Abstract: Methine dyes comprising first and second nuclei joined by a double bond or a methine linkage. The first nuclei may be eitherA. a pyrido nucleus joined at the 4- or 6-carbon atom thereof to said double bond or methine linkage or,B. a 5,6-dihydropyrido nucleus joined at the 4- or 5-carbon atom to said double bond or methine linkage.The pyrido or dihydropyrido nucleus can have fused to its 1,2-side the atoms required to complete a ring containing 5 or 6 atoms. The second nuclei may be either the same as (a) or (b) or can be of the type typically used in cyanine styryl and merocyanine dyes. Such dyes are useful filter dyes and spectral sensitizers for silver halide compositions. Also described are intermediates useful in the synthesis of said dyes.