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Rosco 216
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Rosco 216

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Rosco 216: Heavy diffusion gel by Rosco (E-Colour+ #216) that softens light with minimal color shift.

Overview

Rosco 216 is a white diffusion gel manufactured by Rosco, cataloged as #216 "White Diffusion" in the European E-Colour+ range. It is a full diffusion material that transforms hard, direct light into a soft, almost shadowless field with minimal color temperature shift. 216 is one of the most widely used diffusion strengths on set and serves as a reference point: weaker variations of the same type (e.g., 1/2, 1/4 diffusion) are graded relative to the "full" 216.

The number 216 is a catalog/filter number and NOT a stop value or an ANSI lamp code.

Designations and Variants

The same material appears under different names depending on the Rosco product line:

  • E-Colour+ #216 – "White Diffusion" (European range; same number as the LEE standard 216).
  • Cinegel #3026 – "Tough White Diffusion (216)"; same diffusion effect, but on a more heat-resistant "Tough" base for use directly in front of high-output fixtures.

Available as single/double sheets and rolls; the material is cut to size and stretched in frames, silks, or directly in front of the light source.

Technical Data

PropertyValue (Rosco Specification)
TypeFull white diffusion (heavy diffusion)
Transmissionapprox. 36%
Light Lossapprox. 1 1/2 stops
Color Shiftminimal
Softening Temperatureapprox. 125 °C
Melting Temperatureapprox. 300 °C

Exact values may vary slightly depending on the product line (E-Colour+ vs. Cinegel "Tough") and batch; the current Rosco Swatchbook entry is definitive.

On-Set Usage

216 is used to significantly enlarge and soften a light source – for example, as an attachment in front of tungsten or LED panels, stretched on a diffusion frame, or used on silks and overhead frames. The result is a broad, low-shadow illumination, often desired for skin tones, interviews, and beauty lighting. Due to the light loss of about 1 1/2 stops, the fixture's output must be planned accordingly. For direct use in front of hot lights, the heat-resistant "Tough" variant (Cinegel #3026) should be used to prevent warping or melting.

From the crafts

Perspectives

Cinematographer

Aus DoP-Perspektive ist dieses Element essentiell für die visuelle Gestaltung. Es ermöglicht mir die gewünschte Farbstimmung und das ästhetische Bild konsistent umzusetzen.

Producer

Diese professionelle Lösung erhöht die Produktionseffizienz und reduziert Post-Production-Anforderungen. Sie ermöglicht flexible, schnelle Anpassungen während des Drehs.

Gaffer

Als Gaffer ist dies ein unverzichtbares Werkzeug meines täglichen Handwerkszeugs. Es ermöglicht mir professionelle Lichtkontrolle und schnelle Anpassungen auf Set, was Zeit spart und Qualität sichert.

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1. Zu welchem Department gehört „Rosco 216 (White Diffusion)"?

2. Wie viele verschiedene Fachperspektiven bietet dieser Eintrag?

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