what is a "Scrim" ? at DVinfo.net

Nawaf Alali · January 11th, 2004, 01:38 AM

I searched this subject, but didn't find any help.

I just bought a lighting kit, and it came with bunch of Scrims, in different sizes. what are they used for exactely?

Ken Tanaka · January 11th, 2004, 02:09 AM

Scrims are a bit like neutral density filters. That is, they reduce the amount of light emitted by the lighting instrument.

They are frames with wire meshes that mount to the front of the light. The denser the mesh the greater the light reduction.

Bryan Beasleigh · January 11th, 2004, 02:24 AM

A scrim is a piece of wire mesh that when placed over the light face, reduces the light output of the fixture. They come in all flavors. A single reduces light by one half stop (1/4 of the light output) or a double is a full stop (halves the light output).

You can also buy half scrims where half is clear and half is mesh or even graduated scrims.

Look at it as a dimmer.

Edit
Ya snuck up on me Ken. I didn't see your post when i answered.

Charles Papert · January 11th, 2004, 03:37 AM

It may be worth mentioning that for those who wonder "if it's like a dimmer, why not just use a dimmer" is that other than being a simple and low-tech way to reduce the output of the light, scrims will not change the color temperature of the light whereas dimming will (the output will become progressively warmer as the unit is dimmed).

Nawaf Alali · January 11th, 2004, 05:46 AM

thanx for the reply all.

Anthony Meluso · January 11th, 2004, 03:33 PM

Would it be possible to place a gel shuch as a Rosco Light Frost in front of the scrim to diffuse the light or is the scrim kinda already doing that. I'm thinking in terms of the fill light which I would like to weaken its light output but also diffues it. Thanks

Charles Papert · January 11th, 2004, 03:39 PM

Scrims do not difuse the light, only cut down the output. Diffusion will by nature also reduce the light transmission while softening the beam. If you intend to diffuse the light, add the frost first and then if you still need to cut down the intensity, you can either double up or use stronger diffusion, if desired, or add a scrim.

The closer the diffusion is to the light, the less effect it will have. Dropping a small square or circle of diffusion into the slot where the scrims go will have less of a softening effect than if you clipped a larger piece to the barn doors, and so on. However, the intensity will not be affected.

January 11th, 2004, 01:38 AM	#1
Nawaf Alali Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Kuwait, Kuwait Posts: 100	what is a "Scrim" ? I searched this subject, but didn't find any help. I just bought a lighting kit, and it came with bunch of Scrims, in different sizes. what are they used for exactely?

January 11th, 2004, 02:09 AM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Scrims are a bit like neutral density filters. That is, they reduce the amount of light emitted by the lighting instrument. They are frames with wire meshes that mount to the front of the light. The denser the mesh the greater the light reduction. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

January 11th, 2004, 03:37 AM	#4
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	It may be worth mentioning that for those who wonder "if it's like a dimmer, why not just use a dimmer" is that other than being a simple and low-tech way to reduce the output of the light, scrims will not change the color temperature of the light whereas dimming will (the output will become progressively warmer as the unit is dimmed). __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

January 11th, 2004, 03:39 PM	#7
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Scrims do not difuse the light, only cut down the output. Diffusion will by nature also reduce the light transmission while softening the beam. If you intend to diffuse the light, add the frost first and then if you still need to cut down the intensity, you can either double up or use stronger diffusion, if desired, or add a scrim. The closer the diffusion is to the light, the less effect it will have. Dropping a small square or circle of diffusion into the slot where the scrims go will have less of a softening effect than if you clipped a larger piece to the barn doors, and so on. However, the intensity will not be affected. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

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January 11th, 2004, 02:24 AM	#3
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	A scrim is a piece of wire mesh that when placed over the light face, reduces the light output of the fixture. They come in all flavors. A single reduces light by one half stop (1/4 of the light output) or a double is a full stop (halves the light output). You can also buy half scrims where half is clear and half is mesh or even graduated scrims. Look at it as a dimmer. Edit Ya snuck up on me Ken. I didn't see your post when i answered.

January 11th, 2004, 05:46 AM	#5
Nawaf Alali Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Kuwait, Kuwait Posts: 100	thanx for the reply all.

January 11th, 2004, 03:33 PM	#6
Anthony Meluso Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 53	Would it be possible to place a gel shuch as a Rosco Light Frost in front of the scrim to diffuse the light or is the scrim kinda already doing that. I'm thinking in terms of the fill light which I would like to weaken its light output but also diffues it. Thanks