There was a time when my photography felt a bit… flat. I was capturing scenes, but they lacked a certain mood or impact, especially when dealing with atmospheric conditions or trying to achieve specific colour palettes. Finding the right tool to inject that creative flair became essential, otherwise, my images would remain merely records of reality rather than artistic interpretations. A good colour filter, like the Tiffen 55mm 47 Filter (Blue), would have been invaluable in solving that problem early on.
- Dark-blue filter
- Accentuates haze and fog
- Used for dye transfer and contrast effect
What to Think About Before Getting This Type of Product
Camera filters serve various purposes, from protecting your lens to controlling light or altering colour and contrast. You’d seek a filter in this category if you want to manipulate the light entering your camera creatively, rather than just capturing what the eye sees. The ideal customer for a specific colour filter like this is someone who understands the basics of photography and is looking to expand their creative toolkit, perhaps exploring black and white conversions, dramatic landscape effects, or artistic colour shifts. If you’re just starting out or primarily shoot in auto mode and prefer minimal post-processing, a specialized filter like this might not be your first purchase; a basic UV filter for protection or a polariser for managing reflections might be more practical initially. Before investing in a colour filter, consider what specific effect you want to achieve, the thread size of your lenses (this Tiffen 55mm 47 Filter (Blue) is 55mm, but you might need different sizes or step-up/down rings), the quality of the glass, and the type of coating. Also, research how the particular colour affects different scenes and light conditions.
- Includes #6, #13, & #25 Contrast Filters
- 【58mm Color Filter Kit】 This kit includes 9 pieces 58mm color filters (red, orange, blue, yellow, green, brown, purple, pink, and gray filter), 2 filter pouches, and a cleaning cloth
Introducing the Product Itself
The Tiffen 55mm 47 Filter (Blue) is a dark-blue photographic filter designed to fit lenses with a 55mm filter thread. It’s crafted from glass with a multi-coating, intended to provide specific colour correction and special effects for photographers looking to manipulate the mood and look of their images in-camera. This particular filter is known for its ability to accentuate haze and fog, and is also used creatively for techniques like dye transfer and achieving unique contrast effects, especially in black and white photography where blue filters darken blue tones (like skies) and lighten yellow/orange tones (like skin or foliage). It’s a tool for those who want to move beyond standard capture and imbue their photographs with a distinct feel. While Tiffen makes a range of filters, the #47 is a specific deep blue, different from lighter blues (like #80A, #80B, #80C used for converting daylight film for tungsten light) or other colour filters designed for different effects. It’s not a general-purpose filter but a specialized creative one.
Here are some pros and cons based on typical use and user feedback:
Pros:
* Effective for creating specific atmospheric and contrast effects.
* Can dramatically alter the mood of a scene.
* Useful for black and white conversions, enhancing sky contrast.
* Provides unique colour shifts in full-spectrum photography.
* Relatively affordable compared to high-end filter brands.
Cons:
* Very specific use case; not versatile for everyday shooting.
* Requires exposure compensation, potentially increasing noise in low light.
* Can cause significant colour casts unsuitable for certain subjects (e.g., portraits).
* Potential for quality control issues (dust, smudges) upon arrival, based on some user feedback.
* Requires careful handling as it’s not water resistant.
Exploring What the Product Does and Why It Matters
Using specialized filters like the Tiffen 55mm 47 Filter (Blue) opens up a whole new dimension in photography, allowing for creative control directly at the point of capture. It’s not just about protecting your lens, though that’s a side benefit of adding any glass element; it’s about deliberately influencing the image before it ever hits the sensor or film.
One of the primary functions of this particular filter is its effect as a dark-blue filter. This isn’t just a subtle tint; it’s a deep, saturated blue that profoundly impacts the colour balance of your scene. When shooting standard colour photography, it will, of course, cast a strong blue tone over everything. This can be used for dramatic effect, perhaps suggesting a cold, moonlit, or otherworldly atmosphere even when shot in daylight. The intensity of the blue can be quite striking, giving images a monochromatic feel with a dominant blue hue. Why is this important? Because sometimes, you want to break away from realistic colour. You want to create a specific mood that colour correction in post-processing might not fully replicate, or you prefer to achieve as much of your look in-camera as possible. This filter forces you to think differently about colour and light.
Beyond just applying a blue wash, the Tiffen 55mm 47 Filter (Blue) is specifically noted for its ability to accentuate haze and fog. This is a fantastic feature for landscape photographers. Haze and fog often reduce contrast and saturation, making distant elements look washed out. A blue filter, by affecting how different wavelengths of light are captured, can sometimes cut through or, paradoxically, enhance the visual impact of these atmospheric conditions. In the case of the #47 blue, it deepens blue tones and can create a sense of depth by altering the relationship between cool and warm colours affected by the haze. This feature is crucial because it allows you to make the most of potentially challenging weather conditions, turning what might otherwise be discarded shots into moody, atmospheric masterpieces. Instead of waiting for a perfectly clear day, you can use the filter to make the fog or haze a central, dramatic element of your composition.
The filter is also described as being used for dye transfer and contrast effect. In traditional photography, filters were essential for manipulating contrast, especially when shooting black and white. A blue filter, when used for black and white conversion, will absorb red and green light more than blue light. This means that in the final black and white image, areas that were originally blue (like the sky or water) will appear much darker, while areas that were originally yellow, orange, or red (like foliage, skin tones, or brickwork) will appear lighter. The #47 blue filter is a very strong blue filter, leading to dramatic contrast effects in black and white – very dark skies and very light warm-toned objects. This specific contrast manipulation is powerful for creating striking, graphic images. For example, turning a bright blue sky almost black makes clouds pop dramatically. Using this filter for black and white photography provides a specific, powerful contrast look that differs significantly from using red, orange, or yellow filters. It’s an important tool for photographers who want precise control over the tonal rendering of their black and white images, especially when dealing with scenes containing both blue skies and warmer elements.
The 55mm diameter is a practical feature, indicating the lens thread size the filter is designed to screw onto. Filter size is purely functional; it needs to match your lens or be adapted using step-up or step-down rings. For anyone with a 55mm lens, this filter fits directly, which is convenient. If you have lenses with different filter sizes, you’ll either need multiple filters or adapter rings, which can add bulk and potentially introduce vignetting on wider lenses. The popularity of 55mm makes this a useful size for many photographers, particularly those using certain prime lenses or older standard zooms. Ensuring the correct size is a fundamental step before purchasing any filter, including the Tiffen 55mm 47 Filter (Blue).
Constructed from glass, the filter promises optical clarity. Glass filters are generally preferred over resin filters for their durability and resistance to scratching, although they can break if dropped. The quality of the glass and the precision of its manufacturing are crucial for ensuring the filter doesn’t degrade the image quality captured by your lens. A poor-quality filter, regardless of its intended effect, can introduce unwanted softness, aberrations, or reflections. The use of glass suggests Tiffen aims for a certain standard of optical performance.
The presence of a Multi Coating is also a significant feature. Coatings on filters are applied to both surfaces to reduce reflections and flare. Without proper coating, adding a filter to your lens can increase the likelihood of internal reflections between the filter surface and the front element of your lens, leading to reduced contrast or visible flare spots, especially when shooting towards light sources. Multi-coated filters perform better at minimizing these issues compared to single-coated or uncoated filters. For a filter that introduces such a strong colour cast, managing internal reflections is important to maintain image clarity and prevent unwanted artifacts. This multi-coating helps preserve the overall image quality despite the dramatic colour shift the Tiffen 55mm 47 Filter (Blue) creates.
Finally, the description notes its Color Correcting / Special Effect filter type. While “Color Correcting” often refers to filters used to balance colour temperature (like correcting indoor tungsten light), in this context, it’s grouped with “Special Effect” to signify its deliberate alteration of colour for creative purposes rather than accuracy. This filter isn’t about making colours true-to-life; it’s about making them interesting and different. The “Special Effect” designation accurately captures the creative, non-standard results you can achieve with this deep blue filter. It’s a tool for artistic expression, transforming ordinary scenes into something visually distinct, whether through dramatic black and white contrast or striking blue-toned colour images.
One potential downside to consider with a filter this dark is the exposure compensation required. Adding any filter, especially a dense one, reduces the amount of light reaching the sensor. A dark blue filter will require you to increase your exposure (either by using a slower shutter speed, wider aperture, or higher ISO). This can be challenging in low light conditions or when trying to freeze motion. While it’s inherent to using a filter that absorbs a lot of light, it’s a practical consideration that affects shooting parameters and potentially introduces noise if a high ISO is necessary.
Another aspect to be mindful of, as indicated by user reviews, is the potential for manufacturing or packaging inconsistencies. While the filter itself might be optically sound, reports of receiving filters with dust or smudges, or in damaged packaging, suggest that checking the filter carefully upon arrival is wise. This isn’t a feature of the filter’s performance but a point about the purchase experience that users have noted.
Despite these potential issues, the Tiffen 55mm 47 Filter (Blue) remains a powerful creative tool for photographers interested in exploring strong colour effects, enhancing atmospheric conditions, or achieving specific, dramatic black and white conversions. Its specific capabilities make it a unique filter to have in your kit, offering possibilities that simply adjusting colours in software might not fully replicate or would require more effort to achieve.
What Other Users Are Saying (Reviews)
Looking at feedback from photographers who have used this filter, there’s a general appreciation for its effectiveness in achieving the described effects. Some users noted receiving the item with signs of handling, such as dust or smudges, or in less-than-perfect packaging, leading to slight disappointment about the item’s perceived newness, although the filter glass itself seemed in good shape and performed as expected. One user highlighted its excellent performance with a full-spectrum camera, producing vibrant blue skies and turning foliage a beautiful golden yellow, creating a distinct, almost surreal landscape aesthetic. However, they also cautioned that it’s not ideal for portraits due to the unflattering yellow cast it imparts on skin tones, but found this useful for blending people into dramatic landscape shots. The consensus leans towards satisfaction with the filter’s optical performance and the unique creative effects it provides, while suggesting that buyers should inspect the filter upon receipt.
Final Thoughts and Recommendation
If you’ve struggled to add a distinctive mood or dramatic contrast to your photographs, especially in landscape or creative black and white work, it’s a problem that needs solving to elevate your images beyond mere snapshots. The Tiffen 55mm 47 Filter (Blue) is a great fit because it offers precise control over blue tones and their relationship with other colours, effectively handles haze and fog for atmospheric shots, and provides powerful contrast for black and white conversions. For its specific capabilities and relative affordability, this Tiffen blue filter is a worthy addition to a creative photographer’s gear bag. To check out the product and see if it fits your needs, Click here.
Last update on 2025-07-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API