FAQs
Q. How long will my Gel filters last?
A. It depends on the ambient conditions such as the power of a lamp, the distance the filter is from lamp, ambient light and how much UV there is etc. LEE Filters are unable to provide any specific data on a filter's longevity. Please not that Glass Dichroic filters do not fade.
Q. What is the heat resistance of lighting filters?
A. The maximum operating temperatures for LEE lighting filters are as follows: Polyester Filters 180°C, High Temperature (HT) Filters 220°C and Glass Dichroic Filters 371°C.
Q. Will my filters burn?
A. Most Polyester filters and all High Temperature (HT) filters are flame retardant to BS3944. Not all LEE Lighting Filters are flame retardant. If a filter is non-flame retardant it is highlighted on both the website and in the product literature.
Q. If I put my filters in front of an high watt lamp will they burn?
A. This depends on how the filter is mounted, distance away from the lamp, the air flow around the lamp and the angle of the lamp. It is a complex calculation and we are unable to give any specific advice about filter withstanding a particular power of lamp.
Q. What are the three primary colours?
A. There is no specific primary set, tests show that 119 Dark Blue, 124 Dark Green and 164 Flame Red produce the best primary set of filters.
Q. How thick are the gel filters?
A. Most Polyester coloured effect filters are 0.08mm thick. Diffusion filters vary in thickness.
Q. Are LEE Filters self adhesive?
A. There are currently no self adhesive filters in the LEE Filters range. Double sided sticky tape works well.
Q. How do I attach my filters to some Perspex / window etc?
A. This largely depends on the application and final effect wanted, but an easy way is double sided sticky tape.
Q. What are the filters made from?
A. All standard filters are made from a thin surface coated PET (Polyester Film). All High Temperature (HT) filters are made form a surface coated Polycarbonate film. Dichroic filters are surface coated (with ultra thin metals) Borofloat Glass.
Q. What does the Y value mean?
A. It gives a value of the amount of visible light the filter transmits. The higher the Y value the lighter the filter and vice-versa.
Q. What filter do I need to convert a xK lamp to a colour temperature of yK ?
A. For example converting a 4200k lamp to 6000K you need to do the following calculation. Divide initial source into 1,000,000 = 1,000,000 / 4200 = 238 mireds, then divide the desired colour temperature into 1,000,000 = 1,000,000 / 6000 = 167 mireds. Subtract sum one from sum two 167 - 238 = -71 mired shift (the minus sign is important!). Select the filter with the nearest mired shift to -71, in this case it is 202 Half CT Blue (-78 mired shift). For mired shift values see our mired shift calculator on this website.