Polarisers for lights

[DaveB]

Does anyone have suggestions for economical sources of effective polarisers for flashes?
I need to put polarising filters in front of some flashes so I can (with another polariser on the lens) eliminate glare from a studio shot.

Vanbar are prepared to sell me a 48cm-square sheet for $300, and while I can get a similar-sized Rosco sheet from B&H for US$43 (plus shipping) I'm curious if anyone knows of better local sources.

Thanks

[PiroStitch]

Can you use a gobo or a snoot to shape the light better rather than using a polariser? Have you looked at cinefoil? It's black aluminium foil.

[firsty]

Dave
Rosco have an office/store in Sydney (I picked up some Cinegel from them a few months ago)

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Rosco Australia Pty Ltd
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o 42 Sawyer La Artarmon 2064
o (02) 9906 6262
o
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o Mobile Service
o 0412 596 262

if they don't ship I go past there every Friday and can pick up for you

[Matt. K]

Can't shoot a second shot by available light and replace the glare using Photoshop cloning magic?

[MATT]

Could you use a diffuser from a Fluro light??? Or would this cut to much light?

MATT

[DaveB]

Thanks Keith, I'll give them a call.

One of the things I'm planning to shoot with it is Cibachrome. That is, I have a commission to copy some scratched Ciba prints. The reflections from these can be nasty! Especially as these ones were bonded to backing board and aren't perfectly smooth any more.

By polarising the light sources, I can use a polariser on the lens to eliminate the reflections. It still needs work to make sure I don't have "depolarised" secondary reflections, etc but it will make life a lot easier! I managed to copy some Ciba prints in the past for reproduction in an exhibition catalogue, but they were tiny compared to these latest ones.

[Matt. K]

Dave
Whoohoo! Cibachrome is shiny stuff! Have fun! One method that will work....light with 2 lights at 45 degrees (1 each side) in a dark room. Hang up a sheet of black velvet or cloth between the camera and the print and poke the lens through a fold or cut a hole for the lens. Careful placement of the light will cancel out the reflections and the cloth prevents the camera or operator being reflected. Polarising the lights and the camera will cost you about 8 or 12 stops of light but is an alternative. An expensive alternative. Good luck whichever way you go.