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Glite Dictionary
orthochromatic

orthochromatic

9.9
Sensitive to most visible light but not to red light when used in camera film
  • adjective
  • /ˌɔrθoʊkrəˈmætɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : ortocromático
  • Orthochromatic film is sensitive to all visible light except red, making it ideal for capturing daylight images.

Examples

  • Orthochromatic film is sensitive to the blue to yellow region of the spectrum, and panchromatic extends sensitivity to red.

    Academic text (1995)

  • Infrared ray-sensitive film gives a result that is not obtainable with pan-chromatic or orthochromatic emulsions.

    Academic text (1995)

  • Orthochromatic plates are often preferred by photographers for their accuracy in rendering colors except red.

  • The orthochromatic properties of this film produce stunning black and white photos by excluding red wavelengths.

Compounds

orthochromatic film
  • Archaic
9.6

Film for taking photos that reacts to blue, violet, and green light but not red

How Sensitive

panchromatic
  • Specialized
8.4
orthochromatic
  • Specialized
9.9

Surface Forms

orthochromatic positive

Morphology

orthochromatic = chromatic (opaque) = ortho + chromatic

Although formed from 'ortho-' + 'chromatic', the photographic sense (sensitivity excluding red) is specialized and not derivable by an average B1 learner from the morphemes.

Etymology

Orthochromatic comes from ortho- 'correct' and chromatic 'color', the same ortho- you see in orthodox; together they suggest 'correct color'. Photographers used the term for film that could record most visible light but not red, so the name shows the idea of making colors look 'right' even though red tones did not come out correctly.