BP550
UV+NIR Block/Visible Pass Filter

The single substrate, hard-coated BP550 filter is designed for use in full color, white light applications where either infrared or ultraviolet light (or both) may be present. Because of the steep cut-off of these undesired wavelengths, a BP550 will effectively pass all visible light without “discoloring” the image. While color rendition is greatly improved, this filter also serves as a dust cover, protecting lens surfaces and internal threads.

BP550 reflects UV (below 400nm) and IR (NEW! Now blocks 700-1550 nm) wavelengths. The material does not auto-fluoresce but is somewhat angle of incidence sensitive, exhibiting typical "blue-shifting"; it is designed for 0°-30° applications. Because it's a very broad bandpass filter, the shifting at longer wavelengths usually does not effect peak performance.

Our latest version of these filters features extended infrared rejection out to approximately 1550nm, resulting in significantly more heat removal in many applications when compared to standard commercial “hot mirrors.” The second surface is anti-reflection coated for improved transmission and elimination of glare and ghost images.

The material used for the BP550 is Borofloat, a low expansion glass similar to Pyrex. This single substrate, hard-coated filter can withstand a "lifetime" of extremely high temperatures. Coatings are known to be one of the most heat resistant made anywhere and are used in the most demanding lighting applications by hundreds of companies around the world. We can also supply this coating on fused quartz or fused silica if extremely high temperatures are a problem. Again, the substrate will fail before the coating does in such cases.

This filter is offered with a normal thickness of 2mm, but can also be supplied 1mm thick.

Example:

(left) Straight digital color image.
(right) True visible color is achieved by eliminating the UV and IR wavelengths.

More examples

Download Excel Spreadsheet with data and curve for this filter.

Standard Threaded Mounts:
We offer standard filter sizes from stock – 22.5mm to 62mm – for same- or next-day shipping. Larger filters – 67mm to 105mm – are made to order and are normally not returnable.

Click here for PDF drawing of standard mounts

Slip Mounts:
If your lens does not have threads for mounting a filter, Slip Mount adapters are available. Slip Mounts can attach a regular filter to a lens or attach a very large filter to accommodate a wide angle lens. Please call to order Slip Mount adapters.

C-Mounts:
3mm thick threaded mount for adding a filter between lens and camera
Click here for PDF drawing of c-mounts

Transmission chart (typical)
Passes 410-690nm
Reflects 350-400nm and 710-1550nm

1500
1490
1480
1470
1460
1450
1440
1430
1420
1410

1400
1390
1380
1370
1360
1350
1340
1330
1320
1310

1300
1290
1280
1270
1260
1250
1240
1230
1220
1210

1200
1190
1180
1170
1160
1150
1140
1130
1120
1110

1100
1090
1080
1070
1060
1050
1040
1030
1020
1010

1000
990
980
970
960
950
940
930
920
910

900
890
880
870
860

4.72
3.76
3.36
3.38
3.80
4.58
5.55
6.20
6.25
6.14

6.21
6.13
5.11
3.48
2.31
1.72
1.51
1.60
2.05
3.09

4.54
4.66
3.73
3.17
3.14
3.44
3.80
3.94
3.88
3.69

3.51
3.53
3.71
3.39
2.55
2.01
2.07
2.80
3.80
3.26

1.67
0.64
0.30
0.21
0.19
0.29
0.86
2.61
1.76
1.07

0.44
0.30
0.52
2.27
0.56
0.45
1.18
0.73
0.44
0.30

0.21
0.52
0.22
0.08
0.07

850
840
830
820
810

800
790
780
770
760
750
740
730
720
710

700
690
680
670
660
650
640
630
620
610

600
590
580
570
560
550
540
530
520
510

500
490
480
470
460
450
440
430
420
410

400
390
380
370
360
350
340
330
320
310

300
290
280
270
260
250
240
230
220
210

0.15
0.23
0.11
0.10
0.18

0.20
0.10
1.57
0.17
0.21
0.47
1.22
2.22
2.17
39.44

81.48
93.16
93.47
92.24
94.47
95.01
94.25
94.67
94.77
94.52

93.98
93.01
92.43
93.66
92.40
92.37
93.29
93.52
89.60
93.12

90.90
91.79
89.90
91.25
91.41
90.76
89.46
89.50
86.46
84.14

6.85
2.15
0.26
0.76
0.05
0.18
0.33
0.00
0.26
0.22

0.23
0.00
0.00
0.12
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00