Optical Filter Guides

A useful filter choice starts with understanding the light you want to keep. These practical guides help you read the curves, compare filter types and work through the details of your application.

Not sure where to begin?

Start with the selection guide, then learn what the transmission chart can tell you.

Find your filter type →Learn to read a chart →

Explore the guides

Have a particular setup in mind? Tell us what you are trying to achieve, and we can discuss a suitable starting design.

Optical Filter Guides

Choosing a Standard Filter or Requesting a Cust...

You do not need a finished drawing to start. Share the application first, then work toward an agreed optical and mechanical specification.

Choosing a Standard Filter or Requesting a Cust...

You do not need a finished drawing to start. Share the application first, then work toward an agreed optical and mechanical specification.

Can I Stack Optical Filters? How to Check Trans...

Combining filters can be useful, but each added element changes the light path. Work through the spectrum and the imaging consequences.

Can I Stack Optical Filters? How to Check Trans...

Combining filters can be useful, but each added element changes the light path. Work through the spectrum and the imaging consequences.

Optical Density and Blocking Range: What Do You...

An OD number needs a wavelength range and measurement conditions. Learn how to turn “block the background” into a useful requirement.

Optical Density and Blocking Range: What Do You...

An OD number needs a wavelength range and measurement conditions. Learn how to turn “block the background” into a useful requirement.

Why Does My Filter Change When I Tilt It?

The holder angle is only part of the story. Learn why a lens can expose a filter to many angles at once.

Why Does My Filter Change When I Tilt It?

The holder angle is only part of the story. Learn why a lens can expose a filter to many angles at once.

CTO, CTB or Minus-Green: Which Color Correction...

Separate warmth and coolness from green tint, then evaluate the correction with your actual light source.

CTO, CTB or Minus-Green: Which Color Correction...

Separate warmth and coolness from green tint, then evaluate the correction with your actual light source.

IR-Cut, UV-Cut or UV/IR-Cut: Choosing a Filter ...

Decide which invisible wavelengths belong in your image before choosing what to block.

IR-Cut, UV-Cut or UV/IR-Cut: Choosing a Filter ...

Decide which invisible wavelengths belong in your image before choosing what to block.