MOSAIC ENGINEERING ARCHIVE
DiscontinuedBlackmagic Camera Filters
Historical optical anti-aliasing and VAF/IR filter products developed for selected Blackmagic digital-cinema camera systems.
PRODUCT FAMILY
Optical Filtering for Digital-Cinema Cameras
Mosaic developed camera-specific filters for selected Blackmagic systems to address aliasing, moiré, and in some versions near-infrared response within the camera's optical path.
These products were designed around the geometry and optical requirements of particular camera platforms rather than as universal filters.
The product family is now discontinued, but the technical information is retained for historical reference and for users who may still possess legacy Mosaic hardware.
INSTALLED FILTER
Designed Around the Camera's Internal Optical Path
Rather than placing a generic filter in front of the lens, these systems positioned the optical element close to the sensor where it could operate within a more controlled imaging geometry.
Sensor-proximate placement can reduce the dependence on individual lens diameter, but it introduces much tighter requirements for mechanical fit, cleanliness, focus, optical thickness, and installation.
OPTICAL FUNCTION
Why Add Optical Filtering?
Digital cinema systems can encounter multiple optical challenges before the image reaches the sensor.
Aliasing
Fine spatial detail that exceeds the sensor's effective sampling capability can be converted into false image information.
Moiré
Repeating patterns in fabrics, screens, architecture, or other subjects can interact with sensor sampling and create visible interference patterns.
Near-Infrared Response
Depending on the camera and filter architecture, near-infrared energy can contribute unwanted response that may need to be controlled separately from visible-light anti-aliasing.
VAF / IR
Combining Spatial Filtering and Infrared Control
Some historical Blackmagic products combined optical anti-aliasing with near-infrared control within a single camera-specific optical assembly.
Combining functions inside one stack reduces the need to treat spatial filtering and spectral filtering as completely separate components.
The exact behavior depends on the materials, coatings, wavelength region, filter stack, and camera architecture involved.
CAMERA INTEGRATION
More Than an Optical Element
A camera-specific filter has to satisfy optical and mechanical requirements at the same time.
Optical Thickness
Adding glass or crystal within the image path can change optical path length and therefore influence focus behavior.
Mechanical Fit
The element must fit within the camera body while maintaining appropriate clearance, positioning, and repeatability.
Cleanliness
Components close to the image sensor require careful handling because dust or contamination may become visible in recorded images.
Camera Compatibility
A product designed for one camera geometry should not be assumed to fit or perform correctly in another camera body.
INSTALLATION
Use the Camera-Specific Procedure
Sensor-proximate optical components require careful installation because the filter operates inside the camera's imaging path.
Historical installation instructions should only be used with the specific camera and Mosaic filter for which they were written.
Because these products are discontinued, archived procedures are retained for reference and existing owners rather than as instructions to modify unsupported camera models.
RELATED ARCHIVE
Blackmagic Technical Information
INSTALLATION
MFT Camera Installation
Historical installation guidance for compatible Micro Four Thirds Blackmagic camera systems.
View Installation →PRODUCT DETAIL
VAF/IR-BMD-MFT
Historical product information for Mosaic's combined optical anti-aliasing and infrared-control filter.
View Product Archive →DOCUMENTATION
Legacy Documentation
Archived manuals, installation information, and technical references for discontinued Mosaic products.
Browse Documentation →TECHNICAL BACKGROUND
Want to Understand the Optical Principles?
The Technical Questions & Answers section explains the sampling, optical-filtering, birefringence, polarization, and camera-integration concepts behind the historical products.
CURRENT OPTICAL BUSINESS
Looking for a Current Optical Anti-Aliasing Solution?
Current optical design, precision manufacturing, custom filters, crystal optics, and application-specific optical assemblies are handled through Mosaic Optoelectronics.
LOOKING FOR CURRENT OPTICAL PRODUCTS?
Continue With Mosaic Optoelectronics
This page is retained as part of the Mosaic Engineering historical archive. Current optical anti-aliasing, polarization, crystal-optics, and custom optical inquiries are handled by Mosaic Optoelectronics.