Garden Lighting Help sheet  No. 4: - Filters and lenses

Garden lighting can be made more subtle, colourful or glare free by the addition of optional lenses or filters in outdoor  spotlights, recessed garden lights and exterior downlights.

Frosted lens

Use one to diffuse and soften the edge of the beam or pool of light and to disguise the appearance of the lamp (bulb) inside the garden lighting fitting. Frosted lenses are available as specific options fitted by the manufacturer during production (eg frosted lenses in Megabay MR16 copper & chrome garden spotlights with part numbers starting M6___), or as retrofit options - where a frosted lens is available as an option to replace a loose-fit clear lens as follows;

• G905F replaces clear lens in Megabay spike spotlights M2520 and M5520 and Megabay recessed steplights.
• M1110F flush frosted lens replaces clear lens in Megabay Nautilus underwater and recessed lights.
• E4000 Elipta frosted lens replaces the clear lens in Elipta 12v spotlights, downlights and recessed steplights.
• MR16-A-FL clip-on frosted lens may be fitted onto an MR16 lamp in other fittings such as Megabay Amphibian and Elipta 240v spotlights. The clip may be removed for insertion between the lampholder flange plate and the lamp inside the M2810/M2801 Quovadis recessed uplight range and as a loose insert in front of the MR16 lamp some other fittings.

Edgesoft lens..

use an M1110-EF flush edgesoft lens to soften the hard lower edge of an uplighting beam from a Nautilus recessed uplight (M2506, M2507) when uplighting walls or columns – this gives a more even lighting effect without a defined “scallop” and less of a hot spot of light where it first reaches the lit surface.

Internal honeycomb glare louvres..

reduce the visibility of the lamp within the garden spotlight, exterior downlight, steplight or uplight and help to avoid glare around paths, patios and viewpoints. They are recommended for use in  garden spotlights lighting down onto and in uplights and outdoor spotlights near to seating, dining, deck, path and patio areas. Reducing the visibility of the light source aids visual comfort and helps to hide the light’s source within the scene

• M1015 50mm louvre – fits Megabay copper & chrome MR16 low voltage spotlights, inserts between the lampholder flange plate and the lamp inside the M2810/M2801 Quovadis recessed uplight range and can be fitted as a loose insert in front of the MR16 lamp in some other fittings such as Elipta 12v spotlights and steplights.
• M1016 35mm louvre – is fitted loose behind the clear lens in Megabay M2600 Piccolo planter light and some other MR11 garden lighting fittings.
• M1017 60mm louvre – is fitted loose behind the clear lens in Megabay garden spotlights M2520 and M5520 and Megabay recessed steplights.
• MR16-A-HL clip-on 50mm honeycomb louvre may be fitted onto an MR16 lamp in fittings such as Megabay Amphibian 12v recessed lights and Elipta 240v exterior spotlights.

Spread lens..

use one to turn a round light beam into a rectangular one when you are trying to “fit” a lamp beam to a square or rectangular subject.  MR16-A-SL fits most MR16 or GU10 fittings with or without clip

Colour filters

can create stunning lighting effects when used in combination with suitable materials - blue makes water look fresh and creates vivid displays with water, glass and stainless steel.  MR16-A clip-on colour filters fit most MR16 or GU10 fittings with or without clip; standard colours include;

• MR16-A-BAF – blue
• MR16-A-GDF – green
• MR16-A-PDF – purple
• MR16-A-RDF – red
• MR16-A-YDF – yellow

Special colours are available to order.