Tiffen

Tiffen 405CP 40.5mm Circular Polarizing Filter

4.4 (125 reviews)

Reduce glare and boost color saturation with Tiffen's ultra-slim 40.5mm circular polarizer featuring ColorCore optical technology.

$19.95*$20.99Save 4%
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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 405CP 40.5mm Circular Polarizing Filter is a purpose-built optical accessory designed to tame reflections and deepen color saturation in both photography and videography. By selectively filtering polarized light, it cuts through glare bouncing off water, glass, and other non-metallic surfaces, revealing richer blues in skies and more vivid greens in foliage. Tiffen's proprietary ColorCore technology embeds the polarizing material between two layers of optical-quality glass, ensuring uniform color consistency and long-term durability that surface-coated alternatives often cannot match.

The ultra-slim ring profile is a key design choice for the 40.5mm size, which is commonly found on compact mirrorless lenses where vignetting risk is higher. The non-slip outer ring allows smooth rotation to fine-tune the polarization angle without struggling to grip the filter, and its water-resistant surface coating means you can confidently shoot near waterfalls, coastlines, or in light rain without worrying about damage. At just 40.5mm, this is a small and lightweight addition to your kit that delivers a meaningful visual improvement straight out of camera, reducing the need for post-processing glare correction.

Key Features

ULTRA-SLIM AND DURABLE FRAME: The Tiffen Circular Polarizer slim 40.5mm ring design ensures there’s no vignetting on wide-angle and telephoto lenses, keeping your image sharp and clean from edge to edge. The Tiffen Circular Polarizing non-slip ring allows for easy installation and removal, offering both durability and convenience for photographers and videographers.

Classic Circular Polarizer for Color & Contrast Control: Reduces glare and unwanted reflections from non‑metallic surfaces, enhancing color saturation and contrast for skies, water, foliage, and cinematic outdoor imagery.

Smooth Rotating Polarization Control: Allows precise adjustment of polarization intensity via a smooth rotating ring, giving filmmakers and photographers direct visual control as shooting conditions change. Tiffen Circular Polarizer filters are ideal for all types of photography and video projects. This filter provides a richer color and contrast on your projects.

IDEAL FOR PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY: Tiffen Circular Polarizer filters are ideal for all types of photography and video projects. This filter provides a richer color and contrast on your projects.

Made from Optical Glass: Tiffen's optical glass provides unparalleled performance trusted by professional cinematographers and professional photographers for over 80 years.

Specifications

Brand
Tiffen
Model
405CP
Filter Size
40.5mm
Filter Type
Circular Polarizer
Glass Type
Optical Quality with ColorCore Technology
Frame Design
Ultra-Slim, Non-Slip Ring
Water Resistant
Yes
Compatible Lens Types
Wide-Angle and Telephoto

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Ultra-slim ring design prevents vignetting even on wide-angle lenses
  • Ultra-slim ring design prevents vignetting even on wide-angle lenses at 40.5mm
  • Ultra-slim frame design prevents vignetting even on wide-angle lenses
  • Ultra-slim ring design prevents vignetting even on wide-angle lenses
  • ColorCore technology provides consistent polarization effect across the entire filter surface
  • ColorCore technology provides consistent polarization that won't fade or degrade over time
  • ColorCore technology ensures consistent polarization and color accuracy over the life of the filter
  • ColorCore technology provides consistent polarization that does not degrade over time
  • Non-slip ring makes it easy to rotate for precise glare adjustment
  • Non-slip ring allows easy installation, removal, and rotation adjustments
  • Non-slip ring makes it easy to rotate for precise adjustment of the polarizing effect
  • Water-resistant coating protects against moisture during outdoor shoots
  • Non-slip ring makes it easy to attach, remove, and rotate for adjustment
  • Water-resistant coating protects the glass during outdoor and inclement-weather shooting
  • Water-resistant surface is easy to clean during outdoor shooting
  • Water-resistant surface holds up well during outdoor shoots
  • Optical quality glass maintains sharpness and parallelism across the filter surface
  • Optical-quality glass maintains sharpness and clarity across the image
  • Optical-quality glass maintains image sharpness without degradation

👎 Cons

  • 40.5mm is a less common thread size, limiting which lenses it can be used on without step-up rings
  • Reduces light transmission by approximately 1 to 2 stops, requiring exposure compensation
  • 40.5mm thread size fits a limited number of lenses, mostly compact mirrorless and older models
  • 40.5mm thread size fits a limited number of lenses, mostly compact or mirrorless kit lenses
  • Reduces light transmission by approximately 1 to 2 stops, requiring exposure compensation
  • Reduces incoming light by 1-2 stops, which may require exposure compensation in low-light situations
  • 40.5mm thread size fits a limited range of lenses, so it may not be usable across your entire lens collection
  • Reduces light transmission by approximately 1 to 2 stops, requiring exposure compensation
  • Rotating the filter to find optimal polarization can be fiddly on smaller lenses
  • Effect varies with angle to the sun and is least effective when shooting directly toward or away from the light source
  • No multi-coating mentioned, so it may be more prone to flare than higher-end polarizers
  • No included carrying case or pouch for protection when not in use
  • Does not include a protective case or pouch for storage
  • No multi-coating mentioned, which may result in slightly more flare susceptibility than premium coated filters
  • No included carrying case or pouch for protection during transport

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the 405CP uses an ultra-slim ring design specifically engineered to prevent vignetting on both wide-angle and telephoto lenses.
No, the ultra-slim ring design is specifically engineered to prevent vignetting on both wide-angle and telephoto lenses at the 40.5mm filter size.
No. The ultra-slim ring design is specifically engineered to prevent vignetting on both wide-angle and telephoto lenses.
No. Tiffen designed this with an ultra-slim ring profile specifically to prevent vignetting on both wide-angle and telephoto lenses.
Simply rotate the outer ring of the filter while looking through your viewfinder or at your live view screen. The polarization effect changes as you turn it, letting you dial in the exact amount of glare reduction you want.
A circular polarizer is compatible with autofocus and metering systems in modern cameras, while a linear polarizer can interfere with those systems. For any camera with through-the-lens metering, a circular polarizer like this one is the correct choice.
A circular polarizer like this Tiffen filter is designed to work with autofocus and metering systems in modern cameras. A linear polarizer can interfere with these systems, making circular polarizers the standard choice for current digital cameras.
ColorCore is Tiffen's proprietary process where the polarizing material is laminated between two pieces of optical glass, providing consistent color and effect quality that resists degradation over time.
Yes, the circular polarizer works equally well for video and photography, reducing reflections and enhancing color saturation in both applications.
Yes, the filter is water resistant, providing protection during outdoor shoots in damp or variable weather conditions. The surface is also easy to clean and maintain.
Circular polarizing filters typically reduce light by about 1 to 2 stops, so you may need to compensate with a slightly slower shutter speed or wider aperture.
Yes. As a circular polarizer (as opposed to a linear polarizer), the 405CP is designed to work properly with autofocus and metering systems in modern cameras.
Absolutely. The circular polarizer works equally well for video, reducing reflections and enhancing color and contrast in footage.
Yes. Tiffen has given this filter a water-resistant coating, which provides extra protection during outdoor shoots in varied weather conditions.
ColorCore is Tiffen's proprietary process where the polarizing material is laminated between two pieces of optical glass, ensuring consistent color accuracy and long-lasting performance compared to surface-applied coatings.
Yes, the filter surface is water-resistant, offering protection during outdoor shoots in varying weather conditions and is easy to clean and maintain.
This filter fits lenses with a 40.5mm front filter thread. Check your lens cap or lens specifications to confirm your thread size before purchasing.
While it does provide a layer of physical protection for the front lens element, a circular polarizer reduces light transmission by approximately 1 to 2 stops, so it is best used intentionally rather than as a permanent lens protector.
ColorCore is Tiffen's proprietary process where the filter effect is sealed between two layers of optical glass, ensuring consistent color accuracy and long-term durability compared to surface-coated filters.
The water-resistant coating makes maintenance straightforward. Use a microfiber cloth or lens cleaning tissue with a small amount of lens cleaning solution to wipe the surface gently.