B+W 72mm 486 Digital UV/IR (MRC) Blocking Filter

  • Price: $135.50
  • B&H # BW486MC72
  • Mfr# 66-031975

Product Highlights

  • MRC (Multi-Resistant Coating)
  • Rugged Black Brass Filter Ring
  • High Quality Schott Glass
  • 10-Year Warranty

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This B&W 72mm 486 Digital UV/IR (MRC) Blocking Filter has a completely colorless glass carrier coated with a number of extremely thin, partially reflecting layers with precisely computed thicknesses, similar to MC coating (multi-coating).

The B&W 486 Filter is not an "absorption" filter. It interferes with unwanted UV and IR radiation which affects the wavelengths of both ends of the visible spectrum. The disruption occurs when these two variables scatter between each other and cause a drop-off effect.

The filter ring is made from brass yielding a stronger product. Brass filter rings are also less prone to jamming. In addition, the seal between the glass and filter ring is exceptionally strong giving the filter added strength and durability.

The Multi-Resistant Coating (MRC) is harder than traditional B+W glass. This helps prevent scratches as well as being water and dirt repellent.

In production, the filter glass is dropped into the empty filter ring from the rear and held in place with a threaded retaining ring; this is a definite advantage over a competitor who uses a spring clip to hold the glass in place. A threaded retaining ring will hold the glass firmly and securely in place to avoid the possibility of rattling and provide perfect parallelity and flatness to your front lens element for ideal optics. The part about additional filters not binding is due to the fact that brass is a very stable metal and does not contract or expand like alloy.

The reputation of B+W's Schott glass is world renowned. The high production standards combined with a sturdy brass filter ring make B+W filters hard to beat. These filters have a "heft" to them that is impressive. They may feel heavier but the benefit is in the construction and results. Not only is the glass exceptional but so is the seal between the ring and glass. Schott Glass used in the manufacture of this filter is legendary and synonymous with the highest standards of filter production. It comes with a solid 10-year warranty.

Used mainly on digital and video cameras with CCD sensors without an integrated IR protection filter, because the IR sensitivity of the CCD sensor would otherwise cause color changes and unsharpness.
That unsharpness results from the chromatic aberration of the lenses that are only corrected for visible light.
In the visible range, the transmission curve is very high and straight.
Type Infrared
Size 72mm
Grade 486
Filter Factor This filter is completely clear and it requires no increase in exposure
Multi-Coated Yes, MRC (Multi-Resistant Coating)
Rotating Not Applicable
Effect Blocks unwanted UV and IR radiation
Application Digital and video photography
Color Temperature Not Applicable
Construction Schott Glass
Front Filter Thread Size 72mm
Front Lens Cap Size 72mm

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
B+W 72mm 486 Digital UV/IR (MRC) Blocking Filter
 
3.0

(based on 2 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (1)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (0)

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  • 1 Stars

     

    (1)

REVIEWS

Reviewed by 2 customers

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5.0

Allows blacks to remain black

By Bishop

from Florida

About Me Hobbyist

Verified Buyer

Pros

  • Compact Design
  • Easy To Use
  • Improves Performance
  • Lightweight
  • Professional Quality
  • Well made

Cons

  • None

Best Uses

  • Complex Projects
  • Home Movies
  • Independent Films
  • In The Studio

Comments about B+W 72mm 486 Digital UV/IR (MRC) Blocking Filter:

Bought this filter for one of my old Nikon AI lenses to be used with a Sony PMW-F3 camera. It does what it was intended to do , filter out far red without otherwise interfering with the image. I bought several of these filters in different thread sizes and plan to leave them permanently affixed to their respective lenses.

  • Was this a gift?:
  • No

Comment on this review

(1 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

 
1.0

Just for long focals

By Zé De Boni

from Sao Paulo, Brazil

About Me Pro Photographer

Verified Reviewer

Pros

    Cons

    • Just for telefoto lenses

    Best Uses

      Comments about B+W 72mm 486 Digital UV/IR (MRC) Blocking Filter:

      I bought this filter in two sizes to use in my Fuji IS-Pro just to have more versatility. So I can get natural visible light results with that camera as well as I can capture infra-red images with no filter or using special IR filters.
      The fact that the filter cuts the unwanted UV and IR lights by interference, rather than by absorption sounds like magic or trick. Amazingly, it really works! Pictures taken with this filter show no trace of the effect of infrared light. So, a light and thin coated glass can do the job., but…
      The problem comes from the same properties of interference given by the coatings: the interference varies with the angle of incidence of the light on the glass. This renders this filter unusable with wide-angle and even normal focal lenses, resulting in a greenish gradient from the center to the corners. The center may be neutral, according to the proper white balance, but the green color cast is clearly perceptible around it, the wider the angle. My careful tests have shown that only lenses longer than 50mm (short telefoto) may give acceptable results.
      That throws away the versatility that I expected from that camera and so I just carry it when I plan to do IR images. So this expensive filter has turned practically useless for me.

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      Filter pouch

      Pearstone -  Four Filter Pouch (37mm to 82mm)
        • Original: $9.95
        • Save: $0.99
      • Price: $8.96
       

      Care & Cleaning

      Pearstone -  Microfiber Cleaning Cloth, 18% Gray (7 x 7.9")
        • Original: $4.99
        • Save: $0.50
      • Price: $4.49
       

      What's in the Box

      B+W 72mm 486 Digital UV/IR (MRC) Blocking Filter
      • Plastic Storage Case
      • Ten-Year Warranty
       
       
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