resin and dye being
fed into an extruder. Under intense pressure and heat
approaching 600ºF, the drive screw combines the
melted resin and dye into a through-coloured "honey".
This coloured mixture is extruded through a die which
forms it into the coloured core of a film 61cm wide.
The excellent performance on a light of this engineered
filter is a function of both the higher temperature resistance
of the base polymer combined with the unique technology
which seals the colour core between clear layers. For
the colour to fade by dye sublimation, the dye molecules
must migrate out of the body-coloured internal layer
through the clear sealing layers. As a result, body-coloured
filters are the most durable fade-resistant. Moreover,
Rosco utilizes a select form of polycarbonate that is
flame retardant to meet the most stringent International
standards for fire safety.
Deep-Dyed
Deep-dyed colour filters, like Roscolux, begin with a
roll of clear polyester. The film is passed through a
bath of heated solvent suffused with dye. The solvent
causes the film to swell expanding the polymer structure
and allowing the dye molecules to penetrate the surface.
The film is then washed and the polymer contracts to
its normal form, trapping the dye molecules below the
surface. Compared to surface coating, more extreme temperatures
are required to cause the dye particles to sublimate
through the surface. Deep-dyed filters are, therefore,
more resistant to fading than surface coated.
Surface Coated
The easiest way to produce a colour filter is to simply
coat the colour on top of a plastic film base. Most of
Rosco's E-Colour+ range and Lee Filters® are manufactured
using this process. Polyester film is widely used as
a base material for colouring since it will accept coatings
of properly applied solvent-based colouring lacquers.
Other than air drying, no heat is involved in the process,
so dyes used need not be heat-resistant. Surface coated
polyester filters begin as a roll of clear film which
is then "painted" with a dye solution on one or both
sides. Of all three methods used for manufacturing colour
filters surface coating is the oldest technology and
the product is most susceptible to fading from heat.
HOW TO READ AN S.E.D. CURVE
The spectral
energy distribution curve of each Roscolux filter describes
the wavelengths of colour transmitted through the individual
filters. For example, Roscolux #342 transmits approximately
40% of the violet and blue energy of the spectrum and 75%
of the orange and red energy. It blocks all energy in the
yellow and green range.
The "Trans." Percentage refers to overall light transmission
that is allowed to pass through each individual filter.
Spectral Energy Distribution Curve
Available in sheets of 20in. x
24in. (50cm x 61cm) or rolls
of 24in. x 25ft. (61cm x 7.62m).
If you require rolls of larger dimensions the Roscolux
line of filters is available in rolls
of 48in. x 25ft. (122cm x 7.62m).
Roscolux
#00: Clear
A durable, heat resistant polycarbonate film used in
the preparation of color scrollers to allow the passage
from a color to clear. (Transmission = 100%).
Roscolux
#02: Bastard Amber
Good where a tint of color is needed. Excellent for natural
skin tones. (Transmission = 78%).
Roscolux
#302: Pale Bastard Amber
Very pale warm white. Perfect for enhancing the HPL lamp
in a Source Four. (Transmission = 88%).
Roscolux
#3410: Roscosun 1/8 CTO
Converts 5500K to 4900K (Transmission not available).
Roscolux
#3409: Roscosun 1/4 CTO
Converts 5500K to 4500K (Transmission not available).
Roscolux
#3408: Roscosun 1/2 CTO
Converts 500K to 3800K (Transmission not available).
Roscolux
#310: Daffodil
A soft medium yellow. Can be used for creating naturalistic
effects such as early morning sunlight or for special
effects. (Transmission = 82%).
Roscolux
#12: Straw
Greener yellow than 10. Special effects and accents.
Use with caution on skin tones. (Transmission = 88%).
Roscolux
#16: Light Amber
Excellent area light. Light pink-amber tint. Safe for
most light skin tones. (Transmission = 68%).
Roscolux
#316: Gallo Gold
A pale reddish gold, good for creating sunrise or sunset,
or simulating incandescent light. A flattering naturalistic
backlight color. Can be used for warm area lighting.
(Transmission = 58%).
Roscolux
#17: Light Flame
Heavier pink-amber tint. Useful for dance. Especially
useful when balanced with a cool color. Good general
warm tint in striplights. (Transmission = 56%).
Roscolux
#318: Mayan Sun
A medium salmon color which evokes feeling of a tropical
island. A good sunset color. Interesting backlight and
accent color. Good for warm tonal effects. (Transmission
= 52%).
Roscolux
#21: Golden Amber
Useful for amber cyc light and late sunsets. (Transmission
= 43%).
Roscolux
#321: Soft Golden Amber
An amber with some green content. A good sunlight transition
color that shows the progression of the sun from white
or yellow to amber later in the day. (Transmission =
39%).
Roscolux
#23: Orange
Provides a romantic sunlight through windows for evening
effects. (Transmission = 32%).
Roscolux
#4615: CalColor 15 Red
(Transmission = 67%).
Roscolux
#4630: CalColor 30 Red
(Transmission = 55%).
Roscolux
#4660: CalColor 60 Red
(Transmission = 39%).
Roscolux
#4690: CalColor 90 Red
(Transmission = 30%).
Roscolux
#325: Henna Sky
Toasted red-amber color. Useful in re-creating setting
sun or as a dramatic cyc. (Transmission = 18%).
Roscolux
#26: Light Red
Vibrant red. Good alternative primary. (Transmission
= 12%).
Roscolux
#33: No Color Pink
A pale almost colorless pink. (Transmission = 65%).
Roscolux
#333: Blush Pink
A pink tint that is excellent for most skin tones. A
good color for warm area lighting. Lighter than 33. (Transmission
= 71%).
Roscolux
#3318: Tough 1/8 Minusgreen
Partial green absorbing filter. (Transmission not available).
Roscolux
#3314: Tough 1/4 Minusgreen
Partial green absorbing filter. (Transmission not available).
Roscolux
#3313: Tough 1/2 Minusgreen
Partial green absorbing filter. (Transmission not available).
Roscolux
#3308: Tough Minusgreen
Converts cool white flourescents to daylight. (Transmission
not available).
Roscolux
#34: Flesh Pink
Useful for bright musicals. Creates a happy atmosphere.
(Transmission = 45%).
Roscolux
#59: Indigo
The original Congo Blue. A purple-blue, highly saturated,
for modeling effects and non-realistic atmospheres. (Transmission
= 2%).
Roscolux
#3216: Eighth Blue
Boosts 3200K to 3300K (Transmission not available).
Roscolux
#3208: Quarter Blue
Boosts 3200K to 3500K (Transmission not available).
Roscolux
#3206: Third Blue
Boosts 3200K to 3800K (Transmission not available).
Roscolux
#3204: Half Blue
Boosts 3200K to 4100K (Transmission not available).
Roscolux
#3203: Three Quarter Blue
(Transmission = 41%).
Roscolux
#3202: Full Blue
Boosts 3200K to 5500K (Transmission not available).
Roscolux
#3220: Double Blue
(Transmission = 10%).
Roscolux
#4215: CalColor 15 Blue
(Transmission = 57%).
Roscolux
#4230: CalColor 30 Blue
(Transmission = 42%).
Roscolux
#4260: CalColor 60 Blue
(Transmission = 24%).
Roscolux
#4290: CalColor 90 Blue
(Transmission = 15%).
Roscolux
#60: No Color Blue
Helps maintain white light when dimmer is at low intensity.
(Transmission = 62%).
Roscolux
#360: Clearwater
The slightest blue tint. Excellent for eliminating amber
shift when lights are running low on a dimmer. Good for
cool area light. (Transmission = 52%).
Roscolux
#62: Booster Blue
Helps maintain white light when dimmer is at low intensity.
(Transmission = 54%).
Roscolux
#362: Tipton Blue
A soft clean blue. Good choice for cool area lighting.
Can also be used to shift the amber of lamps running
at low dimmer levels. (Transmission = 32%).
Roscolux
#364: Blue Bell
A clean light red blue. Creates naturalistic daylight
fill color. Good cool area light. (Transmission = 32%).
Roscolux
#65: Daylight Blue
Useful for achieving depressed moods and dull skies.
(Transmission = 35%).
Roscolux
#365: Tharon Delft Blue
Clean blue with more red than 364. A true color correction
filter for film. Converts 3200�°K
to 5500�°K. Good for area light. (Transmission
= 36%).
Roscolux
#4307: 7 Cyan
Photographic lighting filter equal to CC07C. Enhances
blue and green transmission by effectively reducing red
exposure by 1/4 stop. Heat resistant base. Deep dyed.
(Transmission = 78%).
Roscolux
#375: Cerulean Blue
A crisp, clean blue-green. Useful as a water effect or
as a sidelight for dance. (Transmission = 32%).
Roscolux
#376: Bermuda Blue
A soothing green blue. More blue than 76. A good conventional
moonlight color. Interesting tonal color. (Transmission
= 6%).
Roscolux
#77: Green Blue
Distinctive greenish blues. Useful for romantic moonlight.
(Transmission = 9%).
Roscolux
#378: Alice Blue
A rich clean red blue that warms to lavender when dimmed.
(Transmission = 15%).
Roscolux
#2007: VS Blue
(Transmission = 10%).
Roscolux
#80: Primary Blue
Primary blue. For use with three color light primary
system in cyc lighting. (Transmission = 9%).
Roscolux
#83: Medium Blue
Good for non-realistic night skies. (Transmission = 4%).
Roscolux
#87: Pale Yellow Green
Sunny spring mornings. (Transmission = 85%).
Roscolux
#4415: CalColor 15 Green
(Transmission = 67%).
Roscolux
#4430: CalColor 30 Green
(Transmission = 52%).
Roscolux
#4460: CalColor 60 Green
(Transmission = 32%).
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}