Beyond Visible
Transmission Spectra of Filters for Ultraviolet and Infrared Photography

Shane Elen

These are actual spectra recorded from the filters and not manufacturers data unless otherwise noted.

Baader Ultraviolet Transmission Filters

Comparison of the 1.25" and the new 2" Baader Venus Ultraviolet Transmission Filter

Comparison of the 1.25" and the new 2" Baader Venus Ultraviolet Transmission Filter showing minor infrared leakage on the 1.25" filter at 737, 813 and 872nm, and no significant leakage on the new 2" filter

Ultraviolet Transmission Filters

Fig.1. Baader Venus 1.25" Ultraviolet Transmission Filter (only 0.15% IR leakage at 737nm, 0.3% at 813nm and 0.1% at 872nm)

Fig.2. Kodak 18A Ultraviolet Transmission Filter (14% IR leakage at 746nm)

Fig.3. B+W 403 Ultraviolet Transmission Filter (17% IR leakage at 746nm)

Fig.4. Tiffen 18A Ultraviolet Transmission Filter (14% IR leakage at 746nm)

Fig.5. Hoya U-330 Ultraviolet Transmission Filter (50% IR leakage at 715nm but also transmits SWUV) 2.5mm thick

Fig.6. Schott UG-1 Ultraviolet Transmission Filter (9% IR leakage at 746nm) 3.2mm thick

Associated Ultraviolet and Luminescence Filters

Fig.7. Schott BG38 (3.0 mm thick) is a good filter for blocking infrared leakage when used with the UV transmission filters for reflected ultraviolet, or with the 2E for recording visible fluorescence from blue through yellow

Fig.8. Schott BG39 (3.0 mm thick) filter for blocking infrared but due to the absorption slope in the ultraviolet region it also rejects a little too much ultraviolet. It can be useful for blue, green or yellow luminescence when used in conjunction with a 2E filter.

Fig.9. Tiffen Hot Mirror filter exhibits both poor infrared blocking and poor ultraviolet transmission

Fig.10. Kodak 2E, a great filter for recording visible fluorescence while blocking the UV excitation

Fig.11. 650nm band pass filter ideal for capturing blue through orange fluorescence

Fig.12. 700nm band pass filter ideal for capturing blue through red fluorescence while eliminating the majority of any infrared leakage from the UV excitation source

Fig.13. Baader UVIR cut filter (Version A: 420-680nm) filter

Infrared Filters

Fig.15. Kodak Wratten 87

Fig.16. Kodak Wratten 87C

Fig.17. Tiffen 87

Fig.18. Schott RG9 (3.2mm thick)

Fig.19. B+W 092

Fig.20. B+W 093

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© Shane Elen 2006. Last updated Jun 30th, 2007.