Rosco VIEW Window Film FAQs
Rosco VIEW Camera Filter FAQs
General Rosco VIEW FAQs
Rosco VIEW Window Film FAQs
How do I remove the protective film?
The Rosco VIEW Window Film has a protective film on both sides. This MUST be removed in order for the system to work. To remove this film, carefully start to peel protective film off of one corner. Once the corner is peeled, even out the peel so that it spans the length of the filter. It is important to peel slowly so that the filter does not bend or crease. Discard the protective film.
How do I mount Rosco VIEW to a window?
There are several great ways to mount Rosco VIEW. Here are a few.
- Place a line of clear double stick tape along the top of the window and adhere Rosco VIEW to it. Let gravity do the rest of the work. To make sure there are no waves in the filter, it might be best to place two or three small pieces of double stick tape at the bottom corners and center of the window and attach the bottom of Rosco VIEW to those pieces to keep the filter taut.
NOTE: It is very difficult to remove any kind of tape from Rosco VIEW. When doing so, it is likely the filter will tear. To prevent this, one option is to place a line of gaffer's tape to Rosco VIEW window film where double stick tape is being applied.
- The user can sandwich Rosco VIEW between two pieces of acrylic, which are pre-cut to the size of the window. Rosco VIEW basically becomes a hard gel at this point and can be placed against the window and held to it by tape or a frame.
- For permanent installations, it is suggested attaching Rosco VIEW to the window as described in method one and then placing a piece of acrylic in front of it. This will not only protect the filter from scratches but also hold it flat against the window. The acrylic can be held in place by clear tape or a built frame.
- Placing Rosco VIEW in a frame will sometimes work but may cause waves in the window film if the frame is too flexible. If you are using a frame to mount Rosco VIEW, make sure that the frame is rigid enough to hold the film taut.
The most important part about mounting Rosco VIEW is to make it flat against the window.
Try not to:
- It is not suggested to use the squeegee method as it will leave a residue on the filter and will not work as well as it does with ordinary gel because Rosco VIEW is slightly heavier. Bubbles may also occur.
- Make sure there are no plastics between Rosco VIEW Window Film and the Rosco VIEW Camera Filter. Some plastics can create a rainbow, moray effect. Polyester is an example of a plastic that will cause this effect. Some polycarbonates will also cause this effect. Acrylics will NOT affect the Rosco VIEW system. This effect, known as birefringence, is caused by any plastic that has been oriented (stretched during the manufacturing process).
- Rosco VIEW is made from materials that are somewhat water absorbent. It is important that the material remains as dry as possible, especially around the edges where water can seep in-between the laminated plastics. Condensation can be a problem if Rosco VIEW is being installed directly against a window in a permanent location. A one-inch air gap is recommended for such situations.
Can I re-use and store Rosco VIEW Window Film?
Yes. If treated carefully, one is able to get several uses out of the Rosco VIEW Window Film. Rosco VIEW comes in a double walled shipping tube with a re-usable core. To store Rosco VIEW, roll the filter back onto the cardboard tube core that it came with. It is recommended that the filter be rolled onto the core while still attached to the window as to reduce scratches that might occur if the filter touches the ground. Place the core into the black shipping tube and seal the top.
What are the dimensions of the Rosco VIEW Window Film?
Rosco VIEW Window Film comes in a 56" wide by 9' long roll. Custom lengths over 9 feet long can be ordered.
How will camera movement affect the Rosco VIEW system?
Camera movements are possible with the Rosco VIEW system. Pans, tilts, dolly shots, and some SteadiCam shots are a possibility. However, the camera cannot rotate (roll) as the camera filter would be rotating at the same time, changing the intensity of the light as seen through the window. Handheld shots will be difficult to manage.
How will different types of plastics effect Rosco VIEW filter?
The use of tapes or polycarbonates, if applied to the camera side of the Rosco VIEW Window Film can cause adverse effects (color shifting and loss of performance). Clear tapes can generate color "rainbows" on the tape if it is between the camera lens and the Rosco VIEW. Clear tapes should therefore be applied to the window side of the Rosco VIEW Window Film. Opaque tape can be used around the edges without any adverse affects. Polycarbonate (Lexan) substrates will have an adverse affect when placed between the Rosco VIEW Window Film and the camera. Polyesters will also have an adverse affect when place between the Rosco VIEW Window Film and the camera. Therefore, regular gels such as color correction cannot be placed on the camera side of the Rosco VIEW Window Film. Acrylic will NOT have an adverse affect and may be used to "sandwich" the Rosco VIEW Window Film, including our RoscoLex 85 Acrylic Panels.
Can the Rosco VIEW system go to complete blackout (extinction)?
Yes. The Rosco VIEW system can go to complete blackout just by turning the camera filter. This is useful for day-for-night shots. It is important to do testing on this application, as larger windows might make it more difficult to get an even blackout throughout the entire window.
How do I color correct the light coming in the window?
Color correction gel can be placed behind the Rosco VIEW Window Film. However, depending on which direction your window is facing in relation to the sun, color waves might appear do the angle of the sunlight light and the polarization of the sky. Correction filters CANNOT be placed between the camera and the Rosco VIEW Window Film. Another option is to use RoscoLex Panels (hard gels) to sandwich the Rosco VIEW between the window and the hard gel. This will not only color correct but also hold the Rosco VIEW in place and flat.
Do all of the Rosco VIEW Window Film panels need to be the same orientation?
Yes. All Rosco VIEW Window Film panels need to be placed on the windows in the same direction (horizontal or vertical) or the panels will not match in the degree of cross polarization when the camera filter is rotated.
Can I use Rosco VIEW Window Film on a curved window?
No. Rosco VIEW Window Film needs to be placed on flat surface in order for the system to work.
What is the light loss of the Rosco VIEW Window Film?
The Rosco VIEW Window Film will cause a 1-stop transmission loss. In effect, it acts like an ND .3. The advantage is that the Window Film physically stays like an ND .3, but rotating the Rosco VIEW Camera Filter enables you to change the light intensity as seen through the window from an ND .3 to full blackout.
Can I get custom lengths of Rosco VIEW Window Film?
Yes. Rosco is able to cut any length of Rosco VIEW above nine feet long. There is currently no custom cutting charge.
How should I clean Rosco VIEW Window Film should it get dirty?
While the window film is attached to the window, wipe clean with a lint free cotton cloth. Repeat if necessary.
Does Rosco VIEW Window Film have the same physical qualities as regular gel?
Rosco VIEW Window Film is more fragile than typical color filters. It may tear or dent easily. Handle Rosco VIEW with care, avoiding scratches or other damage. It is also about two times thicker that typical gel.
How do I seam Rosco VIEW rolls together?
To seam two pieces of Rosco VIEW Window Film together overlap the filter about an eighth of an inch. This will prevent light leak and as well as ensure a seamless effect. Tape at the top and bottom of the Rosco VIEW Window Film should be enough to hold it in place. If necessary, you can add clear double stick tape behind the window film where needed. It is not recommended to butt two pieces of Rosco VIEW together as a thin line of light leak will occur.
Rosco VIEW Camera Filter FAQs
What size camera filters does Rosco offer?
Rosco offers four standard sizes in camera filters: 4"x4", 4"x5.65", 138mm Drop-In, and 6.6"x6.6". We do have the ability to make custom size filters.
Is the Rosco VIEW Camera Filter a linear or circular polarizer?
The Rosco VIEW Camera Filter is a linear polarizer.
Will other brand polarizer camera filters work with Rosco VIEW?
No, Rosco VIEW is a system consisting of the Rosco VIEW Window Film and the Rosco VIEW Camera Filter. While it is true that other linear filters will provide similar effects, they will also cause unpredictable and often adverse results. For example, color shifting and lack of complete cross polarization will occur. It is strongly recommended that the Rosco VIEW Camera Filter be used in conjunction with the Rosco VIEW Window Film.
How will the camera filter affect the lighting in my shot?
The Rosco VIEW Camera Filter acts like any other polarizer filter acts in that you see reduction in reflections and glare. As you turn the filter, kicks of light off a shiny surface or a person's skin will diminish. Keep this in mind as you plan your shot and lighting.
Will the camera filter affect LCD and plasma screens?
Yes. All LCD and plasma screens have a polarizer in them to reduce glare. If an LCD or plasma screen is on and in your shot, the screen will go to black depending on the angle the camera filter is rotated to.
Is there any color shifting when using the Rosco VIEW system?
No. If you use the Rosco VIEW Window Film in conjunction with the Rosco VIEW Camera Filter, no color shift will occur. The Rosco VIEW System is completely neutral in color.
What is the light loss of the camera filter?
The Rosco VIEW Camera Filter is a one-stop polarizer filter. To compensate for the filter, open your lens one stop.
Can Rosco make custom size camera filters?
Yes. Rosco can make custom square, rectangle and round Rosco VIEW Camera Filters. The largest size we are able to manufacture is a 6.6"x6.6" Lead-time is roughly four to five weeks.
Will the camera filter affect my video assist?
It is possible that the Rosco VIEW Camera Filter will affect your video assist. Some video assist incorporates the use of a linear polarizer which cross polarize when using any other linear polarizer (not just Rosco VIEW) in front of the lens. This could diminish the video tap quality.
As I rotate the camera filter, how do I know when I've reached the correct exposure?
Most users determine the correct exposure of the light through the window by eye. Simply look through the camera viewfinder and rotate the Rosco VIEW Camera Filter until the assumed proper exposure is reached. A more technical approach would be to stand facing the window with the Rosco VIEW Window Film on it and then hold the Rosco VIEW Camera Filter in your hand and rotate it while looking through a reflective light meter. Once the desired light level is reached, note the orientation of the Rosco VIEW Camera Filter and then place it in the matte box in the same position.
General Rosco VIEW FAQs
What are the cost and time savings when using Rosco VIEW?
The greatest aspect of Rosco VIEW is the time and money you save while using it. Here are just some of those savings:
No Changing Out Filters
With Rosco VIEW, there is no longer a need to continually change out gel on your windows. If the sun should go behind a cloud, the time of day changes or the light changes outside for any other reason, Rosco VIEW allows you to adjust the intensity of the light as seen through the windows in a matter of seconds. With a turn of the Rosco VIEW Camera Filter, you have instant 100% control of window exposure with one filter. The time lost during these changing of gels cut down on shoot time and slows the creative flow of the film.
No Changes to the Lighting Setup
Constantly changing gels on the windows also means changing your lighting. For example, when changing from an ND .3 to an ND .9 on the windows, you interior lights will need to be brought down in intensity and your exterior lights will need to be increased in intensity. In addition to changing out your gels, this timely process can seriously slow down production.
Time is Money
It is estimated that a Hollywood feature costs roughly $20,000 per hour. That equates to $5,000 per fifteen minutes. A typical gel and lighting change can take up to 45 minutes and these often happen about 3 times per day or more. At these conservative estimates, the production loses $45,000 per day just from time lost because the light changed outside.
Fewer Lights, Less Power
Rosco VIEW Window Film has the equivalent light loss of an ND .3 (1 stop). Now that you do not have to contend with a range of filters (ND .3 to ND 1.2), there is no need for large lights, which consume a great deal of power. For example, typically there might be a need for a 12K light source outside the windows in order to punch enough light through the ND .9 or ND 1.2 that you put on your windows. With Rosco VIEW, an 8K will do the trick thereby saving money on your lighting package rental and your power consumption.
Hard Gels vs. Rosco VIEW
Rosco VIEW enables you to have a full range of control of the intensity of light. In effect, it is a variable ND filter. To get this same range of control with hard gels, one would need to purchase a 5'x8' panel in ND .3, ND .6 and ND .9 which would cost $975 list price making Rosco VIEW more cost effective.
How does Rosco VIEW compare to regular gel?
Rosco VIEW is twice as thick as regular gel however it is more fragile. Because of the way it is manufactured, Rosco VIEW can easily tear and needs to be handled with care.
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