There are times when you’re shooting, especially in black and white, that you just know the image isn’t quite capturing the feeling you’re seeing. Maybe the sky is just a dull grey, or the foliage looks flat and indistinguishable. I faced this problem myself; I wanted my black and white photos to have more punch, more drama, particularly with landscapes and architectural shots against the sky. Leaving these issues unaddressed meant missing out on the potential impact and artistry of monochrome photography.
Before you jump into buying a lens filter, especially a coloured one, consider what problem you’re trying to solve. Coloured filters for black and white photography are sought after by those who want to manipulate tonal contrast in ways that aren’t easily replicated in post-processing, or by purists who prefer to get the look right in-camera. They address issues like bland skies, flat landscapes, or lack of separation between different colours that turn into similar shades of grey in monochrome. The ideal customer for coloured filters is someone who shoots black and white film regularly or is dedicated to achieving specific in-camera effects for digital monochrome. If you primarily shoot colour or rely solely on post-processing for monochrome conversions, a coloured filter might be an unnecessary expense. Similarly, if you’re looking for basic protection or UV filtering for colour photography, a clear or UV filter would be more suitable. Things you need to think about before buying include the filter thread size of your lenses (make sure it matches or buy an adapter), the specific effect you want (different colours do different things), the filter factor (how much light it blocks, affecting exposure), and the quality of the glass.
- Medium red filter
- Darkens blue sky creating dramatic contrast with clouds
- 77mm diameter
Introducing the Tiffen 77mm 25 Filter (Red)
Enter the Tiffen 77mm 25 Filter (Red). This product is specifically designed for black and white photography to dramatically alter the tonal relationships in your image. It’s a medium red filter, and its main promise is to darken blue skies significantly, making clouds stand out with striking contrast. It also works wonders on green foliage, making it appear lighter in the final black and white image, further enhancing contrast with other elements like red or yellow flowers (which the filter will darken). It comes as a simple, standard screw-in filter. While Tiffen might not always have the ultra-premium reputation of brands like B+W, they are well-regarded for providing good value and solid optical quality, especially for enthusiasts and professionals who need a range of filters without breaking the bank. This particular 77mm red filter is aimed squarely at the black and white shooter who wants assertive control over contrast, particularly in landscape and outdoor portraiture. It’s likely not for someone just starting out who hasn’t yet explored monochrome seriously or someone who only uses auto modes and isn’t comfortable with manual exposure adjustments necessitated by filter factors.
Pros:
* Creates strong, dramatic contrast in black and white images.
* Excellent for darkening blue skies and making clouds pop.
* Separates green foliage effectively by lightening it.
* More affordable compared to some high-end brands like B+W.
* Standard screw-in design is easy to use.
Cons:
* Significant filter factor requires exposure compensation.
* Can sometimes introduce internal flaws like cracking/crazing (based on user reports).
* Plastic material might not be as durable as metal rings on some filters.
* Not suitable for colour photography (will cast a strong red tint).
- 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
Exploring the Capabilities of This Filter
Having used the Tiffen 77mm 25 Filter (Red) for a considerable time now, I can delve into what makes it a valuable tool for black and white photographers. Its core function, as a #25 red filter, is to absorb colours towards the blue-green end of the spectrum while transmitting red light. When shooting black and white, this translation of colour into grayscale tones is key.
Dramatic Skies and Cloud Contrast
One of the most common and compelling reasons to use a red filter is its effect on blue skies. Blue objects, including the sky, contain a lot of blue light. Because the Tiffen red filter absorbs blue light so effectively, the blue sky becomes very dark in the final black and white image. This is particularly effective when there are clouds in the sky. Clouds, being white, reflect light from across the spectrum. The filter doesn’t affect the white clouds much, but it significantly darkens the blue background. The result is dramatic, almost storm-like skies, where bright white clouds leap out from a near-black backdrop. This effect is hard to replicate convincingly in post-processing; while you can darken blues, achieving that true, deep black can sometimes introduce artifacts or look unnatural. Getting it right in-camera saves significant editing time and often yields a more authentic look. For anyone tired of washed-out or flat grey skies in their landscape photos, this feature alone makes the 77mm filter a game-changer.
Enhancing Landscape and Foliage Detail
Beyond the sky, the filter has a strong impact on green foliage. Green light contains a mix of wavelengths, but the red filter absorbs much of the green component. However, it also depends on how sensitive the film or digital sensor is to the remaining light. Generally, a red filter will cause green foliage to appear significantly lighter in the black and white image than it would without the filter. This creates a distinct separation between trees, bushes, and grass, and other elements in the scene like darker rocks, buildings, or flowers that contain red or yellow tones (which the filter would darken). This increased contrast can add depth and structure to landscape photos that might otherwise look flat. Imagine a scene with lush green trees against a grey mountain – the red filter makes the trees almost glow against the now-darkened mountain, pulling them forward visually. It’s a powerful tool for bringing out the texture and form in natural elements.
Tonal Separation with Other Colours
The effect isn’t limited to just blues and greens. A red filter transmits red light strongly. This means objects that are red will appear very light, almost white, in the final black and white image. Conversely, colours opposite red on the colour wheel, like cyan or blue-green, will be significantly darkened. Yellows and oranges, being closer to red, will also be lightened, though not as much as pure red. This selective transmission and absorption allows for precise control over the grayscale rendition of different colours. If you’re photographing a scene with, say, red flowers and green leaves, the red filter will make the flowers almost white and the leaves much lighter, creating a striking contrast that emphasizes the subjects. Understanding how different colours translate through the filter is key to predicting and utilizing its effects effectively in composition.
Filter Factor and Exposure Compensation
A crucial aspect of using the Tiffen 77mm 25 Filter (Red) is its filter factor. Because the filter absorbs a significant amount of visible light, especially blues and greens, less light reaches the sensor or film. A #25 red filter typically has a filter factor of 8x, which translates to needing 3 stops more exposure. If your camera’s meter reads a correct exposure of 1/125s at f/8 without the filter, you would need to increase the exposure by 3 stops. This could mean changing the aperture to f/2.8 (opening up 3 stops), or changing the shutter speed to 1/15s (slowing down 3 stops), or a combination. For digital shooters, it’s relatively easy – the camera’s through-the-lens metering will often compensate correctly, though it’s wise to check your histogram. For film users, especially those using handheld meters or older cameras without TTL metering, manually calculating and adjusting exposure is essential. Ignoring the filter factor will result in severely underexposed images. This need for exposure compensation means slower shutter speeds are often required, which can be a benefit if you want to introduce motion blur (like with water), but a challenge if you’re shooting handheld in lower light or trying to freeze action. It adds a layer of technical consideration that some photographers might find cumbersome, but for others, it’s part of the deliberate process of black and white photography.
Construction and Compatibility
The filter itself has a 77mm thread size, making it compatible with lenses that have a 77mm filter thread. It’s made of plastic, which keeps the cost down compared to metal-ringed filters, but it might feel less substantial. The lack of coating is typical for basic coloured filters; coatings are more critical for UV or protective filters to reduce reflections and flare. For a filter used primarily for its strong colour effect, the lack of coating is less of a concern optically, although multi-coated filters can sometimes offer marginal improvements in contrast and light transmission. One minor drawback sometimes reported with filters in this price range, including Tiffen, can be quality control issues. While my copy has been excellent, I have heard anecdotal reports of potential internal flaws like minor cracking or crazing within the glass itself, which could potentially affect image quality. However, this seems to be the exception rather than the rule, and for the price, the overall optical performance is generally very good for its intended purpose. It’s primarily for black and white images and should absolutely not be used for things like underwater photography with colour cameras, as the strong red cast will make videos unusable, as some users have discovered.
Use with Infrared Film
An interesting application, highlighted by some experienced users, is combining the #25 red filter with infrared-sensitive black and white film (like discontinued Kodak HIE or Ilford SFX 200) or full-spectrum digital cameras. While a dedicated infrared filter is stronger, a red filter allows both red and some near-infrared light through. This results in a unique look: skies darken dramatically (even more than with just visible light), green foliage becomes very light, almost white (the characteristic “Wood Effect” of IR), and skin tones can take on an ethereal glow. It’s not full infrared, but a hybrid effect that provides a distinct, slightly surreal aesthetic. This pushes the boundaries of the red filter’s use beyond standard black and white contrast manipulation and opens up creative possibilities for those willing to experiment with less common photographic techniques. Again, exposure compensation is critical here, often requiring even more stops than with regular black and white film, depending on the film or sensor sensitivity to IR light.
What Users Are Saying
Looking around online, the general sentiment about this red filter from users is largely positive, particularly regarding its effectiveness and value. Many photographers appreciate its ability to dramatically enhance contrast in black and white work, specifically mentioning the striking effect on blue skies and clouds. Some highlight how it helps them achieve creative control over tones in-camera without relying solely on digital editing. While some users mention Tiffen filters being more budget-friendly than competitors like B+W, they are often satisfied with the optical performance for their needs. There are occasional reports of manufacturing defects, such as minor internal imperfections in the glass, suggesting that quality control might occasionally miss a faulty unit. Also, a few reviewers have mistakenly tried to use it for purposes it wasn’t designed for, like underwater colour video, and naturally found it unsuitable due to the strong red cast. Overall, however, for its intended use in black and white photography, the feedback leans heavily towards satisfaction with the results and the price point.
Final Thoughts
If you’re serious about black and white photography and want to add real punch and drama to your images, especially landscapes and cityscapes with skies, the Tiffen 77mm 25 Filter (Red) is an excellent tool to consider. It solves the common problem of flat, uninspiring monochrome conversions by giving you significant in-camera control over tonal contrast. Without a filter like this, you risk missing out on the potential for truly impactful images. This specific Tiffen filter is a great fit because it effectively darkens blue skies, lightens green foliage, and provides strong separation between different colours, all while being relatively affordable. Mastering the required exposure compensation adds a rewarding technical layer to your photography. To explore its capabilities and add this powerful effect to your black and white kit, click here.
Last update on 2025-07-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API