Years ago, I found myself deeply frustrated with my black and white photography. No matter what I did, the skies often looked washed out, and landscapes lacked that dramatic punch you see in classic monochrome images. It was a problem that needed solving urgently; without that essential contrast, my photos felt flat and lifeless, failing to capture the mood and depth I envisioned. This deficiency was holding back my creative expression significantly.
Before investing in a camera filter, especially one intended for black and white photography, it’s important to consider the fundamental problems these tools address and whether one is right for your needs. Black and white filters manipulate the tonal relationships in a scene, primarily by absorbing certain colours and transmitting others, thereby altering the contrast between different elements like sky and clouds, foliage, or skin tones. Someone might seek such an item to achieve specific aesthetic effects in-camera that are difficult or impossible to replicate perfectly in post-processing, or simply because they prefer the tactile experience and deliberate workflow of using physical filters.
The ideal customer for a black and white contrast filter like this is a photographer who shoots monochrome, either on film or digitally, and desires greater control over in-camera contrast and tonal separation. They appreciate the traditional methods of photography and understand how different coloured filters impact their final image before it even hits the sensor or film.
Conversely, this type of filter might not be necessary for someone who exclusively shoots colour and relies entirely on digital editing software to convert their images to black and white and adjust contrast. While software can simulate filter effects, the look isn’t always identical, and some photographers prefer to get it right in-camera. Also, those shooting primarily in low light without a tripod might find the light loss from a strong filter challenging.
Things a buyer should consider include: the specific effect desired (different colours yield different results), the filter thread size of their lens (it must match!), the quality of the filter glass and ring, and the filter factor (how much light it blocks), as this affects exposure settings. Compatibility with other accessories like lens caps or hoods is also worth checking.
- Medium-red filter
- Darkens blue sky, creating dramatic contrast with clouds
- Primarily for black-and-white images
Introducing the Tiffen 55mm 25 Filter (Red)
Allow me to introduce a filter that became a cornerstone in my black and white kit: the Tiffen 55mm 25 Filter (Red). This is a classic medium-red contrast filter designed specifically to enhance monochrome images. It promises dramatic skies, enhanced clouds, and improved separation between elements like green foliage and flowers. When you purchase one, you typically receive the filter itself, usually in a protective case. Compared to market leaders like B+W, Tiffen generally offers a more budget-friendly option while still providing reputable quality, though some purists might argue for the optical superiority of higher-priced brands. Tiffen has a long history, so this Red 25 is part of a well-established line.
This specific filter is ideal for landscape photographers, architectural photographers, or anyone shooting outdoors in black and white who wants to add punch and drama to their skies and greenery. It’s also valuable for portrait photographers wanting to manipulate skin tones (making them appear lighter) or darken lips. It’s likely not the right choice for someone needing a subtle effect, shooting mainly indoors where contrast isn’t the primary concern, or primarily photographing subjects where red/green separation isn’t critical.
Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons based on my experience:
Pros:
* Creates very strong, dramatic contrast in black and white.
* Significantly darkens blue skies and makes clouds stand out.
* Enhances separation between foliage and other elements.
* Can be used creatively for unique effects with IR film.
* Generally more affordable than some high-end competitors.
Cons:
* Blocks a significant amount of light (approx. 3 stops), requiring exposure compensation.
* Not suitable for colour photography or unintended uses (like underwater).
* Adds another layer of glass that could potentially introduce flare or reduce sharpness if not clean/high quality (though I haven’t found this to be a major issue with Tiffen).
* Based on some feedback, there might be rare quality control issues (though my unit was fine).
* Can make focusing slightly more challenging in dimmer conditions due to light loss.
- 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
Features and Benefits in Detail
Having used the Tiffen 55mm 25 Filter (Red) extensively, I can attest to its transformative power in black and white photography. Let’s delve into its core features and the tangible benefits they bring to your images.
The Red Filter Effect: Manipulating Tones for Impact
At the heart of the Tiffen Red 25 filter is its ability to selectively filter light. Coloured filters for black and white photography work by absorbing light of their own colour and transmitting light of the opposite colour on the colour wheel (or colours nearby). A red filter absorbs blue and green light while transmitting red light. When this is used with black and white film or a digital sensor interpreting luminance, the areas corresponding to absorbed colours become darker, and areas corresponding to transmitted colours become lighter.
In practice, this means anything blue in your scene, most notably the sky, will be rendered significantly darker in the final black and white image. This is perhaps the most iconic effect of a red filter. A plain blue sky can turn almost black, creating a stark, dramatic background that makes white clouds pop with incredible contrast. It transforms an ordinary sunny day scene into something visually striking, adding mood and intensity that isn’t present in a standard black and white conversion without a filter. This darkening of the sky is a key reason many photographers reach for a red filter.
Dramatic Contrast Enhancement
Beyond just darkening blue skies, the Red 25 filter provides overall contrast enhancement, particularly beneficial in scenes with a wide range of colours that translate to similar grey tones in monochrome. Green foliage, for instance, which often appears as a medium grey without filtration, is noticeably darkened because the filter absorbs green light. This creates a greater separation between green leaves and brighter elements like flowers, bark, or paths, giving landscapes more depth and clarity.
The ’25’ in the filter’s name refers to its strength based on a historical numbering system (Wratten number 25). This indicates a medium-to-strong red filter. Stronger red filters (like a #29) would absorb even more green and blue, resulting in even more dramatic effects, while weaker filters (like orange or yellow) provide progressively less contrast boost. The Tiffen 25 Red strikes a good balance, offering a pronounced effect without being overly extreme for most situations, making it a versatile tool for adding significant contrast. It helps define textures and shapes that might otherwise get lost in the flat tones of a standard black and white conversion.
Managing Light Loss: Understanding the Filter Factor
One crucial characteristic of the Tiffen 55mm 25 Filter (Red) is its filter factor, which is approximately 8x, or 3 exposure stops. This means the filter blocks enough light that you need to increase your exposure by about three stops compared to shooting without the filter. For example, if your meter suggests 1/125th second at f/8 without the filter, you would need to expose at roughly 1/15th second at f/8 *with* the filter (doubling the exposure time three times: 1/125 -> 1/60 -> 1/30 -> 1/15).
While this might seem like a disadvantage, requiring manual exposure adjustments or relying on your camera’s through-the-lens (TTL) metering (which handles the compensation automatically on most modern cameras), it can also be a creative tool. The need for longer shutter speeds makes the red filter excellent for capturing motion blur in bright conditions, such as smoothing out water in waterfalls or rivers, or conveying movement in clouds. Instead of needing a dedicated neutral density filter, the light-blocking property of the red filter can serve a dual purpose, providing both contrast and a longer exposure time. If you’re shooting film without TTL metering, you’ll need to manually adjust your exposure based on the filter factor, which encourages a more deliberate, considered approach to metering.
Compatibility and Build Quality
The specific Tiffen 55mm 25 Filter (Red) is designed with a 55mm thread size. This is a common size for many lenses, but it’s absolutely essential to check the filter thread size of your lens before purchasing, as it must match exactly for the filter to screw on properly. Adapters are available to use a filter with a larger thread size on a lens with a smaller one, but this adds bulk and can potentially introduce vignetting (darkening of the corners) on wider lenses.
Regarding the material, the official description mentions “Plastic,” which is quite unusual for filter *glass*. User reviews and the typical construction of Tiffen filters suggest the optical element is indeed glass, housed within a plastic or metal ring. My experience with my Tiffen red filter is that the glass element is clear and free from obvious distortions or defects that would negatively impact image quality. The ring screws smoothly onto my compatible lenses. While not feeling as premium as solid brass rings found on some high-end filters, the Tiffen ring is functional and durable enough for regular use. It’s important to keep the filter clean, just like your lens elements, as dust, smudges, or scratches will degrade image quality.
Beyond Standard B&W: Exploring Creative Uses
While primarily intended for standard black and white photography, the Tiffen Red 25 can also be used creatively with infrared-sensitive film (like Kodak High-Speed Infrared or Ilford SFX 200). Infrared film responds to infrared light, which is beyond the visible spectrum, but it’s also sensitive to red light. Using a strong red filter like the Red 25 effectively blocks most visible light except red, thereby allowing more infrared light relative to visible light to reach the film. This produces images with the characteristic infrared look – very dark skies, bright or even white foliage (the “wood effect”), and unique skin tones. While a dedicated infrared filter (like a Hoya R72 or Tiffen IR 72) blocks *all* visible light below 720nm, yielding a purer, more extreme infrared effect, the Red 25 filter with IR film creates a softer, slightly less otherworldly but still distinct look that combines elements of both visible red and infrared light. Metering for infrared film requires experimentation, but the combination with the Tiffen 25 Red offers a fascinating avenue for creative expression.
It’s worth reiterating that this filter is not designed for colour photography, nor for specific applications like underwater filming with cameras like GoPros. Using it in colour will result in a heavily red cast that is generally undesirable, and as some users have found, it doesn’t replicate the underwater colour correction filters needed for specific depths. Its strength lies firmly in its application for traditional and creative black and white photography.
User Feedback Summary
Scanning through feedback from other photographers who have used this Tiffen filter confirms many of my own observations. Many users praise its effectiveness in boosting black and white contrast, particularly appreciating the dramatic sky effects it creates. The value proposition is often highlighted, with Tiffen being seen as a good balance of quality and price compared to more expensive brands. Some photographers mention using it successfully with specific lenses or even for creative purposes like infrared film. While most experiences are positive regarding optical performance and fit, there were a few isolated comments regarding potential manufacturing inconsistencies, though these seem rare. Generally, the sentiment is that this filter reliably delivers the expected strong red filter effect for black and white shooting.
Wrapping Things Up
If you’re struggling with flat, uninspiring black and white photos and yearn for that classic, dramatic contrast, particularly in your skies and landscapes, the Tiffen 55mm 25 Filter (Red) could be exactly what you need. This problem, if left unaddressed, limits the visual impact and mood you can convey in your monochrome work.
This specific filter is a great fit because it provides a strong, reliable contrast boost specifically designed for black and white, effectively darkening blues and greens. It’s a tool that helps you shape the light and tones in-camera, giving you more control over the final image from the moment you press the shutter. Moreover, it offers this significant creative control at a price point that makes it accessible for many photographers looking to elevate their black and white game.
To explore how this filter can transform your own photography and add that missing punch, click here to check it out further.
Last update on 2025-07-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API