Tiffen

Tiffen 405WSFX1 40.5mm Warm Soft/FX1 Filter

4.6 (7 reviews)

Combine warming and softening effects in a single 40.5mm filter for naturally flattering portrait photography.

$65.00*
In Stock on Amazon.com
View on Amazon

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

Affiliate Disclosure: Studio Supplies may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. This helps support our editorial team.

Notice a mistake? Let Us Know

Overview

The Tiffen 40.5mm Warm Soft/FX1 Filter is a dual-effect photographic filter that merges a warming color shift with a light diffusion layer. The warming component adds a gentle amber tone to images, which is particularly effective for skin tones, giving subjects a healthy, natural glow without the orange cast that stronger warming filters can introduce. The Soft/FX1 diffusion smooths fine details like skin texture, pores, and small blemishes while preserving the overall structure and sharpness of the image — making it a practical in-camera alternative to post-production skin retouching.

As the lightest strength in Tiffen's Soft/FX line, the FX1 level is designed for photographers who want a natural-looking result rather than a heavily stylized soft-focus effect. It threads onto any 40.5mm lens, which is common on compact mirrorless cameras and some rangefinder lenses. Because both effects are combined into a single piece of glass, there's no need to stack separate warming and diffusion filters, reducing the risk of vignetting and image degradation on smaller lens diameters. The filter is best suited for portrait, beauty, and lifestyle photography where flattering skin rendition is a priority.

Key Features

Ideal for all "people" photography.

Two best portrait effects combined.

Gives skin a warm healthy glow.

High quality metal mounting ring.

Specifications

Brand
Tiffen
Model
405WSFX1
Filter Size
40.5mm
Filter Type
Warm Soft/FX1
Effect
Warming + Soft Diffusion
Diffusion Strength
FX1 (Lightest)

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Combines warming and softening into a single filter, eliminating the need to stack two separate filters.
  • The FX1 strength provides a subtle effect that flatters skin tones without making images look artificially soft.
  • Standard 40.5mm threading fits a wide range of compact and mirrorless camera lenses.
  • Optical glass construction maintains image quality and reduces flare or ghosting.

👎 Cons

  • The 40.5mm size limits compatibility to smaller lenses — not usable on standard DSLR lenses without an adapter ring.
  • The warming tint is baked into the filter and cannot be adjusted, which may require correction in post for non-portrait work.
  • The FX1 softening level may be too subtle for photographers who want a more pronounced diffusion effect.
  • Not ideal for landscape or architectural photography where maximum sharpness and neutral color are preferred.

Frequently Asked Questions

It combines two effects in one filter — a warming tone that shifts colors slightly toward amber, and a light softening that reduces fine detail and harsh lines without making the image look blurry.
Yes, the Tiffen Warm Soft/FX1 can be used for both stills and video on any lens with a 40.5mm filter thread. The softening effect can help create a cinematic look.
The FX1 level is the mildest in the Soft/FX range, so it gently reduces micro-contrast and fine detail rather than producing a heavy blur. It retains overall image structure while smoothing skin texture.
You can, though stacking multiple filters on a 40.5mm thread increases the risk of vignetting, especially on wider focal lengths. Test with your specific lens before shooting.