Lee 126

Overview

LEE 126, with the designation "Mauve", is a color effect light filter (color gel) from the color palette of the British manufacturer LEE Filters. It is a strong, dark magenta/violet gel that is stretched in front of the light source (luminaire) or inserted into the color gel frame to tint the emitted light. The number 126 is the fixed order number within the LEE color system and uniquely identifies the hue.

Mauve is not a correction or diffusion gel, but a pure color effect gel: it changes the light color for creative purposes (mood, atmosphere), not for color temperature correction.

Technical Data

LEE specifies the following transmission values for the gel (Source: LEE Filters Product Data Sheet 126 Mauve):

The low transmission of around 4-5% clearly indicates that it is a very saturated, intense color that filters out a large part of the spectrum. Accordingly, a powerful luminaire is required to achieve effective brightness.

Available Formats

LEE offers 126 Mauve in the standard formats for its range:

• Sheet: full sheet approx. 1.22 m × 0.53 m, half sheet approx. 0.61 m × 0.53 m
• Roll: on 1" or 2" core, standard length approx. 7.62 m

As is customary with LEE color effect gels, the material consists of dyed polyester or polycarbonate; heat resistance is limited, which is why sufficient distance or ventilation must be maintained with hot tungsten sources.

Set Usage

Mauve is primarily used as an effect and mood color. Typical applications include backlight and background lighting, where the dark magenta/violet tone creates depth and drama. In the theater and concert sector, the hue is among the popular "Rock 'n' Roll" colors for atmospheric stage looks. Since the gel is referenced against tungsten lamps, the impression shifts with dimmed light (warmer) or with cold LED or daylight sources; for LED sources, LEE offers an adapted version, CL126, which recreates the impression of the classic 126 on tungsten with cool white LEDs.