Re: [lens] Re: Dimming hot lights

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Gregory,

No, color temp meters don't tell you what film speed or filter factor to use. They only tell what filters to use for a given film type to compensate for the color temperature of your light source, including any gel you might place on it. You have to look at the instructions with your individual filters for compensation starting points.

Kodak gels list an exposure adjustment for each one. I think it's listed both in stops and as a filter factor which is applied to the time. I know they list the stops to adjust. Use one or the other. If you use both than you enter into to some mind numbing mathematics.

Filters change the color temperature of the light that enters the lens and exposes your film. All film is sensitive to color temperature and respond uniquely to it. It's this response for which you must compensate.

Go out an purchase Ansel Adams, The Negative, if you don't have it, and read what he says about filters and artificial light sources. All the information you need is in there. It is about twenty years old but the physics have not changed even though the materials have.

Further, when you photograph into early (dawn) or late (dusk) light, or subjects illuminated by them, it is helpful to adjust your EI (Exposure Index) to compensate for the change in color temperature. This temperature, like the use of tungsten light, is warmer than full daylight, roughly equivalent to b&w yellow to orange filters.

Likewise, when photographing in high altitude, it's necessary to adjust your filter factors to accommodate for the much colder color temperature of the more intense blue light in the shadows. All of this is the same as when using artificial light that deviates from 5500K, the average color temperature of full sun light at sea level.

Peace!
Sidney


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