When I look at my LL reflector I can see through it. Everything behind the reflector has the coating color tint to it. Is this the way it is supposed to be? Or is it supposed to be more like a mirror where you can't see through it?

It is fine. It has a dichroic coating that reflects visible light and allows IR (heat) to pass through

DJ

Its fine, this feature lets the heat escape.

Obviously it isn't reflecting all the visable light though if you can see through it right? Also, since the color that seems to be making it's way through the reflector is red, aren't we possibly losing some the most important color by using this reflector?

...This has been bugging me ever since I got my pro reflector, and this topic just gave me the opportunity to ask...

you know, thats exactly what I have always wondered, I suppose it depends on where the "cutoff" starts frequency wise, but it does make you wonder doesn't it? it sure does cut down on the heat though...

Thats seems to make sense. I just expected it to be more like a mirror but I am not exactly mr. optics guy or anything like that. I wonder what would happen if I had the back silvered like a mirror? Do you think it would throw too much heat towards the lenses? Interesting...

Take a look at this post in Durachko's plog. I believe what he is implying here is that the reflectiveness lessens as the surface is viewed at an increasing angle.

If this is true, you should see the most reflective spot on the surface that is perpendicular to your eye. The shiny spot should move as the reflector is turned. Is this the case?

Also, if I am correct, the reflector should look more reflective as you move your eye closer to it. At the center of the sphere (where the arc is placed) it should be most reflective.

Can you confirm this?

Yes it does get more reflective at right angles. I see how it works now. Just looking at it looking down into the PJ it looks tranparent because of the angle. Thanks

This is how my reflector looks straight on

My reflector is wrapped up to the point that I do not wanna open it. I'm glad to hear that it's very reflective of perpendicular light!

It has nothing to do with angles it is tuned to reflect light and pass IR.

OK pick up your old college dictionary, OOPs you can't because I have it.
Dichroism - that property of a substance which results in its showing different colors of transmitted light, depending on the light path in the substance.

From this we can assume your Pro-Reflector was made from a strange material which fell from the sky.

Probably immediately after I saw the aliens unload all the bigfoots from their crates. Just a thought. ??? Angle not related ??

Man, it's weird that we can see through it at certain angles then isn't it?

what type of light are you in.?? try same angle only use different light source Flo ic whatever True dichroics are not angle impaired. may be IR light in your light source.??

heheh ummm beg to differ there dichroics change their wavelenght pass or reflect depending on angle,, thats why they look different at different angles,,, the coating type controls which wavelengths

one way they look redish the other way they look bluish,, all depends

not crystalline dichromatic then polychromatic????????? In translucent state???

All I know is I turn on switch and magic moving pictures come out! I do not want to anger them.