FAQ

LEE Filters Swatch Book can be purchased here.

Alternatively, please contact your LEE Filters dealer to request a Swatch Book (sample gel book). Please be sure to include your full postal address with your request.

Global Dealer Locator- Find Your Nearest LEE Filters Dealer.

We create our most popular colors and diffusions in 3 roll sizes; compact (2ft), standard (4ft) and wide (5ft). The following products are available in a wide roll. 

6.10m x 1.52m (20' x 60")

201       Full CT Blue
204       Full CT Orange
205       Half CT Orange
206       Quarter CT Orange
207       Full CTO + .3 ND
208       Full CTO + .6 ND
223       Eighth CTO
400       LEELux
402       Soft Frost
404       Half Soft Frost
414       Highlight
429       Quiet Frost
439       Heavy Quiet Frost
414P     Perforated Highlight
439P     Perforated Heavy Quiet Frost
209       0.3 ND
210       0.6 ND
211       0.9 ND
298       0.15 ND
299       1.2 ND
275       Black Scrim

7.62m x 1.52m (25' x 60")

216        White Diffusion
250        Half White Diffusion
251        Quarter White Diffusion
252        Eighth White Diffusion
416        Three Quarter White Diffusion
450        Three Eighth White Diffusion
452        Sixteenth White Diffusion

No, our gels are not self-adhesive as standard. We manufacture a gel fixing spray for fixing gel to windows.

This largely depends on the application and final effect wanted, but an easy way to attach filters to glass, is to use double sided sticky tape.

It is also possible to temporarily fix our standard product using LEE Gel Fixing Spray, available from LEE Direct

We do not recommend using glue. We have tried many types and have not found one that's compatible. Many glues' solvents can attack the coating on Lighting Filters, which damages them. 

If you need to try a glue we would suggest you use a water based one. It does depend on how permanent you want the join to be. Please try a small area first to test it. Always follow the glue manufacturer's instructions.

It depends on the ambient conditions such as the power of a lamp, the distance the filter is from the lamp, ambient light and how much UV there is etc. LEE Filters are unable to provide any specific data on a filter’s longevity.

Most Polyester colored effect filters are 0.08mm thick. Diffusion filters vary in thickness.

This depends on how the filter is mounted, the distance away from the lamp, the air flow around the lamp and the angle of the lamp. It is a complex calculation and we are unable to give any specific advice about filter withstanding a particular power of lamp.

We are pleased to direct you to our Color Temperature Calculator. This tool will tell you exactly the technical filter (or combination of filters) you’ll need to achieve the lighting you desire and take the guesswork out of choosing the right filters. 

If you need any further information, please do contact us. 

Find out more at LEE Filters Calculator | Color Temperature Calculator

Our standard color effect filters are made from a thin surface coated PET (Polyester Film). This thermo plastic is easily reshaped and is 100% recyclable. It is a strong, durable material that's also lightweight, and is resistant to moisture and extreme temperatures. 

There is no specific set of filters in primary colors, however some tests have shown that the color filters listed below match primary colors.

119 Dark Blue   
124 Dark Green
164 Flame Red 

It gives a value of the amount of visible light the filter transmits. The higher the Y value the lighter the filter and vice-versa.

To convert a 4200k lamp to 6000K you need to do the following calculation:

Divide initial source into 1,000,000 = 1,000,000 / 4200 = 238 mireds, then divide the desired colour temperature into 1,000,000 = 1,000,000 / 6000 = 167 mireds. 

Subtract sum one from sum two 167 – 238 = -71 mired shift (the minus sign is important!). Select the filter with the nearest mired shift to -71, in this case it is 202 Half CT Blue (-78 mired shift). 

For mired shift values see our color temperature calculator.

If you are based in the UK, USA or Canada then you can purchase your LEE Filters directly from us:
LEE Direct UK
LEE Direct USA
LEE Direct Canada

Alternatively, you can find your nearest dealer, by searching on our map: LEE Lighting Filter Dealer Map.

Many of our filters contain polyester which is flame retardant to BS3944. However, not all LEE Lighting Filters are flame retardant. If they are, it will be stated on the individual product page and relevant product information. 

Source C is a Standard theorectical Illuminant, used to specify colour. Full information here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_illuminant.

We test all of our flame retardant lighting filters to the British Standard B.S.3944, which was specifically developed for testing colour and diffusion filter material used in theatre, television and entertainment applications. 

As a UK-based business, we do not test our products to the German B1 flammability standard (designed for construction materials), so we cannot supply any information related to the performance of our products when tested to this standard. 

To achieve white light, using three primary colors on three separate light sources (additive color mixing) we recommend:

124 Dark Green
164 Flame Red
119 Dark Blue

To achieve white light (or neutrality) using 3 secondary colors on a single source (subtractive color mixing) we recommend:

101 Yellow
115 Peacock Blue
128 Bright Pink

Results will vary depending on conditions and the type of light source, however the filters listed above will act as a good starting point and give acceptable results in most circumstances.

Find the LEE Filter equivalent of another manufacturer’s color effect filters using the Gel Comparator Tool. You can also add information on collected colors to a downloadable PDF.

As most diffusions are white (with the exception of color frosts and cosmetic diffusions), you can see the effect by the shape of the beam, indicating how it will appear on a flat surface. Use the Diffusion Index Tool, to compare diffusion effects of products in the LEE Filters range. 

Use the Color Comparison Tool to compare product specifications and light transmission of different lighting filters. 

Use the Diffusion Comparator to see diffusion filter comparisons side-by-side. 

Yes, we stock a wide range lighting packs. Includes packs for LED lighting, to convert Tungsten light, studio, diffusion and location packs and kits containing our most commonly used colour gels. See the lighting filter pack page for a full listing.

Use the Color Temperature Calculator to find exactly the technical filter (or combination of filters) you’ll need to achieve the right lighting. Take the guesswork out of getting the perfect shot, saving time in production and post production.

Yes, lighting gels are designed to be heat-resistant and suitable for use with high-wattage lights. However, even with heat-resistant gels, it's crucial to ensure proper ventilation around your light fixture. This helps prevent excessive heat buildup, which can still degrade the gel over time. Always check specifications for both the gel and your light fixture for recommended usage to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

We supply two swatch books to help you explore the full LEE Filters range.

1. LEE Filters Swatch Book – Designers Edition (Pouched, with Numeric Lookup)
This edition contains a sample of every colour in our lighting gel collection. Organised by colour and with a numeric look-up system, it makes it easy to test how different hues and diffusion levels influence your setup before investing in larger rolls - Buy now. 

2. LEE Filters Zircon Edition Swatch Book
Featuring the complete Zircon gel range, this pocket-sized reference is designed specifically for fine-tuning LEDs. It’s an essential tool for lighting designers, studio photographers, and gaffers who want precision and creative flexibility - Buy now. 

Both swatch books are a practical way to experiment, compare effects, and achieve the exact look you need.

As a general rule, Grad Filters are used to balance the exposure across the image, therefore the clear portion remains correctly exposed, and the coloured area affects the brighter portion of the image – the exposure should be set before the filter is fitted, and should remain unchanged when the filter is in place.

There is no difference in the effect on the final image. The difference is in the technical way that the filter manages the light at wavelength level.

Linear polarisers provide standard polarised light with all lightwaves vibrating in the same plane, whereas circular polarisers will polarise and then spin the lightwaves.

The internal optics that control focussing or metering in some modern cameras cannot work with standard polarised light and therefore a circular polariser is required. The information on which type is needed can normally be found in the instruction book for your camera.

The 105mm polariser filter system allows ND grads and a polariser to be used together. The important thing is that the filters can move independently of each other, which is obviously vital for the filters to work correctly.

Please note that although this lens has a 105mm filter thread, the lens design does not allow an SW150 / 105mm adaptor ring to fit effectively.

Unfortunately, we do not currently have a solution for this particular lens

There is no hard and fast answer to this, lens specs and designs change all the time, as do the filter holder requirements.

However, as a rough guide, using:

A simple holder setup with 2 filter slots, and no lens shade a DSLR (small chip) will go down to 10mm.

A 35mm & Full chip DSLR will go down to 16mm.

A medium format 645 & 6×6 will go down to 35mm. A medium format 6×7 will go down to 45mm.

A larger format 5×4 camera will go down to 70 – 90mm.

Bayonet adaptor rings for such cameras as Hasselblad and Rollei fit into the inner bayonet lens fixing.