Have you ever felt like your black and white photos were just falling flat? Lacking that punch, that dramatic contrast that truly makes an image sing? I certainly did. I spent ages trying to achieve a certain look in post-processing, but it never quite felt right. It became clear that relying solely on editing wasn’t the answer, especially for capturing stunning landscapes or powerful portraits. Finding a way to solve this problem at the point of capture was essential; otherwise, I’d forever be chasing a look that remained just out of reach.
- Medium-red filter
- Darkens blue sky, creating dramatic contrast with clouds
- 52 millimeters in diameter
Essential Considerations Before Investing in a Camera Filter
Camera filters, particularly those designed for black and white photography, serve the crucial purpose of altering how different colours in a scene are rendered into shades of grey. They are sought after by photographers looking to control contrast and tonal separation directly in-camera, rather than relying solely on post-processing software. The ideal customer for a filter like a red filter is typically someone shooting black and white film, where the filter’s effect is permanent and fundamental to the final image, or a digital photographer who prefers to capture as much of the intended look as possible in-camera. Someone who only ever shoots in colour or relies exclusively on digital editing for B&W conversions might not need a physical filter; digital tools can simulate many filter effects. Before buying, consider the type of filter you need (colour contrast, neutral density, polarizing, etc.), the filter size required for your lens (measured in millimeters), the filter factor (how much light it blocks, affecting exposure), the quality of the glass or material, and the build quality of the filter ring.
- 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 Tiffen 52mm 25 Filter (Red)
The Tiffen 52mm 25 Filter (Red) is a dedicated filter specifically designed to dramatically enhance contrast in black and white photography. Its primary promise is to transform ordinary scenes into striking monochrome images with dark skies and pronounced separation between different elements. When you purchase it, you typically receive the filter itself, mounted within a plastic ring, often in a protective case. Compared to some market leaders like B+W, Tiffen filters are often positioned as a more budget-friendly option while still aiming for good optical quality using their ColorCore technology. This particular #25 red filter is ideal for photographers who shoot B&W (film or digital) and want a strong, tangible effect on contrast and tonality right when they press the shutter. It might not be the best choice for someone looking for subtle changes or who primarily shoots colour video (as its red cast is overwhelming for colour footage).
Here’s a quick look at its pros and cons:
Pros:
* Significantly enhances contrast in B&W
* Dramatically darkens blue skies for impactful cloud formations
* Excellent for creating separation between green foliage and other elements
* Relatively affordable compared to some high-end competitors
* Can produce unique effects with infrared film
Cons:
* Requires significant exposure compensation (3 stops)
* Not suitable for colour photography or video
* Some reports of quality control issues (e.g., internal defects)
* Plastic filter ring may not be as durable as metal
Exploring the Capabilities and Benefits
Having used the Tiffen 52mm 25 Filter (Red) for a considerable time now, I can attest to its effectiveness and quirks. It’s become a standard part of my kit whenever I’m planning a black and white shoot. The impact it has on an image is profound and often exactly what I’m looking for.
The Power of the Medium-Red Filter
The “25” in its name refers to the filter’s density and colour transmission properties. A #25 filter is a medium-red filter, meaning it absorbs a significant amount of blue and green light while allowing red light to pass through. In black and white photography, colours are translated into different shades of grey based on how much light from that colour passes through the filter and hits the sensor or film. By blocking blues and greens, the filter renders objects of those colours much darker in the final monochrome image. This fundamental principle is what drives all the dramatic effects this contrast filter provides. It’s not a subtle effect; it’s a transformative one.
Achieving Dramatic Skies
One of the most popular reasons to use a red filter is for its effect on blue skies. A blue sky, especially a clear one, often translates into a light or medium grey tone in black and white without a filter. This can look dull and lifeless. The Tiffen red filter absorbs the blue light, making the sky appear much darker, sometimes almost black, in the final image. Any clouds present, being white (reflecting all colours), remain bright white. The contrast between the now-dark sky and the bright clouds is simply stunning, adding a sense of drama and mood that’s very difficult to replicate convincingly in editing, particularly with film. This feature alone makes the filter invaluable for landscape photographers wanting to emphasize stormy skies or create a moody atmosphere.
Enhancing Overall Contrast
Beyond just skies, the Tiffen 52mm 25 Filter (Red) increases overall contrast in a scene by increasing the separation between different colour tones. For instance, green foliage, which can sometimes blend into surrounding elements in a straight B&W conversion, becomes much darker when viewed through the red filter. This darker rendering contrasts sharply with brighter elements like flowers (especially red or yellow ones) or sunlit rocks. The result is an image with greater tonal separation and punch, making elements stand out from each other more effectively. This enhanced contrast brings a certain vibrancy and clarity to monochrome images that would otherwise require heavy post-processing work.
Essential for Black and White Photography
While digital photographers can simulate filter effects, using a physical filter like the red filter is often preferred for several reasons. For film photographers, it’s the standard way to control contrast as the effect is baked into the negative. For digital users, applying the filter during capture means the camera’s sensor is recording data that already reflects the desired tonal relationships. This can result in a more natural-looking conversion and gives you more flexibility in post-processing to fine-tune the already strong contrast. It pushes you to visualize the scene in monochrome and anticipate the filter’s effect before you even take the shot, which I find improves my photographic eye.
Understanding the Filter Factor and Exposure
Using a coloured filter like the #25 red means a significant amount of light is being absorbed before it reaches the sensor or film. This filter has a filter factor of 8. What this means in practical terms is that you need to increase your exposure by 3 stops (since 2^3 = 8) to compensate for the light loss and achieve a correct exposure. For example, if your meter suggests an exposure of 1/125th second at f/8 without the filter, you would need to change it to 1/15th second at f/8 (reducing the shutter speed by three stops: 1/125 -> 1/60 -> 1/30 -> 1/15) or adjust the aperture or ISO accordingly. This might seem like a disadvantage, but it can also be a benefit. The need for a longer exposure can be creatively exploited, for example, when photographing moving water like waterfalls, allowing you to capture that silky smooth effect without needing a separate neutral density filter.
Compatibility and Build
The Tiffen 52mm filter is designed to screw onto any lens that has a 52mm filter thread. This is a common size, making it compatible with a wide range of lenses, from primes to zooms, from various manufacturers. It’s important to check your lens’s specifications for its filter thread size before purchasing. The filter ring itself is made of plastic, which helps keep the cost down compared to filters with brass rings. While it feels reasonably sturdy, care should always be taken when screwing filters on and off, as plastic threads can potentially be damaged more easily than metal ones. The glass element itself is where Tiffen applies its ColorCore technology, laminating the filter material between two pieces of optical glass, aiming for optical clarity.
Effects with Infrared Film
For those adventurous photographers still shooting film, the #25 red filter is a fantastic companion for infrared-sensitive films, such as Kodak HIE or Ilford SFX 200. While a much darker red or even a near-infrared filter is needed for the extreme “Wood Effect” (bright white foliage, near-black skies), a #25 red filter enhances the infrared effect present in these films without going to the extreme. It pushes the contrast further, darkening skies and increasing the unique glow of skin tones and the slightly lighter rendering of foliage that IR film provides. It creates an interesting, slightly otherworldly look that isn’t as intense as using dedicated IR filters but is still distinct and visually appealing.
Limitations and Quality Considerations
While largely effective, it’s important to acknowledge potential drawbacks. The most significant hurdle is the need for a 3-stop exposure increase; forgetting this will result in severely underexposed images. While I’ve generally had good experiences, it’s worth noting the report of a potential quality control issue with internal defects. My own filters have been free of such issues, but it suggests it’s something to check upon receiving the product. Also, as mentioned earlier, this is strictly for monochrome; attempting to use this Tiffen 52mm 25 Filter (Red) for colour photography or, as one user found, underwater colour correction for video (like with a GoPro) will result in images or footage that is overwhelmingly red and unusable for those purposes.
What Others Are Saying
Looking around online, it’s clear many photographers appreciate this red contrast filter. Users frequently praise its effectiveness in creating dramatic contrast and darkening blue skies for black and white work. Many highlight its value, finding it a much more affordable option than some premium brands while delivering comparable results optically. Some photographers specifically mention using it with infrared film for unique effects or leveraging the exposure reduction to achieve slower shutter speeds for creative blur. While the positive feedback is widespread, there are occasional comments about the filter ring material or isolated reports of manufacturing defects, though these seem less common than the praise for its performance and price point.
Final Thoughts on Enhancing Your Monochrome Photography
If you’ve been struggling to get truly impactful and dramatic black and white photos, especially with striking skies and great tonal separation, the problem likely lies in not controlling the light at the source. Without the right tools, you’re left trying to salvage contrast in editing, which often falls short of the look achievable in-camera. The Tiffen 52mm 25 Filter (Red) offers a powerful and effective solution. Its ability to dramatically darken blues and greens fundamentally changes the tonal relationships in your monochrome images, adding depth and intensity. It’s a fantastic fit because it’s purpose-built for this exact task, is relatively accessible in terms of cost, and delivers a strong, desirable effect for B&W enthusiasts. To learn more and see if this filter is the right addition to your photography gear, Click here to check it out.
Last update on 2025-07-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API