colored lens help

[Axkiker]

Hey all I am in the process of working on underwater LED lights in several colors. Well my first thoughts were to use different color lights for each device. However after giving it a little thought I am now contemplating using a colored lens to gain the color output that I desire.

what do you all think the pros and cons of this would be. I see one major plus being that I could use super bright white leds insted of the weaker color options. (especially blue) I could make up multiple white fixtures then just swap out lenses.

what are your thoughts and does anyone have an idea where to get such a lens.

thanks

 

[Sgt. LED]

Gamchroics at GAMONLINE.com

Dichroic glass color filters might work for you.

 

[Axkiker]

Gamchroics at GAMONLINE.com

Dichroic glass color filters might work for you.

Well glass would not be ideal just because I plan on cutting it myself however plastic would be fine.

I have yet to find a cost efficient source though.

 

[Eminent]

I dont know if you found a solution or not. But I get my Red lens plastic sheets from here. http://www.delviesplastics.com Hope this helps.

 

[Eminent]

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[brickbat]

... I see one major plus being that I could use super bright white leds insted of the weaker color options. (especially blue) ...

This doesn't make sense to me. There are 'super bright' blue LEDs that put out more blue light than white LEDs do. (In fact most 'white' LEDs are really blue LEDs with phosphors added to steal some of the blue light and turn it into other colors, giving a mix that approximates white.

Also remember that a colored glass filter just absorbs all but the desired color, so a lot of light is wasted.

If you want blue, green, red and amber, the best bet would be colored LEDs...

 

[Axkiker]

This doesn't make sense to me. There are 'super bright' blue LEDs that put out more blue light than white LEDs do. (In fact most 'white' LEDs are really blue LEDs with phosphors added to steal some of the blue light and turn it into other colors, giving a mix that approximates white.

Also remember that a colored glass filter just absorbs all but the desired color, so a lot of light is wasted.

If you want blue, green, red and amber, the best bet would be colored LEDs...

Well I by no means am an expert at this led stuff. After reading through this site I have learned that I really dont know much about the technology at all.

My delima comes when looking at the amount of light produced by the blue leds. From my understanding the amount of light produced is rated in lumens. Well from what I have seen you cant get blue leds to produce anywhere near the amount of light that say a white led will. So that leaves me with a couple options. Produce fixtures which dont put out as much light or use all white leds and try using a colored filter.

if you are aware of some superbright blue leds that im not aware of please fill me in. Because I sure have not been able to find them... I think I have decided upon the cree emitter due to its small size and that it will put out roughly 50 lms at 700 ma. A white cree led will produce well over 100 lmns at 700ma

 

[bretti_kivi]

... and is that because there is "less light" or because the scale is skewed? Why not pick up some 1W lumis and test?

edit: you mean like these? http://www.cree.com/products/xlamp7090_xre.asp

Bret

 

[Axkiker]

... and is that because there is "less light" or because the scale is skewed? Why not pick up some 1W lumis and test?

edit: you mean like these? http://www.cree.com/products/xlamp7090_xre.asp

Bret

Yeah those are the cree;s that I plan on using. They rate the min lumens at 350ma at 30lumens . So im guessing at 750ma ill get roughly around 50. which is one of the brightest i have found.

My main reason for not testing the colored lens idea yet is because I havent found a company where I can buy a scratch resistant colored lens. The link someone posted above did provide a nice selection of colored acrylic however that stuff seems to scratch easily. im looking for a colored lens which would be scratch resistant. Acrylic may still be an option but ill need to see.

 

[broadgage]

I think that colored LEDs would be best, since as others point out, any colored filter wastes a large proportion of the white light.

If however you wish to use colored lenses, then what about a regular clear flashlight lens (glass or plastic) with a colored filter applied to the inside?
Colored filters for stage lighting use are available in a great range of colors, allowing you to choose the exact shade required.

 

[Axkiker]

I think that colored LEDs would be best, since as others point out, any colored filter wastes a large proportion of the white light.

If however you wish to use colored lenses, then what about a regular clear flashlight lens (glass or plastic) with a colored filter applied to the inside?
Colored filters for stage lighting use are available in a great range of colors, allowing you to choose the exact shade required.

I agree......... do you know where to get the stage filter material. I havent been able to find it.... It may be worth an experiment.

 

[download]

Camera 55mm size Color filter is what you need, the inside glass is 52mm fits perfectly the Mag C/D bezel.

Or try my 55mm Lens Stainless Steel C-D bezel, change any color/filter at any time. :green:

 

[broadgage]

For small qauntities of theatre lighting filter its probably best to ask a local theatre, or perhaps a theatre lighting hire firm.
A number of suppliers sell it but probably only in much larger amounts than you need.
What you need is often called "gell" because it was once made from gelatine!

 

[bretti_kivi]

lee lighting are the guys (because I do some photography bits) - there's a guy in London - flashgels.co.uk - who will do cut to size for a reasonable fee IIRC.

Bret

 

[Eminent]

The stage lighting filters are not a good choice.
1. The plastic ones fade very fast.
2. the glass is far to fragile for your use.
That is why I suggested the site above. You can get 1/16" 12"x12" for under 5 dollars. And drill out as many as you need. The transparent cast acrylic is very durable, will not fade and scratches can be polished out.

 

[Axkiker]

thanks all for the help. I was wondering why they called that stuff gel.

I may get some of the cast colored acrylic and experiment.

thanks

 

[Bogie]

I see a lot of colored LED's daily all the new apparatus come with them and the city is retrofitting the older ones in the fleet. Many are Lux 1's with optics on them. A few are still clusters of 5mm's but those are fading out for the better preforming units.