Machine Vision Filters: The MidOpt® Difference

Optical filters are essential for achieving reliable, high-quality results in machine vision applications. They don’t just block or pass light – they enhance system performance by increasing contrast, improving color accuracy, reducing glare and isolating specific wavelengths. But not all filters are created equal.

Here are the key features to look for when choosing a filter for your imaging system:

1. Precision Wavelength Control with StablEDGE® Technology

Traditional filters often experience short-shifting – a distortion that occurs when wide-angle or short focal length lenses (typically 12mm or less) are used. This causes the filter’s passband to shift, degrading performance at the critical edge. MidOpt® filters with StablEDGE® technology solve this problem by integrating absorptive glass to define the leading edge of the passband, ensuring stability even at field-of-view angles over 100 degrees.

2. Passband Performance that Matches Your LED Illumination

Many filters on the market have high, flat-top transmission profiles that allow excess ambient light to leak through at the spectral “tails.” MidOpt® filters are engineered to closely emulate the bell-shaped spectral output of commonly used LEDs. This design limits noise and maximizes contrast by aligning the filter’s passband with the most useful part of the illumination spectrum.

3. High-Transmission Anti-Reflection (A/R) Coating

Each time light hits a bare glass surface, about 4% is lost to reflection. MidOpt® filters feature advanced anti-reflection coatings on both sides, reducing reflection loss to less than 1% per surface. The result: greater transmission efficiency, sharper contrast, and minimized ghosting or flare in high-precision imaging environments.

4. Exceptional Quality & Repeatability

Every MidOpt® filter undergoes rigorous inspection to ensure near-flawless surface quality (scratch/dig 40/20 or better) and 100% spectral performance verification using state-of-the-art spectrophotometers. Additionally, filters are secured into mounts with precisely controlled torque, preserving optical flatness and eliminating stress-induced distortion – critical for repeatability in production environments.

5. Flexible and Reliable Mounting Options

MidOpt® stocks over 20,000 mounted filters, ready for same-day shipping, in sizes ranging from M13.25 to M105. Whether you're working with threaded lenses, slip-fit systems, or custom configurations, MidOpt® offers a wide variety of mounting solutions – including the exclusive 25.4® C-Mount filters, which mount securely behind the lens for added convenience.