A method for manufacturing an optical filter capable of manufacturing an optical filter in such a manner that the transmission wavelength varies linearly with respect to the angle &thgr; in the rotation direction of the substrate and that almost the entire range of the angle &thgr; is utilizable as the optical filter. A mask capable of being rotated relatively with respect to the substrate coaxially on a plane parallel to the substrate, which is either having an aperture extending along a radius direction with an aperture angle &phgr; or itself extending along a radius direction to cover an angle &phgr;, is provided over the substrate. Then, the mask is relatively rotated with respect to the substrate at least once at a non-constant angular speed during a formation of a single layer or multiple layers on the substrate, while depositing a dielectric material in a single layer or multiple layers on the substrate from the mask side within a deposition chamber.