Neutral density camera filter B+W 806 MASTER, 55 mm, Multi Resistant Coating (MRC)

B+W 806 MASTER 55 mm is a neutral density (ND) camera filter with Multi Resistant Coating (MRC) designed to reduce the amount of light entering the lens by six f-stops. The high-quality optical glass base and precision polishing preserve image sharpness and color neutrality while allowing much longer exposure times or the use of wider apertures without changing depth of field. The filter is supplied as a single-piece screw-in type for 55 mm lens threads and is appropriate for both analog and digital photography where controlled light reduction is required.

Advantages

The finely ground special glass ensures high optical quality without degrading the resolving power of professional lenses. Advanced thin-film coating technology provides a uniform neutral density across the visible spectrum, maintaining natural color balance. Each filter side is treated with a multi-layer anti-reflective coating (seven layers) to minimize reflections and ghosting. An outer dirt- and water-repellent layer simplifies cleaning and protects the filter surface from moisture and contaminants. Overall, the design supports reliable, color-neutral results for long exposures and creative aperture control.

Suitable for

• Long exposure landscape photography (smoothing water, cloud motion)
• Creating motion blur and wipe effects for creative imagery
• Portraits where wider apertures are required while keeping exposure balanced
• Urban photography to capture light trails and remove moving objects from scenes
• Bright light situations where shutter speed or aperture options are limited

Key specifications

• Filter type: neutral density (ND), six f-stop reduction
• Filter diameter: 55 mm (screw-in)
• Optical material: precision ground and polished special glass
• Coating: Multi Resistant Coating (MRC) with seven anti-reflective layers per side
• Surface finish: outer dirt- and water-repellent protective layer
• Effect on color: designed for neutral color balance across visible spectrum
• Suitable for: analog and digital camera systems

How to use

Mount the filter onto the lens using the 55 mm screw thread, ensuring threads are clean and free of debris. Compose and meter the scene normally, then calculate the exposure compensation for a six-stop reduction (for example, 1/60 s becomes approximately 1 s). Use a tripod for extended exposures to avoid camera shake. When working with moving subjects such as water or clouds, adjust exposure length to achieve the desired amount of motion blur. Check the histogram and review test frames to confirm color neutrality and exposure before final shooting.

Usage recommendations

Use with a sturdy tripod and a remote release or camera timer for the sharpest long-exposure results. Clean the filter with a soft brush and microfiber cloth; the outer repellent layer helps remove water droplets and fingerprints. For critical color work, shoot RAW and verify white balance in post-processing if necessary. Avoid stacking multiple dense filters to reduce vignetting and maintain optical performance.