Opal vs. Spun?

HybridCreations

HybridCreations

Well-known member
Hello,
Another friendly question. When would you use opal diffusion and when you would go with spun instead? I've used both, but I have no idea when to use each of them. Thanks.
-Ryan
 
The Diffusion that I work with goes by how much it scatters the light. Opal is the weakest of the diffusions, then 251, 250, 216. When you refer to spun do you mean cloth like ploy silk, LT grid etc.?
 
Thanks Chayse....maybe that's all it is? A different degree of diffusion? The spun I'm referring to is "Spun glass". I was told that's what it was anyway. The diffusion that looks like loosely woven dryer sheets.... Anymore ideas?
 
Dryer sheets are the best way to describe spun or tough spun. the effect is very subtle. You might have to double or triple it up.

If you ask would I use opal or spun, the answer would be "yes". It depends on the intended aesthetic.

A better answer might be that I use opal quite a lot. Put that in front of a fresnell and use that to light a face... nice. I do keep both in my kit though.

-j
 
Thanks J, but what's the difference? When would I use each? I'm trying to figure out what the difference is in the aesthetic quality an opal diffusion gives versus a spun diffusion.... Does the opal give a shimmer quality to the light? (I'm basing that on the look of the gel itself.) I guess I could just wait til I get the gels I ordered and check it out for myself. Just trying to see what you guys use each for. Thanks.
 
I think it's mainly the level of diffusion more than anything. I like Opal a lot. I find 216 too heavy in most cases. Occasionally 250 (1/2 diffusion) works well also. Again it depends on your situation...there isn't really a formula to when one would use each...depends on your personal taste, the situation at hand and what you're trying to achieve.
 
Spun is heavier, closer to 216 I think, only with slightly different qualities. Opal is a lighter diffusion, and also my favorite, because if you need more diffusion, you can always double it up, where you can't make 216 or spun lighter.
 
Spun is heavier, closer to 216 I think, only with slightly different qualities. Opal is a lighter diffusion, and also my favorite, because if you need more diffusion, you can always double it up, where you can't make 216 or spun lighter. One good quality of spun though, is that it doesn't make noise if it's windy, unlike opal, 216 or the rest.
 
I've heard people talk about old makes of Spun being actualy spun glass and extremely heat resistent (to the point of being able to be put right on/against a practical, etc). Is the stuff that Lee and Rosco makes these days the same?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top