Monday317
Member
In the market for a Series 6 #21 orange filter; not too many around. I am seeing a fair number 85s A, B, C; does anyone know (not guess, please :bang: ) if one of these can be substituted for the same B + W contrast effect?
Many thanks all.
Many thanks all.
Dwig
Well-known
In the market for a Series 6 #21 orange filter; not too many around. I am seeing a fair number 85s A, B, C; does anyone know (not guess, please :bang: ) if one of these can be substituted for the same B + W contrast effect?
Many thanks all.
The 85 series, like the 80 82 and 81 series, are light balancing filters that transmit all colors. They merely alter the balance of the blue and red end of the spectrum. They will do almost nothing on B&W film.
The B&W contrast filters are band pass filters that totally block a portion of the spectrum while transmitting the rest of the spectrum reasonably efficiently.
The #21 was not a popular filter for normal photographic use "back in the day" when Series filters were common. The closest you are likely to find will be a #9 (aka K3) or #15 (aka "G"), both giving a slightly weaker effect, or a #25 (aka "A" or incorrectly a 25A) which would give a stronger effect. The #23A "light red" would be a good substitute, but is likely just as rare in series sizes.
Wikipedia has a good chart. Only those filters with a old style letter designation in addition to the modern number designation are likely finds in the old Series VI size.
Monday317
Member
Thank you very much, Dwig; I suspected as much. The #21s are around, but with so many 85s, I was hoping to get close with one of that group.
That also answers a minor question regarding a filter to give me an ortho response on pan film--just for kicks. I was mulling a stronger cyan cc filter, but will at one point, look to a #44 (minus red) instead.