Best roll of CTS or CTO to get?

Shawn Philip Nelson

Shawn Philip Nelson

Veteran
So I want to splurge on a roll of either CTS or CTO. The purposes would be for window use for interior shots, to be knocking down and correcting outdoor light. Also, to put up on a 48x48 gel frame for shining 2ks through for a really warm glow.

So, I'm thinking CTS. But should I get full strength, 3/4 or 1/2? I'm not really wanting to double up on gels, so I'm leaning towards a 3/4 or full.

Thoughts from anyone who has used this stuff?
 
Shawn,

I went with a roll of full CTO +.6nd for the same shooting conditions you want to do. .6nd was too much and I wouldn't go with more then .3 but I also shoot on a DVX. Since RED puts the DVX in the ground with regard to DR you could probably get away with just 3/4 or Full CTO. I got mine from Film Tools for pretty cheap.

Never used CTS though.
 
It depends what you're aiming for. CSI:Miami...western...comedy...live TV?

Audiences have realized that outside is bluer than inside. To me, a full correction looks stagey, but I'd still do it for some interview setups or for live TV. I'd also use it on windows if I wanted an indoor scene to look like it was lit only by daylight and I had 3200k fixtures.
I have seen racing shows where they put the talent in a studio box in front of the track, but light and balance to 3200k, and it looks miserable. Full CTO plus .3ND would make a lot of sense for that setup.
If you're using tungsten practicals and mixing with daylight, I'd use 1/2 CTO.
The bonus with 1/2 CTO is that you can double it and get full correction.
Personally, I'm not a fan of CTS on caucasian skin.
 
I'd go half, if I were you. Best of all worlds. I mostly use 1/4 but you seem to want more orange in general.

Good Luck - Wilson
 
I agree that 1/2 is probably your best bet. CTS is very nice, to me it is a bit more yellow/amber than CTO. Although, if you're planning on using it for tungsten lights, you might consider getting 1/4, so you can double (or triple) up. This is so you have the option of not going TOO warm with your tungsten. You can always go warmer by doubling, but you can't reverse the power of a gel. Also, a tip for gelling windows- use a water and soap, or sprite mixture to stick the gel to the window via capillary action, and then use a squeegee to push out the air bubbles. You won't be able to salvage the gel easy, but it works well, especially if the window will be in frame...
 
Patrick, are you saying "sprite" like "Sprite (TM)"? Does it work well? I've always been a soap and water guy.
 
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