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Rosco 252
Lighting · Terms

Rosco 252

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rosco 251 rosco 253 rosco 250

Rosco 252 is a light diffusion filter (Eighth White Diffusion) that softly scatters light with minimal color shift.

Overview

Rosco 252 is a diffusion filter designated "Eighth White Diffusion". It is a very subtle diffusion gel that slightly softens hard light, rounds edges, and mitigates highlights without noticeably dimming or coloring the light. The number 252 originates from LEE Filters' numbering system and is carried by Rosco under the identical number in their E-Colour+ series. A separate Roscolux number 252 does not exist – Roscolux is a distinct product line with its own numbering system (e.g., #114 Hamburg Frost or #116 Tough White Diffusion).

252 is the weakest of the diffusion gels listed here within the so-called White Diffusion family, a graduated series of similar diffusion gels:

  • 252 – Eighth (1/8) White Diffusion – weakest diffusion
  • 251 – Quarter (1/4) White Diffusion
  • 250 – Half (1/2) White Diffusion
  • 216 – (Full) White Diffusion – strongest diffusion

The LEE range also includes further intermediate stages (e.g., 452 Sixteenth, 450 Three Eighth, and 416 Three Quarter White Diffusion).

Technical Data

The following values are from the LEE Filters datasheet for filter 252; Rosco uses the same gel under the same number in the E-Colour+ series.

PropertyValue
DesignationEighth White Diffusion (1/8)
Transmission Y> 85
Light Lossless than 1/4 stop
Base MaterialPolyester (PET) – for LEE as well as Rosco E-Colour+
Reference Color Temperatureapprox. 6774 K (Source C, daylight)

As 252 is nearly color-neutral, it practically does not shift the color temperature of the light source and is therefore equally suitable for artificial and daylight.

On-Set Usage

The gel is typically placed directly in front of the fixture – for example, in the "gel frame" of Fresnel or PAR lights, clamped to barndoors, or stretched as a sheet in front of large LED panels. Due to its very low diffusion effect, 252 is used for fine-tuning: it takes only a hint of harshness away from a light source without making it noticeably softer or darker.

Typical applications include slightly smoothing skin highlights, subtly breaking reflections on glossy surfaces, and mixing with stronger diffusions when a level between "unfiltered" and "visibly diffused" is needed. As with all filter gels, maintain a distance between the gel and hot light sources to prevent heat damage, and use heat-resistant bases for strongly warming fixtures.

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 252 (Eighth White Diffusion)"?

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