Optical filters selectively transmit specific wavelengths or colors of light while blocking all others. One type of optical filter is the optical bandpass filter, which allows the isolation of a band of wavelengths from the total spectrum without prisms or gratings. Tunable optical filters are a subset of optical bandpass filters; there are multiple types of tunable optical filter that vary in use and in speed.

Optical filters are commonly used in photography, in many optical instruments for both science and industry, and in stage lighting. Optical bandpass filtering can play several roles in your business.

1. Get optical filters custom-made for your project.

2. Find suppliers of optical filters that carry what your business needs.

3. Know where to find industrial optical filters used in manufacturing and research.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get custom fit or irregular optical filters

Although you can find many sizes of optical filters to use for your business, it is possible that you may not be able to use a standard size or power optical filter. You may need an irregular size or a different color optical filter, but there are optical filter suppliers that allow you to specify exactly what you need for your organization.

I recommend: Andover Corporation lists the general specifications from which the company can create a custom optical bandpass filter. Custom Scientific can turn your specifications or drawings into custom optical filters to suit your application.

Locate suppliers of optical bandpass filters

Once you determine what your business needs, you need to find good and reliable distributors of optical filters. Some optical filter manufacturers produce a variety of sizes or types of optical filters; others specialize in industrial optical filters or bandpass optical filters.

I recommend: Midwest Optical Filters carries several different color optical bandpass filters. Semrock has a chart that lists the different optical bandpass filters and notes specific features of each available filter such as size of the filter and cost.

Buy industrial optical filters for your manufacturing business

As manufacturing gets more precise and complicated, more manufacturers have found that vision devices and industrial optical filters can save money and improve productivity. If you need an industrial optical filter, turn to a company with good terms and warranties.

I recommend: Schneider Optics carries a range of industrial optical filters used in research and production. Omega Optical allows customers to shop by application, from flow cytometry to photolithography.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  There are a few optical filter suppliers that offer used optical filters. Most used filters carry good guarantees; investigate this option if you're comfortable with second-hand equipment.