Link between brand and gel life?

[emoreth]

I have a set of backlights (mostly ancient pars but some S4 Parnels) that are seriously not fun to change gels on, and I'm trying to figure out what kind of gels will last longest in them. Is there a brand or type that's known for longer than average life? Also, I've heard about a couple gadgets that are supposed to extend gel life (Gam HeatShield used with a spacer and the Apollo Gel Miser, specifically). How well do those work?

 

[derekleffew]

See color extender and http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/question-day/26489-whats-secret-behind-lee-ht-filters.html . In my experience, all four major brands (Roscolux, LEE, GAM, and Apollo, [excluding the Lee HT line for the moment from the discussion]) have their problem colors, as well as successes. Do you have a specific color in mind; perhaps we can offer suggestions? A very similar color in another brand may last twice as long; or only half as long. The evidence is usually purely anecdotal.

Heat shield (generic term, every mfg. has at least one version) always extends color life, provided it is used correctly--with an air gap (1/2" to 1") between shield and color. http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/lighting-electrics/5432-super-heat-shield-help.html However, all heat shields also decrease intensities, to varying degrees. http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/lighting-electrics/6696-transmission-values-heat-shield.html .

I have no experience with Apollo's Gel Miser. I suspect I'd go with a glass, dichroic, or FadeNot® filter before investing in those. http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/lighting-electrics/6637-burning-gel.html , http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/lighting-electrics/6451-melting-gel-one-performance.html . Sorry, kelite.

 

[JD]

Have to agree with Derek, if you can get a color match you want, dichroic glass filters are the way to go. The "color" does not burn out of them because there is really no color there to begin with.

Expensive, but if it is that big a hassle to re-gel them, then this is a good option.

 

[emoreth]

In my experience, all four major brands (Roscolux, LEE, GAM, and Apollo, [excluding the Lee HT line for the moment from the discussion]) have their problem colors, as well as successes. Do you have a specific color in mind; perhaps we can offer suggestions? A very similar color in another brand may last twice as long; or only half as long. The evidence is usually purely anecdotal.

I suspect I'd go with a glass, dichroic, or FadeNot® filter before investing in those.

For the Parnels, we just need 1/2 CTB. For the pars, I'm liking Apollo 4350 and 8900 best at the moment, with Gam 835 and 140 as my second choices. Is there anything close to those in Fade-Not?

I know AP4350 comes in dichroic, but I'm not even sure if our pars could take a dichroic filter because of the rough treatment necessary to get a standard gel frame in there. (If we do decide to go dichroic, it'll be after we've found our ideal color anyway, which means I might be able to talk my boss into it around Easter.)

 

[derekleffew]

...Apollo 4350 and 8900 ... Gam 835 and 140 ... Is there anything close to those in Fade-Not?

There's no stock list or selection. Special FX® can provide a match to any manufacturer's color you specify, in any of their various mediums. (All pretty colors, BTW. Good combo for a 2-color bklt.)

 

[AdamHVLS]

Special FX does some fantastic work and they are super easy for your vendor to work with. I have done a few projects with them and they have all turned out great.

 

[BanditRO]

I have a set of backlights (mostly ancient pars but some S4 Parnels) that are seriously not fun to change gels on, and I'm trying to figure out what kind of gels will last longest in them. Is there a brand or type that's known for longer than average life? Also, I've heard about a couple gadgets that are supposed to extend gel life (Gam HeatShield used with a spacer and the Apollo Gel Miser, specifically). How well do those work?

If it is in the budget, you may also consider FJ Gray. They don't do dichroics, rather they do stained glass. While one may never out live a dichroic filter, the stained glass can be more robust. We have sold plenty of their product to different venues over the years.

 

[emoreth]

Just talked to Special FX, and it sounds like Fade-Not is gonna be exactly what we need. Thanks, everybody!