
B+W
B+W 66015524 55mm Yellow/Orange Multi Coated Filter
★★★★★
Deepen skies and sculpt dramatic tonal contrast in black and white work with this multi-coated 55mm yellow-orange filter.
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Overview
Specifications
Filter Size
55mm
Filter Type
Yellow/Orange (#040 / 16)
Coating
Multi Coated
Material
Glass
Filter Factor
Approx. 4x (2 stops)
Brand
B+W
Model
66015524
Pros & Cons
👍 Pros
- Dramatically separates blue skies from white clouds in black and white, giving you rich, printable tonal gradations in a single exposure.
- Multi-coating preserves contrast and controls flare when shooting into bright, directional light — ideal for architectural exteriors.
- The 4x filter factor is manageable in daylight, letting you maintain handheld shutter speeds for most landscape and street work.
- B+W's brass filter ring threads smoothly and resists cross-threading, so swapping filters on location doesn't slow you down.
- Glass construction delivers optical clarity that doesn't soften fine detail, even on high-resolution sensors.
👎 Cons
- The two-stop light loss makes this filter impractical for low-light or indoor black and white shooting without a tripod.
- Only available in 55mm, so photographers with multiple lens thread sizes will need step-up rings or additional filters.
- The effect is fixed — unlike graduated filters, you cannot selectively control where the darkening occurs across the frame.
- No protective case is included, which means you'll want a filter pouch to avoid scratching the coatings in your bag.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this filter affect exposure compared to shooting without it?
You'll lose approximately two stops of light (4x filter factor), so plan to compensate with a slower shutter speed, wider aperture, or higher ISO. On a bright day shooting landscapes, this is rarely an issue.
Can I use this filter for color photography, or is it strictly for black and white?
It's designed for black and white work, where it darkens blues and greens to create tonal separation. On color images it applies a strong yellow-orange cast, which is generally not desirable unless you're going for a deliberate creative effect.
Will the multi-coating help when I'm shooting into harsh light?
Yes. The multi-coating reduces internal reflections and flare, so you'll retain contrast even when the sun is near the edge of your frame — a common scenario in the landscape and architecture work this filter excels at.
Does this filter vignette on wider focal lengths?
On a 55mm thread size the filter ring is relatively slim, but on ultra-wide lenses (equivalent focal lengths below about 28mm) you may notice slight corner darkening. For standard and telephoto focal lengths, vignetting is not an issue.
Is the glass easy to clean in the field?
The multi-coated glass surface is smoother than uncoated alternatives, so dust and light smudges wipe away readily with a microfiber cloth. It's not as repellent as nano-coated filters, but field cleaning is straightforward.