Diffusing incan lights - need a solution

[KevinL]

Time for me to pop up in the incandescent forum yet again :wave:

I am helping out with some video related stuff, and I thought I would put my lighting knowledge to work for me. As you know, unlike my regular still photography, we need 'hot' (constant-on) lights.

Here's an interesting discovery I made that the incan folks will like. It seems video cameras offer better color under tungsten lights. LED looks blueish and a little too lifeless, even after you tweak your white balance. Incan still looks a bit better, AND less tweaking is needed. Looks like a win-win situation.

The problem I have with my high power incans is now the opposite - instead of focusing them I need a solution to diffuse them that won't melt when doing full pack runs. What would you recommend for:

1. Maglites (either ROPs, Mag2HIDs, MiniHIDs. Same solution will apply for all. BTW the HID gets pretty danged hot.)
2. 1.62" Surefire M3
3. Standard sized C-series, P-series, G-series Surefires using P91 lamp

My frosted plastic sheeting trick doesn't work so well with hotwires. I'll save that one for the LEDs.

I feel stingy as well, so cheap would be a good thing. yes I do know one can buy all kinds of SF beamshapers, it's just a matter of cost.

 

[lctorana]

Dumb question - I take it you are away from mains power and can't use fixed lighting in conventional luminaries?

Actually, asking that question just gave me an answer.

How about shining a torch through an opaque white glass diffuser bowl from a lighting shop?

 

[gallagho]

Might be worth a try with theatrical lighting gels. Perhaps try local amateur theatre group or supplier of theatrical 'gels'. These things get put in front of 1kW lanterns and are pretty hardy.

A few gel manufactures will send you a free swatch book if you express an interest, just the right size for us

 

[Icebreak]

I'm very tempted to get a couple of Download's 55mm bezels to take camera filters.

Also, I've thought that chemically etching the lens/window might work. Possibly frosting a lens/window with sandpaper might be a solution.

I think lctorana's and galagho's solutions are very good ideas. I would like to try both methods.

 

[Sgt. LED]

AW ya beat me to it!

Sandpaper the lens you already have. fast, cheap, and you know it fits. Just start at the finest grit you can source and move up till you have the diffusion level you need.