Using Cokin filters as Flash Gel??

[hangerhead]

Just wondering if anyone's tried this.

for example, taking fill-in flash pictures during sunset - would using my sunset filter over the flash (rubber band or blu-tac for fixative) help to balance the colour a little better than using bare flash?

[cherryrig]

Just go on Lee Filters (http://www.leefilters.com/lighting/contact/) and ask for swatch book. Which is one of these.
http://www.instructables.com/files/deriv/FL3/8MA7/FEG406ET/FL38MA7FEG406ET.MEDIUM.jpg

That fit perfectly over the flash

Then if you check out Lighting Mods (http://lightingmods.blogspot.com/2007/07/diy-lee-filters-flash-adapter_08.html) it tells you how to use them ;)

[hangerhead]

hi - cheers.
i'd already done that but they'd not arrived yet.
just wondered if the cokin filters option was reasonable.

[cherryrig]

When did you ask for them??

[hangerhead]

about...5 weeks ago?
although i wonder if i used the global (US) site when I did it.
they told me they had none spare but would send when available.

[cherryrig]

You prob did use the US site. Try again with the link I posted as I got mine within 3days twice ;)

[hangerhead]

ok done :)

since you've used them already, could you post which of them are suitable for balancing the flash when taking pictures in yellow sunset or even pink sunset?
Cheers :)

[cherryrig]

I don't see why you are using flash for a sunset?!

Is there a subject matter which you are photographing?

[photon]

I use an orange Sunpak flash filter taped to my flash to balance with warm (actually cool, in colour temperature) fluorescents (your typical energy saving bulbs) and the camera set to tungsten WB. Fine tuning is still required in post processing, and in your case you wouldn't want to lose the orange/red hues.

[cherryrig]

What are you guys using a flash for, I don't get??

[hangerhead]

a few sunset type portraits i've taken ended up looking like i'd used a backdrop.
i wanted to keep the pink/orange background (sunset hues), but i needed to slightly change the colour of the flash output to more closely imitate the latent lighting.

without the gel, any colour balance would either over-exaggerate or remove the colours i waited for.

[cherryrig]

I understand now. I thought you were just using the flash on the sunset alone. To not give that two different photos feeling try and match up the ambient as good as you can without getting that look

[hangerhead]

thanks for the replies.

now just waiting for the gels and now decent sunsets to try again :D

[cherryrig]

No prob

:lol:

:)

[paul cull-pearce]

Got mine Lee filters today...it only took 2 days.

Paul

[paul cull-pearce]

Looking at ways to put the filter onto the flash head.

Any ideas ?

Paul

[foodpoison]

I got my set this morning. Ordered them yesterday under my name, and thought I'd give myself the title of 'Dr' :D

Felt well chuffed when there was a big packet with the name 'Dr S Taylor' on the front :D

But yeah I've used a few, look great. Can't wait to use them :)

[cherryrig]

Looking at ways to put the filter onto the flash head.

Any ideas ?

Paul

Have a look at my post at the near the top it has the answer ;)

[liss]

got mine today

dont know how to use them though lol

[paul cull-pearce]

Have a look at my post at the near the top it has the answer ;)

:thumbs: Thankyou.

Paul

[hangerhead]

mine also arrived within around 2 days...now just need to patiently wait for a nice sunset... :/

[DinoS]

why do you use colours on the flash? Help please. is it to balance or to add an unusal coloour.

[whiteflyer]

Once you have your swatch book, you'll need to make one of these.
http://www.craigcolvin.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/flash_gel_holder-3226-300x236.jpg

Construction details are Here (http://www.craigcolvin.com/blog/?page_id=29) and if you make one could you please do one for me too. :lol:

[DinoS]

link doesn't work

[photon]

why do you use colours on the flash? Help please. is it to balance or to add an unusal coloour.

Here it's to balance and maybe enhance. I've got several old Sunpak flashes with their optional filter kits (orange, red, green, blue, ND and diffuser), made 10 or more years ago. In their era, they were for obvious creative effects plus contrast enhancements with B&W. Lens filters would help with colour balance but removing a cast was a black art and not sorted with software. The orange Sunpak filter is too strong, but better than nowt. One of the Lambency sellers on fleabay supplies filters as well as an orange dome. I don't think much of the Lambency/Fong (will give it a go with a greaseproof paper diffuser, but it's too heavy). Nevertheless, the various combinations with/without the filter and average, tungsten or custom white balance can usually find an OK balance with "warm" fluorescents.

[DinoS]

thanks

[cherryrig]

It is just basically to help with white balance when using flashes in man made or unnatrual lighting. There is a post on the Strobist site about why gels are used which is worth a read.