Lee Filters

[Jenny]

If I wanted to get an AS-colored LED saber, and put a Lee filter on it, do I need the "high temperature" filters, or does the heat sink cause enough cooling that the filter won't melt if it's outside the lens?

[Chainmale75]

I'm told the filters are used for those REALLY hot halogen stage lights, So I think the filters would be ok in the LEDs.

[benkenobi_uk]

I use Lee Filters all the time for stage/theatre lighting etc. We run things like 500W fresnel lanterns which do need the high temp filters because they run SERIOUSLY high temps! I'm taking 'weld your hand to it if you touched it!!!' I've not used filters on any sabers but there is no way you'd melt a regular (non-high temp) lee filter if you put it in an LED saber. It just wouldn't generate anywhere near that amount of heat. If it did you'd have major problems!

You might get a little colour fade on the filter if you use it for a long long time (like months), but it's so cheap to put a new one in since you'd only need a tiny swatch to cover the LED module.
I'm sure other people who have actually used filter in saber would be able to offer good advice but I hope that's helpful nonetheless. Post some filter pics when you try it out! Have fun.

[Master Artorius Vidnyl]

I use a Lee filter in my AS Initiate v1.  Got the swatch book using the coupon code SWATCH.  Makes it cost $6 with shipping.  You won't melt the filter, promise.  Like benkenobi_uk said they are designed for set lighting and the bulbs used there run way hotter than a single LED can get especially when properly mounted to a heatsink.

Lee filters in my personally experience are very safe and very easy to use.

Cheers.

[Jenny]

MAV, I don't suppose you have any idea how much their average filter cuts the perceived light?  One of my ex-girlfriends* has asked me to make her a saber for her birthday, and of course, she wants a pink blade.  Rather than figuring out how to tune the RGB to pink, I figured I'd get an Endor Star, rated at over 700 lumins, and put a pink filter on top... but I'm wondering how much dimmer than 700 lumins that will end up being.

*It's one of Michelle Paradise's Ten Rules... ex-girlfriends don't go away, they just become best friends.

[Master Nero Attoru]

MAV, I don't suppose you have any idea how much their average filter cuts the perceived light?  One of my ex-girlfriends* has asked me to make her a saber for her birthday, and of course, she wants a pink blade.  Rather than figuring out how to tune the RGB to pink, I figured I'd get an Endor Star, rated at over 700 lumins, and put a pink filter on top... but I'm wondering how much dimmer than 700 lumins that will end up being.

*It's one of Michelle Paradise's Ten Rules... ex-girlfriends don't go away, they just become best friends.

I'm not sure the numerical amount, but I know the Lee filters don't cut the brightness down by very much.  Some people double and triple layer them and still have a pretty bright blade.

Another option, just to consider, is to get some kind of LED module or something from Ultrasabers, and have them tune it to pink.  I've heard their Bane's Heart color is a nice magenta.

[Master Bluespike74]

Would anyone be interested in doing a tutorial on how to install these things on a saber.  Things I am wondering are can these be cut, are they already cut, how thick are they? 

[Master Nero Attoru]

Would anyone be interested in doing a tutorial on how to install these things on a saber.  Things I am wondering are can these be cut, are they already cut, how thick are they? 

They're not already cut, it's actually a sample book they send you (they're designed for much bigger lighting).  They're small rectangles that you can just cut into the appropriate size and shape to fit on top of the LED.  They're really quite thin too, like paper thin.

You just drop them on top of the LED and you're good to go!

[Master Bluespike74]

Thanks Nero.

[navajas]

By far the easiest way to swap filters is to turn your blade upside down, place the cut filter on the tube and then place the hilt on top of all that. If you try and drop the filter onto / into the hilt's LED you can occasionally get it stuck all cockeyed.

Below is a pinkish color. In all my sabers and all my colors it is second only to my favorite, LEE burnt yellow:



EDIT: Again, there is no problem at all with fade or heat in these things. I would never recommend stacking filters. The lumens lost is significant and there's so many filters in the LEE swatches (be sure to order the two they allow) you've got to be able to find one that fits the bill.

[Jenny]

Oh.  Huh.  I was planning on using cyanacrylate to secure the filter to the support posts of the lens on the LED, so it would stay stable.  She wants a pink sabre after all....

[navajas]

I guess you could glue it, but I'd be worried about the glue f'ing up the filter, you know? And besides, there's no going back. You could give her the thing set up for pink, hand her the filters and let her know she can change the color if she wants, super easy. Hell, you can match your outfit quicker than you can do your hair this way, dig? I mean, I have a whole set of filters labeled for occasions. I have Tebow Orange, Sounders FC Teal, etc... Heading to San Fran in a few months (hopefully) and might light up Pride Pink while bar hopping with the cousin.

I just think it's not a great idea to limit your options. You can't go back. Well you probably could, but what a mess!

[Niassa]

I just ordered two of the swatch books - I'm looking forward to getting them. Of course, I don't have an AS saber yet, but that's ok, it's stocking for the future.

[Vex]

LEE filters Spring Green gives an awesome bright yellow/slight green light! Thats my favorite.

[Niassa]

Woo! My filter sets just arrived! $7.36 shipped for both the designer's and the numeric editions. Bitchin'!

I now have all the filters I'll ever need, lol.

Once I get an AS LED module, I'll be happy to start experimenting for anyone who needs any estimates of what something will look like. I'm also going to play with my other sabers - GB, BR, and SRD to see if I can make anything interesting appear.