Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/06/29
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Rob, filter generally and filters for fluorescents are a headache for Leicas. If you absolutely must shoot transparency material under these appalling devices (as I often must) you should be prepared to spend lots of money, lots of time and lots of effort to get it right. Use colour negative if at all possible - especially recommended is Fuji Reala. The first thing you need to know is what kind of fluorescents you are shooting under - filtrations varies widely for the different types of lights. Secondly you need to match filtration to the film - different films react differently to fluorescents. Thirdly you need to experiment and test these combos - they are just a starting point (Kodak and Fuji publish data sheets). Fourthly I would strongly advise using a flash with complementary filtration (i.e. green with CTO or CTB gels depending on the lens's filter). This cleans up the foreground/main subject like no amount of filtration would ever do. Fifthly don't forget to use a slow shutter speed (longer than 1/60th) or you will get uneven exposure and misleading meter readings. Oh and bracket a lot! If this sounds complex it is because it is - there is no easy way to handle fluorescents. The B+W FLD filter is okay for the less green tubes, a 30cc Magenta is pretty similar. A 40cc Magenta has proved more useful to me. A Lee fluorescent gel kit will see you through most situations - but it is not much use with an M. With a reflex camera the gels with the new Gel Snap gadget are a godsend... Good luck, Adrian Adrian Bradshaw Editorial and Corporate Photography Shanghai, China