CineRags by CineMilled Introduced – New Diffusion Products for Aputure Domes

Lighting News

by Jose PradaJanuary 3^rd, 2024

CineMilled has released CineRags, a muslin diffusion alternative for Aputure 150 and 2 and 3 light dome models. With these products, the company gives Aputure users another tool in their arsenal to shape their lighting differently. Let’s take a look at what this new product offers!

CineMilled is a company based in Los Angeles, California, created by camera and SteadiCam operator Pedro Guimaraes, SOC. His products are solutions born from his own needs, including gimbal accessories, power solutions, and vehicle camera rigging, to name a few.

Matching cinematography industry standards

This time, CineMilled partnered with a small, family-owned sewing company based in L.A. to create Cinerags diffusion, a new alternative to Aputure’s diffusion inserts for Aputure Dome 150 and Dome 2 and 3. The idea emerged as a solution to those situations when even the minimal output of Aputure lights (10%) proved too strong for the scene. Replacing Aputure’s original diffusion with a thicker material was the solution and the origin of these CineRags diffusion inserts. 

CineRags are high-quality hand-sewn muslin inserts for Aputure light domes. CineMilled selected and tested various muslin options until they found a near-perfect match to the industry-standard muslin favored by Los Angeles cinematographers.

The fabric also covers the backside of the velcro, so the edges are not exposed. This design ensures that all light reflects evenly off the muslin, giving a more uniform output. Another advantage of using muslin over plastic diffusion is the additional benefit of reduced noise, particularly in windy conditions.

All the fabrics have been pre-washed and pre-shrunk to ensure a perfect fit. CineRags also features an EZ-Pull tab sewn in to facilitate its removal.

Shaping light’s color and intensity

When using any diffusion or bouncing material, one of the most important aspects to consider is the color temperature. Any diffusion fabric between the light source and the subject will affect light’s characteristics, so it is essential to have correct values for consistency. The company offers two CineRags diffusion versions, bleached and unbleached muslin. As you may know, unbleached muslin has a yellowish tone, which makes it suitable for warmer scenes and more pleasant skin tones. 

CineMilled has tested and tried to match the color temperature of industry-standard muslin. In summary, their bleached muslin has a drop in color temperature of around 350 Kelvin compared to direct light, while the original Aputure diffusion decreases by about 150K. The unbleached version decreases to around 1140K, almost identical to the industry standard. For these measurements, they lit the subject from 6 feet, a typical distance when using these light domes. Regarding light loss, the CineRag diffusion is around two light stops, about a half stop more than Aputure’s thickest option.  

Price and availability

CineMilled’s goal is to develop CineRags muslin diffusion for all the Aputure light boxes plus more brands in the future. You can now buy the bleached and unbleached versions from their website. The CineRags Muslin 150 Light Dome Insert sells for $69.99, and the CineRags Muslin Light Dome 2&3 Insert is available for $59.99.

What do you think about CineRags by CineMilled? Is it a tool you would like to include in your bag? Let us know in the comments!