Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Cameras, Lenses and Shooting gear => Topic started by: spclark on June 22, 2017, 09:37:50 pm

Title: Plastic Wratten Filters? Anywhere Anymore?
Post by: spclark on June 22, 2017, 09:37:50 pm
Up until about 15-20 years ago one could obtain certain #'s of Wratten filters in 3" square plastic.

Anybody know if somehow these might still be available?

Somewhere?

Gels unfortunately won't work too well for the application I'm exploring, nor would glass.

(Even if they might yet be on a shelf somewhere, awiting a buyer.)
Title: Re: Plastic Wratten Filters? Anywhere Anymore?
Post by: BrownBear on June 23, 2017, 12:27:22 am
Do you mean resin rather than plastic?  Here (https://www.edmundoptics.com/optics/optical-filters/color-dichroic-filters/kodak-wratten-filters/) are some resin versions. Scroll down and same source also lists plastic filters.
Title: Re: Plastic Wratten Filters? Anywhere Anymore?
Post by: Chris D on June 23, 2017, 07:23:57 am
You can still get them new, but they're expensive now.... Kodak wratten.  Check apug, lf forum or even eBay for new old stock. I found a bunch(including a huge collection) for a project a couple years ago - they went behind the lens for large lenses on 8x10.


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Title: Re: Plastic Wratten Filters? Anywhere Anymore?
Post by: Bart_van_der_Wolf on June 23, 2017, 09:02:23 am
Do you mean resin rather than plastic?  Here (https://www.edmundoptics.com/optics/optical-filters/color-dichroic-filters/kodak-wratten-filters/) are some resin versions. Scroll down and same source also lists plastic filters.

Small correction, from your link:

WRATTEN Filter:

A type of filter created by dissolving organic dyes in a gelatin material to achieve the desired spectral performance. The gelatin liquid and dye combination is then coated onto a supportive substrate until it has dried. After removal from the substrate, the film is coated with laquer for protection. Although the filters are coated, they should be handled only by the edges or in the corners to avoid damage.

The Wratten filters are made from organic dyes in gelatin, lacquer coated for protection.

They are produced/sold by Tiffen (http://www.tiffen.com/kpa.html).

Cheers,
Bart
Title: Re: Plastic Wratten Filters? Anywhere Anymore?
Post by: scyth on June 23, 2017, 09:05:55 am
Gels unfortunately won't work too well for the application I'm exploring, nor would glass.


out of curiosity and if it is not a big secret - why those are not suitable exactly ?
Title: Re: Plastic Wratten Filters? Anywhere Anymore?
Post by: BrownBear on June 23, 2017, 07:23:31 pm
Small correction, from your link:

WRATTEN Filter:

A type of filter created by dissolving organic dyes in a gelatin material to achieve the desired spectral performance. The gelatin liquid and dye combination is then coated onto a supportive substrate until it has dried. After removal from the substrate, the film is coated with laquer for protection. Although the filters are coated, they should be handled only by the edges or in the corners to avoid damage.

The Wratten filters are made from organic dyes in gelatin, lacquer coated for protection.

They are produced/sold by Tiffen (http://www.tiffen.com/kpa.html).

Cheers,
Bart

And scroll down for the plastic versions he requested.
Title: Re: Plastic Wratten Filters? Anywhere Anymore?
Post by: spclark on June 27, 2017, 11:42:38 am
out of curiosity and if it is not a big secret - why those are not suitable exactly ?

No secret. And yes, resin I guess is more appropriate a term vs. plastic.

I want to fabricate small (~ 12-14mm dia.) curcular filters for use behind sighting aperture of a target rifle's rear sight. Glass I can't cut, gelatin filters I think would be too fragile as these things are handled frequently when being changed out of flexible plastic holders that hold them in place.

Lighting conditions & atmospheric effects when shooting long-range target matches (600-1,000 yards, NOT with telescopic sights either, two apertures for targeting) make achieving optimum image contrast a valuable tool for high scores.
Title: Re: Plastic Wratten Filters? Anywhere Anymore?
Post by: scyth on June 27, 2017, 12:00:49 pm
Glass I can't cut

if I am not mistaken there are services which will cut the glass for you on demand, even by filter glass manufacturer

http://legacy.rosco.com/filters/permacolor.cfm

"Permacolor filters are manufactured in five standard sizes on durable borafloat glass 1.75mm (.069") thick or can be custom cut in any size up to 13.5" in diameter."

so why bother with non glass ?
Title: Re: Plastic Wratten Filters? Anywhere Anymore?
Post by: scyth on June 27, 2017, 12:02:10 pm
when shooting

Dems or GOPs ?
Title: Re: Plastic Wratten Filters? Anywhere Anymore?
Post by: spclark on June 27, 2017, 01:08:41 pm
Scyth (interesting forum 'handle' that), thanks for the Rosco link. Never knew that stuff existed though I used to use Rosco gels for theatrical lighting as well as animation stand special effects.

Not sure about dichroics for lighting being optically clear enough for my application but that shouod be easy enough to answer. Next question would be cost for custom discs, and if they can make 'em that small.

As for shooting, I count myself among what Constitutionalists there yet remain out there.

What I shoot at is strictly paper targets for sport.
Title: Re: Plastic Wratten Filters? Anywhere Anymore?
Post by: scyth on June 27, 2017, 02:02:10 pm
Next question would be cost for custom discs, and if they can make 'em that small.
what I think is that in USA, with such huge industry catering to shooters, etc, a lot of outlets shall be able to cut you a disk for scope from a piece of glass you provide ... or even make an accessory with that glass that you can screw on scope
Title: Re: Plastic Wratten Filters? Anywhere Anymore?
Post by: spclark on June 27, 2017, 02:57:49 pm
Nope, no 'scope. The discipline I participate in uses what are referred to as Match sights (sometimes called iron sights). There's an aperture at the muzzle, another near the breech. Entirely adequate when properly aligned on the 'aiming black' disc at the center of a paper target down range for scoring center shots... as long as one can see clearly enough to distinguish the aiming black against the off-white target surrounding it.

That's where the filters come in handy.

There are plastic (resin?) filters for this application available from a European manufacturer but the hues & densities are very limited. A retired ophthalmologist (also a proficient marksman) makes custom filters; he orders dyed plastic from an optics lab he has a relationship with, then shapes them by hand. Again the color range is somewhat limited.

Besides I'd rather not bother him with the labor required to make up the 'in-betweens' I want to experiment with.
Title: Re: Plastic Wratten Filters? Anywhere Anymore?
Post by: scyth on June 27, 2017, 04:12:09 pm
Nope, no 'scope. The discipline I participate in uses what are referred to as Match sights (sometimes called iron sights). There's an aperture at the muzzle, another near the breech. Entirely adequate when properly aligned on the 'aiming black' disc at the center of a paper target down range for scoring center shots... as long as one can see clearly enough to distinguish the aiming black against the off-white target surrounding it.

That's where the filters come in handy.

There are plastic (resin?) filters for this application available from a European manufacturer but the hues & densities are very limited. A retired ophthalmologist (also a proficient marksman) makes custom filters; he orders dyed plastic from an optics lab he has a relationship with, then shapes them by hand. Again the color range is somewhat limited.

Besides I'd rather not bother him with the labor required to make up the 'in-betweens' I want to experiment with.

I think people do this = http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2010/10/glare-cutting-donut-filters-for-front-globe-sights/
Title: Re: Plastic Wratten Filters? Anywhere Anymore?
Post by: NancyP on June 28, 2017, 07:52:21 pm
Edmund Scientific and other optical components suppliers for pre-made glass filters in small sizes. Scientific, industrial, amateur astronomer DIY types - Edmund has a ton of stuff.
Rosco theatrical gels. Need a tiny piece, you might just be able to use the $4.00 swatch book to experiment and to make one of your final filter.
Anything used for photography: 2filter.com  - this New England mail order outfit  carries lots of inventory for stills and video use, including oddball sizes and types. Owner will talk your ear off.

About guns, I know little, having shot a .22 rifle as a kid at camp. The disadvantage of hunting to me at least is that if you are successful, then there's 100+ pounds of deer to drag back. I thank the diligent hunters out there keeping more white-tails off the local highways. There sure seems to be a lot of sights and other accessories at the local Cabela's/Bass Pro/Gander Mtn (latter two went down the drain or were absorbed by Cabela's, or vice versa, I think). Maybe what you want is just sitting there at MegaMall Outdoorsy store of your choice.