I'm trying to match a Kodak wratten 80a filter with printing filters. A cyan .40 and a Magenta .40 together appear close but does anyone have the real answer?

-- Harv Jenkins (hjenkins@prcn.org), January 22, 2001

Answers

Out of curiosity, why?

Kodak filter databook will help you get close, but for the most part you can't exactly match one filter's spectral response with another. Some filters have unusual response curves, particularly in the invisible regions (UV and IR).

There might be an easier way to get where you want if you can explain what you are trying to accomplish.

-- Charlie Strack (charlie_strack@sti.com), January 23, 2001.

I want to use the slide copying attachment for my camera to produce color internegatives and use a small tungsten floodlight for the light source. I'm going to use standard daylight film so the filter is needed to balance the light. I don't have an 80a for my camera. Is there a color negative film that is balanced for tungsten light?

-- Harv Jenkins (hjenkins@prcn.org), January 24, 2001.

Harv, the only color negative films I was able to find that were tungsten balanced were Kodak Porta 100T and Fujicolor NPL 160 Pro.

Hope this helps!

-- Johnny Motown (johnny.motown@att.net), January 24, 2001.

Alternative approaches:

1. Do your shooting outdoors. Get a neutral white card to use as a background so you don't get a color cast. (Cheap.)

2. Use a daylight balanced photoflood light. (More expensive, but maybe less than a filter.)

3. Use your flash directed at a white card indoors for the background. You might have to test to get the exposure right if your camera can't meter flash through the lens.

-- Charlie Strack (charlie_strack@sti.com), January 25, 2001.