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Tiffen 12 72mm Yellow Filter - Black and White Photography — main product image
Tiffen

Tiffen 12 72mm Yellow Filter - Black and White Photography

★★★★★4.2 (83 reviews)

72mm yellow contrast filter that deepens skies and cuts haze for sharper black-and-white photography.

$85.00*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 14, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Tiffen 72mm #12 Yellow Filter is a classic tool for black-and-white photography, designed to absorb blue light and enhance tonal contrast in monochrome images. By darkening blue skies and making white clouds pop, the filter adds dramatic depth to landscapes and architectural shots that would otherwise appear flat in grayscale. It also functions as a "minus blue" filter, cutting through atmospheric haze in aerial and long-distance photography for cleaner, more defined results.

Built with Tiffen's ColorCore technology, the filter material is laminated between two layers of optical glass, ensuring consistent color density edge to edge and protecting the filtration layer from scratching and environmental wear. With a filter factor of 2, the exposure adjustment is a straightforward one-stop increase — simple to calculate whether you are shooting manually or letting your camera meter through the filter. The 72mm threading fits standard lenses of that diameter, and the filter also proves useful in astrophotography, where it reduces the excess blue glow of a full moon for improved lunar contrast and detail.

Key Features

Reduces excess blue of full moon in astrophotography

"Minus blue" cuts haze in aerial work

Primarily for black-and-white images

72mm diameter

Specifications

Brand
Tiffen
Filter Type
Yellow (#12)
Filter Size
72mm
Material
Optical Glass
Construction
ColorCore Technology
Filter Factor
2 (1-stop increase)
Primary Use
Black-and-White Photography

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Noticeably darkens blue skies and increases cloud contrast in black-and-white images.
  • ColorCore laminated construction provides even filtration across the entire 72mm surface.
  • One-stop filter factor makes exposure compensation simple and predictable.
  • Effectively cuts atmospheric haze in aerial and landscape photography.
  • Optical glass construction maintains image sharpness without introducing distortion.

👎 Cons

  • Designed primarily for black-and-white photography, limiting its usefulness for color shooters.
  • One-stop exposure increase may require slower shutter speeds or wider apertures in lower light.
  • 72mm thread size fits only lenses with a matching filter diameter without step-up rings.
  • The yellow #12 provides moderate contrast enhancement — photographers seeking stronger effects may need an orange or red filter.

Frequently Asked Questions

It enhances contrast and tonal separation in black-and-white photography by darkening blue skies, lightening foliage, and reducing atmospheric haze.
The filter has a factor of 2, meaning you need to increase exposure by 1 stop when using it.
It is designed primarily for black-and-white work. In color photography, it will apply a strong yellow cast to the entire image.
ColorCore is Tiffen's construction method where the filter material is laminated between two pieces of optical glass, ensuring even color density and long-term durability.
Yes, the #12 yellow filter reduces the excess blue cast of a full moon, improving contrast and detail in lunar photography.

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