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 Comparison of the 1.25" and the new 2" Baader Venus Ultraviolet
Transmission Filter 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% Fig.2. Kodak 18A Ultraviolet Transmission Filter (14% IR leakage at
IR leakage at 737nm, 0.3% at 813nm and 0.1% at 872nm) 746nm)
Fig.3. B+W 403 Ultraviolet Transmission Filter (17% IR leakage at Fig.4. Tiffen 18A Ultraviolet Transmission Filter (14% IR leakage at
746nm) 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 Fig.8. Schott BG39 (3.0 mm thick) filter for blocking infrared but due to
leakage when used with the UV transmission filters for reflected the absorption slope in the ultraviolet region it also rejects a little too
ultraviolet, or with the 2E for recording visible fluorescence from blue much ultraviolet. It can be useful for blue, green or yellow luminescence
through yellow when used in conjunction with a 2E filter.
Fig.9. Tiffen Hot Mirror filter exhibits both poor infrared blocking and Fig.10. Kodak 2E, a great filter for recording visible fluorescence while
poor ultraviolet transmission blocking the UV excitation
Fig.11. 650nm band pass filter ideal for capturing blue through orange Fig.12. 700nm band pass filter ideal for capturing blue through red
fluorescence 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.