The absorption spectra of atomic W and Pt have been recorded by the dual laser plasma technique in the range of the 4f and 5p excitations. Broad, strong and asymmetric 5p to 5d resonances dominate the spectra. The Pt 4f to 5d transitions give rise to prominent maxima superimposed on the high energy slope of the 5p to 5d resonances. Strong coupling to the 5d to in f continuum manifests itself in the asymmetric profiles of the resonances and the extremely low cross section below the 5p onset for atomic W. The experimental results are compared to spectra calculated within the many-body perturbation theory and the relativistic random-phase approximation.