Filmlexikon.
Support
1/2 CTB
Lighting · Equipment

1/2 CTB

Murnau AI illustration
full ctb 1 4 ctb tungsten 3200k

Mid-strength CTB color correction filter with +68 Mired shift for converting tungsten (3200K) to 4500K.

Technical Specifications

1/2 CTB (Color Temperature Blue) shifts the color temperature by +68 Mireds, raising Tungsten light from 3200K to approximately 4500K. With Lee Filters, this filter is numbered #202 ("Half CTB"), with Rosco it's #3204 ("1/2 Blue"). Light transmission is 52%, corresponding to a loss of 1 stop.

Mixed Light Strategy

4500K lies mathematically between Tungsten (3200K) and Daylight (5600K) on the Mired scale. When white balancing to 4500K, Tungsten appears slightly warm and Daylight slightly cool. This symmetrical deviation is perceived as an acceptable "color depth."

Practical Application

Typical applications:

  • Interview setup with window light (5600K) as background
  • Corporate videos in office environments with mixed lighting
  • Location shoots in apartments with mixed practicals

Comparison of CTB Strengths

FilterMired ShiftKelvin (from 3200K)Light Loss
1/8 CTB+173500K0.3 Stops
1/4 CTB+343800K0.6 Stops
1/2 CTB+684500K1.0 Stop
Full CTB+1315600K1.8 Stops
More in the lexikon

Related terms

Report an error
From the Filmfarm ecosystem

Understand visual language, budget productions, connect crew.

The Lexikon is part of the Filmfarm ecosystem — alongside budgeting (FilmBalance), an industry magazine (FilmCircus) and crew networking (FilmCall, CrewMesh). One shared vocabulary for the whole production.

FilmFarm FilmRadarComing soonFilmPulseComing soonFilmNumbersComing soonFilmCapitalComing soonFilmLabComing soonFilmBalanceComing soonFilmCircusComing soon