The Tiffen Series 9 Soft Contrast 2 Filter is a contrast reduction filter that darkens highlights while maintaining the density of shadows within a scene. The effect of a light absorbing element within this filter is apparent in highlights without requiring a change in overall exposure. Details within bright areas are made more visible without a similar effect on dark areas. Tiffen Soft Contrast filters are available in grades numbering one through five. Each larger numbered grade corresponds to a stronger effect.

This filter is 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.

Contrast Reduction Filter    Darkens Highlights    Maintains Shadow Density    Increases Visible Details in Highlights    No Exposure Change Required    ColorCore Technology    Plastic Case

Darkens highlights within an image while maintaining shadow density.

Filter does not affect coloration of the image and does not require a change in exposure.

Plastic filter case for storage and transport.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Hello,I am looking to use this with my 18-55mm ED II Nikkor lens and I have never used a screw-on GND filter before, so will this attach easily and will it be easy to adjust the GND horizon line? I am reading some reviews that say it's difficult to locate which is top and bottom for this filter...I am looking to use it mainly for sunrise/sunset shots on the coast and in the mountains. Will this be a good choice? The price is what's attractive me the most here...Thank you for your feedback!

A: Attaching the Tiffen 52mm Graduated 0.6 ND Filter is as easy as screwing the filter onto the filter threads on the front of the lens. As the horizon line is built into the filter, it is not adjustable. You would have to frame your image to correspond with the horizon line on the filter. A graduated neutral density filter will have some effect for sunrise/sunset, especially when the sun is higher in the sky. However, when the sun is close to the horizon, a reverse graduated filter is usually recommended to better even out the brightness in the center of the frame from the sun as opposed to a standard graduated filter when the sun is higher in the sky.

Q: 2. Is it soft-edge graduated?

A: Yes.

Q: 3. I am not certain whether I should use a neutral density or polarizing filter for the photography I do.At present, I shoot a lot of landscape, nature, waterfalls, lakes, ponds and close up I wish to shoot photos that are well contrasted and have that jump off the page type of distinct quality. Well saturated photos, vibrant colors, no wash outs are also my hope and objective. Is this level of neutrality serve my objectives. Should the ND and polarizer be graduated?. If so, why? I own a Nikon D90, 3000 and 7000What do you suggest?

A: I would suggest getting a polarizer for the type of image you want. A circular polarizer will saturate blues and enrich color. A circular polarizer is essentially 3 stops of a ND filter as it is, but it is rotate-able. A neutral density filter is more useful in applications where you would want to blur water or shoot wide open for long exposures. Take a look at the B+W 77mm Kaesemann XS-Pro Circular Polarizer MRC Nano Filter, which is one of the highest quality circular polarizers available: http://bhpho.to/1ke87X9

Q: 4. Does this filter have IR Cut. Have you noticed any IR pollution affecting your image quality?

A: As per the manufacturer, this filter has no IR cut nor IR pollution when using it.

Q: 5. what is the filter factor for this? How much light does it reduce?

A: There is no light loss when using this filter.

Q: 6. What is is the mm ring size?

A: Series 9 filters do not have threads. You use them with different size retaining and stepdown rings. The filter is 82.6 mm and the adapter ring is 87.5 mm.

Q: 7. This filter is very loose (cannot fully tighten, keep rotating) when stacked on top of a B+W XS-Pro 67mm filter... Faulty unit? XS-Pro 67mm diameter slightly wider than TIffen 67mm?

A: I believe this filter is meant to be loose so that it can be easily turned to get the gradation to hit your photograph in the perfect position. Mine is loose as well and works well. It's my favorite filter!

Q: 8. Does this filter have a rotating filter ring to allow more control over placement of density in the image?

A: Yes it does. Turns easily and is well constructed. Used it successfully in Hawaii taking sunsets. It has a nice soft graduation. I've had good luck with Tiffen filters. Has the quality that I desire and meets my price point. I use my 58mm filters on a Canon GX1. Hope that helps.

Q: 9. What is the thickness of the filter?(I'm concerned to get vignetting in wide angle lenses)Does it rotate too?Thank you very much!

A: I am not completely sure of its thickness but it seems to be in the .5mm to 1.0 mm range. Very lightIt does not rotate.I use it with my Sigma 10-20mm lens and unless I use it with another filter it does not produce any vignetting. I have used it together with a polarizing filter and it produces some vignetting at 10mm but it disappears at 15mm.O hope this helps.

Q: 10. What is a graduated neutral density filter?Does the filter rotate? By this I mean, can I rotate the filter to high light certain areas?

A: A graduated neutral-density filter is an optical filter that has a variable light transmission. Typically half of the filter is of neutral density which transitions, either abruptly or gradually, into the other half which is clear. It is used to bring an overly-bright part of a scene into the dynamic range of film or sensor. For example, it can be used to darken a bright sky so that both the sky and subject can be properly exposed. There are typically two types of graduated ND filters, which are hard edge and soft edge. This particular Tiffen Graduated 0.6 ND filter is a feathered graduated ND filter, which means that there is a natural-appearing taper between the density and clear areas of the filter. This filter does not rotate.