I was recently searching online for a specific code for a Rosco gel I had cut from a larger one (which I lost and with it the label), and came across some really cool new filters from Rosco, but more on them a bit further down below in the post. In my opinion, light modifiers and colour accessories for cinematography often take a back seat as fancy and expensive digital cinema cameras and lenses get talked about and pixel peeped to death… I don’t know about you guys, but I am sort of getting tired of cameras (there’s just so many of them) and have long ago opted to expand my knowledge and focus more on lighting and craft without getting too bogged down in the technical details and all the “K”s and all the “fps”.
Without discounting the paramount importance of understanding how your camera and lenses behave, I much rather focus more on improving my lighting and composition skills as well as camera movement (and justifying reasons for it). That’s my current image making philosophy; all of a sudden, “what was this shot on” becomes less relevant, since I can apply my craft to any camera regardless of how many K’s it shoots…
Rosco has been in the business of colouring and shaping light for more than a century (and you better be familiar with them) and just launched its new OPTI-SCULPT filters for the Film and TV industry. The innovative new range of filters provides precise angular beam control – enabling lighting professionals to accurately and affordably control the shape of their light and has been optimised for the latest generation LED lighting solutions we all love and enjoy.
The “sci-fi” named OPTI-SCULPT range of light modifiers is available in six different symmetrical and asymmetrical patterns, including: 10°, 10°x20°, 10°x30°, 10°x60° and 15°x35°. The sixth pattern, the 40°/60° Reversible filter, is truly unique as it is actually two filters in one; install it one direction for a 40° beam spread, install it the other way for a 60° beam spread.
“We’re thrilled to introduce OPTI-SCULPT. These filters have been engineered to enable lighting professionals to accurately control the shape of their light,” said Tracey Cosgrove, Rosco’s Director of Products. “Rosco has been coloring and shaping light for 108 years, and OPTI-SCULPT filters are a continuation of that legacy. This important innovation will allow our customers to achieve new lighting control with their current fixtures in ways they never could with existing diffusion filters.”
Rosco OPTI-SCULPT Filters Features
- Engineered and laboratory tested for accurate and repeatable beam shaping
- High transmission vs. standard diffusion materials
- Optimised for LED fixtures
- Manufactured using heat-resistant, flame-retardant polycarbonate
- Durable – the filter’s performance is not adversely affected by dust or fingerprints.
- Six Patterns:
- 10°
- 10°x20°
- 10°x30°
- 10°x60°
- 15°x35°
- 40°/60° Reversible
- 20” x 24” and 40” x 24” (50cm x 60cm and 100cm x 60cm) Sheets
- Price: TBD
- Request a sample here
Rosco’s unique, proprietary OPTI-SCULPT manufacturing process features engineered light distribution that has been laboratory tested for accuracy and repeatability.
Because of these tests, Rosco gives cinematographers peace of mind they are getting precise, angular beam control by passing the light through non-diffracting structures for even beam distribution – without any colour-shift. This uniform control of the beam angle sculpts the beam into circular or linear patterns for any project where beam shaping is required.
Due to their clear polycarbonate plastic material they are manufactured from, the new OPTI-SCULPT provide increased brightness over traditional diffusion and holographic filters and feature a very fine matte texture on the backside; OPTI-SCULPT helps improve transmission by removing reflective light loss.
The beam sculpting structures engineered inside the plastic also provide a natural back scatter that helps eliminate hotspots without a significant reduction of light output.
While OPTI-SCULPT was originally engineered for use on LED fixtures, it is also suitable for use on traditional tungsten instruments.
Manufactured using a heat-resistant, flame-retardant polycarbonate base, you can get the new OPTI-SCULPT gels in either 20” x 24” and 40” x 24” (50cm x 60cm and 100cm x 60cm) seamless sheets that can be cut to any size and shape. Unlike expensive, fragile holographic films, OPTI-SCULPT prevents dust and fingerprints from showing in the projected beam – allowing designers and technicians the ability to handle the filters as-needed without worrying about damaging their optical properties.
There is no word on pricing yet, but I am sure you can get a price from your local Rosco dealer. For more info head over to Rosco here.
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