Schneider-Kreuznach Nano Clear Filter Announced – Improved Color Neutrality, Broadband Anti-Reflection Coating

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by Alexandra ThompsonToday

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Schneider-Kreuznach has introduced Nano Clear, the next generation of its Clear protection filter for cinema lenses. A protection filter has one task beyond protecting the lens: to have as little effect on the image as possible. With a new broadband anti-reflection nano coating, Schneider-Kreuznach says Nano Clear reduces reflections and brings the filter’s color point very close to D65. The price is expected to remain the same as the Clear filter it replaces. The company announced Nano Clear on October 16, 2026, and showed it for the first time at CineVerse Roma at Cinecittà Studios.

Schneider-Kreuznach has a long history in cinema filters, and we have covered several of its products over the years. Nano Clear sits at the more straightforward end of their lineup, but for cinematographers who regularly work with protective filters, optical neutrality is the whole point. A clear filter protects the front element or other filters from dirt, moisture, and accidental damage. The tradeoff is that any additional glass in the optical path can introduce reflections, reduce contrast, or affect color. For a protection filter, the goal is therefore simple: protect the lens while changing the image as little as possible.

Available in two standard cinema filter sizes

The Schneider-Kreuznach Nano Clear is a 4mm thick glass plate in the two common matte box formats: 4 x 5.65in (101.6 x 143.5mm) and 6.6 x 6.6in (167.6 x 167.6mm). The 4mm thickness is unchanged from the existing Clear filter. The 4 x 5.65in version weighs 7.0oz (199.6g), and the 6.6 x 6.6in version weighs 13.3oz (376.5g).

Fewer reflections, same exposure

The main change is a new coating upgrade that Schneider-Kreuznach calls Broadband Anti-Reflection Nano Coating, which minimizes reflections and gives very neutral color reproduction with “virtually no visible color shift.” Resolution, contrast, and sharpness stay the same, and you don’t need to change any camera settings when the filter is in place.

How neutral is “neutral”?

Schneider-Kreuznach says that independent measurements place the Nano Clear very close to the D65 reference point. The Nano Clear fact sheet shows both the Nano Clear and previous Clear filter inside a MacAdam ellipse, which represents a range of chromaticity differences that are difficult for the human eye to distinguish. The Nano Clear point sits closer to D65 than the previous Clear filter, and on a multi-camera job where one camera carries a clear filter and another does not, even a small color shift can mean more work in the grade.

Easier to clean

The nano coating has one more function: it repels water. The surface also repels dust and dirt, so cleaning is faster in difficult conditions. For a protection filter, this is a practical improvement. Rain and spray are the conditions a clear filter is meant to handle, and water droplets that bead and run off are easier to deal with between takes than a film of water on the glass. Schneider-Kreuznach lists the key features as follows:

• Protection for lenses and filter systems
• Improved color neutrality with virtually no color shift
• Broadband anti-reflection nano coating
• Water-repellent surface for easy cleaning
• No loss of resolution, contrast, and sharpness
• No camera setting changes necessary

Price and availability

Schneider-Kreuznach says the Nano Clear is priced the same as the Clear filter it replaces. For reference, B&H sells the current Schneider Clear filter for $253.80 in 4 x 5.65in and $405 in 6.6 x 6.6in. Shipping is expected to start at the end of November 2026. For more information, visit the Schneider-Kreuznach website.

Do you keep a clear filter on your lenses all the time, or only when the conditions are rough? Let us know in the comments below!