B+W

B+W 1102678 - 49mm Basic Black & White (Light Red) Filter

4.8 (10 reviews)

B+W's MRC-coated light red filter in optical glass enhances cloud contrast and creates dramatic tonal effects in black and white photography.

$58.87*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 14, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The B+W 49mm Basic Black & White Light Red MRC 090M filter is a purpose-built tool for photographers who shoot in black and white and want greater control over tonal rendition in their images. The light red filtration absorbs blue and green wavelengths, causing blue skies to render darker and clouds to stand out with more definition, while warm tones like skin and red objects appear lighter. This creates a naturally dramatic look that falls between the subtlety of an orange filter and the intensity of a deep red, making it a versatile middle-ground choice for landscape, architectural, and portrait work in monochrome.

Built with B+W's optical glass and a brass filter ring, the 090M is designed for long-term reliability. The black knurled mount provides a tactile grip surface that makes handling easier compared to smooth-edged filter rings, and the MRC (Multi-Resistant Coating) reduces internal reflections that can degrade contrast and introduce ghosting. B+W has also included a QR code for authenticity verification, addressing the prevalence of counterfeit filters in the market. At 49mm, this filter fits compact prime lenses and smaller-bodied lens designs, and its compatibility down to 24mm on full frame ensures clean results without corner vignetting on moderately wide focal lengths.

Key Features

Black Knurled Filter Mount for Better Grip

MRC Coating to Control Flare & Ghosting

New QR Code included to Verify Authenticity

Good for down to 24mm Full Frame Format

ECO-Friendly Packaging

Specifications

Filter Size
49mm
Filter Color
Light Red
Filter Type
Black & White Contrast
Coating
MRC (Multi-Resistant Coating)
Glass Material
Optical Glass
Mount Material
Brass
Mount Style
Black Knurled
Minimum Focal Length
24mm (Full Frame)
Packaging
Eco-Friendly

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Optical glass and brass mount construction ensure durability and consistent optical quality
  • Optical glass and brass construction provide superior durability and optical clarity over resin alternatives
  • MRC coating effectively controls flare and ghosting for cleaner monochrome exposures
  • MRC coating effectively controls flare and ghosting for cleaner black and white images
  • Black knurled filter mount provides a secure, easy-to-grip surface for mounting and removal
  • Black knurled mount offers a secure, easy-to-grip surface for threading onto lenses
  • Compatible down to 24mm on full frame without vignetting
  • Creates striking cloud contrast and moonlight effects specific to black and white work
  • Includes QR code for authenticity verification against counterfeits
  • Includes authenticity QR code for product verification

👎 Cons

  • Only useful for black and white photography, making it a niche, single-purpose filter
  • Useful only for black and white photography, making it a niche purchase for most photographers
  • 49mm thread size limits its use to smaller-diameter lenses without a step-up ring
  • 49mm size limits compatibility to smaller-diameter lenses
  • Light red effect is more subtle than a full red filter, which may not be dramatic enough for some tastes
  • The light red effect is less dramatic than a deep red filter, which may not satisfy photographers seeking extreme contrast
  • Adds an extra step to the workflow since the strong color cast makes LCD preview unreliable for composition
  • Requires understanding of black and white tonal relationships to use effectively
  • No included case or pouch for storage and transport

Frequently Asked Questions

The light red (090M) filter darkens blue skies dramatically, makes white clouds stand out boldly, and can create a moonlight-like effect in daylight scenes by altering gray tone reproduction in black and white images.
The light red filter darkens blue skies and green foliage while lightening red and orange tones, creating stronger contrast between clouds and sky and adding dramatic tonal separation to monochrome images.
MRC stands for Multi-Resistant Coating, a multi-layer coating applied by B+W that reduces flare and ghosting while also providing some resistance to dust and moisture on the filter surface.
While physically possible, the light red filter adds a strong red color cast to images, making it impractical for standard color work. It is specifically designed for black and white photography or creative color effects.
MRC (Multi-Resistant Coating) reduces flare and ghosting by minimizing internal reflections, and it also provides some resistance to dust, moisture, and fingerprints on the filter surfaces.
B+W rates this filter as compatible down to 24mm on full-frame format, so it should work without vignetting on lenses 24mm and wider on full-frame or equivalent crop-sensor lenses.
The black knurled mount is a brass filter ring with a textured grip surface, making it easier to thread the filter on and off your lens, especially in cold or wet conditions.
B+W rates this filter as compatible down to 24mm on a full-frame camera without causing vignetting in the corners of the image.
The filter includes an authenticity QR code that you can scan to confirm it is a genuine B+W product, helping to avoid counterfeits.
Each filter includes a QR code that you can scan to verify its authenticity through B+W's verification system.