The Tiffen 72mm Ultra Contrast 1/4 Filter can be applied to purposely reduce contrast while photographing an image or while recording video. By distributing ambient illumination to darker areas within a scene, this filter is useful in helping to uniformly balance the tonal range among highlights and shadows. Detail is increased within shadow regions while flare and halation around highlights is purposely limited.

This filter has a grade of 1/4. Grades of 1/8, 1/2, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are also available where this filter type's effect becomes approximately twice as strong with each grade number increase.

This filter is made using ColorCore technology, a process that involves laminating the filter substrate between 2 pieces of optical glass and grinding flat to a tolerance of 1/10,000th of an inch.

Useful for Uniform Contrast Reduction    Helps Balance Highlights and Shadows    Increases Illumination in Shadows    Increases Detail in Shadows    Limits Flare and Halation in Highlights    ColorCore Technology    72mm Front Filter Threads    Plastic Case

• Reduces contrast for photography or while recording video
• Distributes ambient illumination to shadows within a scene
• Helps to uniformly balance the tonal range among highlights and shadows
• Increases shadow detail while limiting flare and halation around highlights
• 72mm front filter threads allow for use with other filters
• Plastic case included for storage and transport

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Has anybody tried this filter on an Panasonic FZ300, or for that matter FZ200?

A: Coenraad, thanks for your interest in the Tiffen VND filter. The X Bar effect you mentioned is a product of optical physics and happens with all VND filters when operated outside their intended parameters. VND filters consist of two polarizing filters, as you twist one polarizer in relation to another you create the VND effect. The X Bar typically happens when you are shooting the filter at darker densities and you are using a wide focal length, this will be more common on full frame sensor cameras instead of cropped sensor cameras. To eliminate the X Bar effect you should reduce the density setting of the VND, change your focal length by zooming on more or a combination of both until the effect disappears.

Q: 2. I have a Sony FE 100-400 mm lens with a 77mm filter size. Will a 77mm VND fit beneath the very deep lens hood of this lens?

A: The Tiffen 77mm Variable Neutral Density Filter has a larger outer diameter than the filter thread so the hood for the lens will not fit.

Q: 3. Will 52 mm work for 50mm prime lens?

A: If your lens has a 52mm filter thread, then it will work.

Q: 4. Does this have hard stops?

A: No it does not have hard stops, but the stops are clearly marked on the outer perimeter with white dots.

Q: 5. Can this be used with the Tamron 50-400 with hood attached?

A: No, you cannot use the Tiffen 67mm Variable Neutral Density Filter with the Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD Lens for Sony E while the lens hood is attached.

Q: 6. I usually use 0.9 Tiffen ND filters for DSLR video. I am able to get a shallow aperture in bright conditions. How much more beneficial would this filter be for me for video, as well as photography?

A: I can't help you with the video, but I use it a lot in my still photography because it gives you maximum creative control in/of such a wide variety of light conditions. Reduce depth, slow the movement of water or action or whatever as little or as much as you want - with one filter. I used to have to carry a number of ND filters and then it was an on-off affair until I found the one I wanted - by which time the light had often changed! The filter's quality is excellent and the filter is really smooth to operate. Yeah, it's pricey - but not when you consider that it's replacing three or four fixed ND filters in the range it covers. I hope I helped you. Good luck with your search. (Can't go wrong with B&H either. I've been a customer for over 30 years.)

Q: 7. Will this fit a Nikon 80-400 VR AF lens?

A: yes, check lens specs, Filter Thread, Front: 77 mm

Q: 8. Can/Should this be used in conjunction with a UV filter?

A: We recommend always having a Tiffen UV filter on your lens. The Tiffen VND can attach to the outside filter threads on the UV filter, however when shooting at wide angle you may experience vignetting. If so, you will have to remove the UV filter and just shoot with the VND.

Q: 9. What size do i need for the Sony - E 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS E-Mount Lens (Silver) ?

A: I believe 77mm, but I don't own that lens -

Q: 10. can i mount a rubber lens hood on the front ?

A: Yes...the 67mm version has 77mm threads on the front so you could mount a threaded lens hood.