Speedlite Gels - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/13/2007 12:38:13 AM · #1

I'm waiting for my new speedlight to arrive, and trying to find a "CTO gel" solution. I've read about these, but can't find anything. I called my local major camera store (who have everything, and generally know what they are talking about), and they tell me that Nikon flashes come with a few gels to fit, but Canons don't, and they said they don't really have anything that will suit. They also don't have any seperate packs for Nikon flashes.

Cmon! There has to be a way!

Can I use orange cellophane (and other colours)?
Will it melt?
Will it be impossible to get a good tungsten WB?
What else can I use?

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

08/13/2007 12:44:47 AM · #2

Last year I went out a bought a bunch of rolls of different colored cellophane. I just cut out the sizes I wanted (sometimes the cellophane is doubled up once or twice to give the density I wanted). Then I just used a rubber band to hold them on the flash head.

Hmmm... looks like I have a couple of shots with red and green online:

Message edited by author 2007-08-13 00:45:17.

Tycho

Nikon D70

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

08/13/2007 12:53:16 AM · #3

Strobist has some links to online stores that sell Rosco gels

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

08/13/2007 12:53:21 AM · #4

Good to know at least it won't melt. Now I just have to find out if I can get a good tungsten colour with cello. Has anyone tried this? I get very picky about WB, so I suspect cello is not going to give me a good colour anyway.

I saw somewhere recently that you could get a set of B&H filters for 0.01c (promotional item), but I can't find anything on their website anywhere. :(

hsteg

Fujifilm X-T20

08/13/2007 12:57:01 AM · #5

Just add something like this to your next BH photo purchase...

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35 f/4 ED VR

08/13/2007 01:05:29 AM · #6

Originally posted by hsteg:

Just add something like this to your next BH photo purchase...

Yep, that's what I'd heard about. Same thing is available from Amazon (and it's in stock there for a couple of dollars). It looks like the book is held together with a pin. Is the hole in each page a problem for gelling a speedlite?

Also, the dimensions, 2.75" x 1.75" look to be only just marginal to cover the speedlite. I don't have mine yet, so I can't measure it.

Followup - Amazon won't ship to Australia. Adorama will only ship international express, which costs US$41. :( There's another strobist link for smaller gel kits, so I think that's my only option.

Thanks for the info! At least I found something now. :)

Message edited by author 2007-08-13 01:48:47.

darnok

Nikon D850

08/13/2007 06:06:35 AM · #7

You can order a free swatch book from Rosco, as long as you are not in a hurry...

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35 f/4 ED VR

08/13/2007 06:22:25 AM · #8

Yes, I read around, and it sounds like ordering the free Rosco booklet is a bit of a waste of time. I've ordered some gels from photogels. They'll hopefully be here in a couple of weeks, so I'm happy with that.

Interestingly, I did a couple of shots with orange cellophane, and two layers of that was actually pretty close to getting it right with tungsten WB. Cello will certainly work well for effect colours (and my wife has plenty of different colours I can use), but I know I'm going to get picky with the orange and the blue, so I just bought them. :)

darnok

Nikon D850

08/13/2007 06:27:47 AM · #9

Originally posted by surfdabbler:

It's still worth getting a Rosco swatch book as it has so many colours in

Firsty

Fujifilm X-E1

Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS

08/13/2007 06:55:38 AM · #10

David
I dropped into Rosco's down here in Sydney last week and picked up a "full CTO" sheet and the "green fluorescent correction" sheet

they are a lot bigger than I need and I'm plaining to cut them into
smaller 8" x 5" sheets, enough for 6 gels each (slightly bigger than their sample gels so large enough for speed lights)

I have 8 spare sets (first come first served)
Australia only mailed normal post $5.00 per set

this only just covers my costs and is a one off only

Message edited by author 2007-08-13 06:58:10.

08/13/2007 07:04:39 AM · #11

Aha, I see you have edited the size! Good, I was going to ask about that. :) 5" is preferable, as I will probably just rubberband them to my flash. Let me see if I can cancel my order first. If I can, I'd love a set from you. I will let you know ASAP.

Message edited by author 2007-08-13 07:04:52.