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Tiffen 49mm Black Diffusion/FX 1/2 Filter

BH #TIBDFXH49 • MFR #49BDFX12
9 reviews
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Tiffen 49mm Black Diffusion/FX 1/2 Filter
Key Features
  • Diffusion Filter Creates Glow Effect
  • Softens Skin and Blemishes
  • Slight Reduction in Contrast
  • ColorCore Technology
The Tiffen 49mm Black Diffusion/FX 1/2 Filter diffuses strong light entering the lens and produces a glowing effect. While the resulting image appears softer and ethereal, there is little loss of clarity or detail. This filter works by diffusing the light entering the lens with small aberrations; by spreading the light more evenly, a soft glow is created rather than the sharp, well-defined image when shooting without a filter. This filter has a 1/2 density, providing a very small amount of softening.
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Tiffen Black Diffusion FX Overview

The Tiffen 49mm Black Diffusion/FX 1/2 Filter diffuses strong light entering the lens and produces a glowing effect. While the resulting image appears softer and ethereal, there is little loss of clarity or detail. This filter works by diffusing the light entering the lens with small aberrations; by spreading the light more evenly, a soft glow is created rather than the sharp, well-defined image when shooting without a filter. This filter has a 1/2 density, providing a very small amount of softening.

Tiffen filters are made using ColorCore technology, a process that involves laminating the filter substrate between 2 pieces of optical glass, grinding flat to a tolerance of 1/10,000th of an inch, and then mounting to precision metal rings.

Diffuser filter provides an ethereal quality to photographs, resulting in a dream-like atmosphere.
Soft image quality does not detract from the overall detail of the image.
Light entering the lens is diffused by small aberrations, creating a soft glow rather than the sharp, well-defined image when shooting without a filter.
UPC: 884613037468

Tiffen Black Diffusion FX Specs

Filter Type
Black Diffusion (Grade 1/2)
Exposure Reduction
1.7-Stop
Size
49 mm Rear Filter Thread
Front Accessory Thread / Bayonet
49 mm
Coating
No
Filter Material
Glass
Ring Material
Aluminum

Tiffen Black Diffusion FX Reviews

Great Filter for Portraits

By Kevin McGovern
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-02-23

Most photographers use at least one diffusion filter for portraits, whether a professional whose clients need to look great, or the rest of us who want to flatter Granny at her 90th birthday celebration party. I have kids with iffy complexions in their adolescence and didn’t want to rely too heavily on Photoshop for the fix. For use on my Quattro DP2, this filter does a fine job of holding small details like eyelashes, yet blends blemishes well. (One caveat: a large blackhead or dark pimple may be accentuated, depending on circumstances, so a white diffusion filter or dab of concealer could be needed.) Since the eyes and lashes/eyebrows hold their detail portraits can be very flattering with this Tiffen product. It looks odd by itself as it appears to be glass with a pattern of little black marks all over it, where I more or less expected some type of black screen or grid. Not being an optical engineer and as well as the filter works, I chalk it up to FM. Also, I prefer to use Tiffen products in general as they have always be good quality, competitively priced, and made in the good ol’ U. S. of A.; what’s not to like?

Great way to smooth ugly details for portraits or video

By Sebastian
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-08-26

If you're looking at this filter you likely already know what it is for, and sure enough it does exactly what Tiffen say. Optical resolution drops down but contrast loss and halation are kept to an absolute minimum. Strangely, if you look at Tiffen's triangle of diffusion diagram you'll see they put this filter halfway between resolution reduction and halation, implying you will get some soft highlight spreading. You absolutely do not and I don't know why that particular diagram suggests it when all their text and videos say it doesn't cause halation and, as I said, in use it certainly does not. Allegedly on wide-angle shots or when using very small apertures you may see the black dots in the image. I can't say I've noticed this myself, but I only use this for shoulder-up shots, typically 50mm, often at fairly wide apertures, so I'm not in that 'danger zone'. If you want to shot wide and stopped down, maybe take caution and check out the Digital Diffusion/FX instead, which is meant to cause the same resolution drop without the black dots getting in the way. I've had some limited experience with some Tiffen filters having poorly-cut threads, but otherwise the construction quality has been fine. Can't guarantee you'll get a faultless one but the fault rate, in my experience, has at least been very low – about one out of twenty filters having an issue, and even then, not one severe enough to stop the filter from mounting and functioning.

See any errors on this page?

Is it possible to screw another filter onto the ...

Is it possible to screw another filter onto the front?
Asked by: Paulo Cezar
The Tiffen 67mm Black Diffusion/FX 1/2 Filter has 67mm front filter threads, so any filter with 67mm threads can be stacked.
Answered by: Michael S
Date published: 2024-08-02

Does this filter contaminates the bokeh balls ...

Does this filter contaminates the bokeh balls with black spots or something else related to the diffusion filter?
Asked by: José Andrés
You will see black dots on highlights when you are shooting at a deep F-Stop. If you're shooting at a shallow DOF you wont see any of the dots.
Answered by: Mattia
Date published: 2022-12-30

question

Will this Tiffen 4mm filter fit in a Lee Filters 100mm holder if I get the optional 4mm spacers? 4 inches is slightly longer than 100mm.
Asked by: Guillaume
Yes this Tiffen filter will fit a Lee Foundation Holder which is outfitted with the LEE Filters Side Guides for 4mm Thick Filters B&H # LESG4.
Answered by: Kirk R.
Date published: 2018-08-27

Is this the same as the Tiffen Black Promist ...

Is this the same as the Tiffen Black Promist filters?
Asked by: Zachary
No, this is not a Black Pro Mist filter. If you are looking for 95mm Black Pro Mist please visit the link below: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=tiffen%20black%20pro%20mist%2095mm&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma
Answered by: Tiffen Technical Support
Date published: 2020-11-03
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