Camera
Filter
Safe
Caution
Avoid
Pitch
Megapixels
Pixels
Sensor
Diffraction ratio
ƒ-stops
(thirds)
Ultraviolet Visible Light Infrared
350 400 470 550 590 665 720 780 830 930 1000
Diffraction ratio legend
No visible diffraction (less than 3)
Visible diffraction may slightly impact image sharpness (3 to 4.5)
Visible diffraction will impact image sharpness (4.5 or greater)

How To Use

  • Camera select a camera. If your camera is not listed, request to add it here.
  • Filter select a filter. If a column is gray, that wavelength of light will not be transmitted by the selected filter.
    • Select Full spectrum when using a full spectrum converted camera with no additional filter. If you use a full spectrum camera with an additional filter, then select the filter used.
    • Select Hot mirror or UV/IR cut for an unconverted camera, as these contain a hot mirror filter, or when using a full spectrum camera with an added UV/IR cut filter.
    • If you add a filter to an unconverted camera, select that filter. This should be a 720 nm or higher filter.
  • ƒ-stops switch between (whole) and (third) values.
    • Safe shows the highest ƒ-number that you can use to completely avoid diffraction. This ƒ-number has a Diffraction ratio of 3 or lower at all wavelengths.
    • Caution shows the ƒ-number that you can use with mild visible diffraction. This ƒ-number has a Diffraction ratio of 3.75 or lower at all wavelengths.
    • Avoid shows the ƒ-number that will produce visible diffraction. This ƒ-number has a Diffraction ratio of 4.5 or higher at some wavelengths.
    • Safe, Caution, and Avoid ƒ-stops are calculated to the one-third ƒ-stop regardless of whether you are viewing the whole stop or one-third ƒ-stop table.
    • Optionally, select the row of the ƒ-stop you wish to shoot at.