Kodak Wratten Gel filters, optical quality?

Pasto · Oct 12, 2010

I'm setting up to do some interior pictures in 4x5 with color film. I'm wondering about the optical quality of Kodak gels for CC and CB. Their quality is supposed to be very high, but close inspection of my new gels indicates surface imperfections (warps and bumps) that can't be good for image quality....I'm worried. Should I consider resin or glass instead?? Any experiences are much appreciated.

Casey Kidwell · Oct 12, 2010

I've never had a problem with them. I did 8x10 repro grade trans with some cc filters of questionable condition for years and it never seemed to make a difference.

Ian Grant · Oct 12, 2010

Quality dropped after Kodak bought the company

More seriously try them first the quality is very high despite looking at the surface obliquely, they aren't glass and you'll be surprised how good they are in practice, there's no drop in quality. (Kodak took over Wratten in 1912 to get Mees to head their research).

Ian

Pasto · Oct 12, 2010

Thanks, I feel a lot better now.

Any issues with using two over the lens in seperate holders? I'm thinking about reflections off the inner surfaces in particular...

DanielStone · Oct 14, 2010

REFLECTIONS:

use a lens hood. that should cut down any problems with reflections. I've used the 3" versions(75mm) with my view cameras, and using the same shade that I use for my RZ(G3 bellows hood), it works very well. No problems so far, even shooting with the sun to the side!

-Dan

aluncrockford · Oct 14, 2010

It was standard practice to put gel filters on the back element , I suspect this is to reduce flare , if you look at sinar shutters they have a facility to hold them ,with copal shutters lee do a starter pack gel holder which uses a elastic band ,that should do the trick

frotog · Oct 14, 2010

Try hunting down a horseman behind the lens filter holder. These wrattens are like dust magnets and nigh impossible to clean.

Kodak Wratten Gel filters, optical quality?

Pasto

Casey Kidwell

Ian Grant

Pasto

DanielStone

aluncrockford

frotog

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