Tiffen

Tiffen 52ND9 52mm Neutral Density 0.9 Filter

4.6 (1231 reviews)

Tiffen 52mm ND 0.9 filter reduces light by 3 stops for creative exposure control in bright conditions.

$14.95*$19.99Save 25%
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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 52mm Neutral Density 0.9 Filter is a practical light-reduction tool that uniformly decreases the amount of light reaching your camera sensor by 3 f-stops. This controlled reduction opens up creative possibilities that bright conditions would otherwise prevent — you can shoot with wider apertures to isolate subjects with shallow depth of field, or use slower shutter speeds to introduce intentional motion blur in waterfalls, traffic, and other moving subjects. The filter maintains consistent light reduction across the frame, avoiding the graduated effect of GND filters.

Designed with a standard 52mm thread, this filter attaches directly to compatible lenses and can be combined with other threaded filters when additional effects are desired. The 0.9 density rating positions this filter in the middle of the ND range, making it a versatile choice for general outdoor photography where lighting conditions are bright but not extreme. It is compatible with all film types and digital sensors, working equally well for color and black-and-white shooting. The uncoated plastic construction keeps the price accessible, though photographers working in challenging lighting with strong directional light sources may want to be mindful of potential reflections.

Key Features

Eliminates overly bright, washed-out images

Balances exposure

Controls depth of field

For use with F-stop 3 on a manual camera

For all film types, color or black and white

Specifications

Brand
Tiffen
Model
52ND9
Filter Size
52mm
Filter Type
Neutral Density
Density
0.9 (3 f-stops)
Material
Plastic
Coating
No Coating

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Provides a full 3 stops of light reduction for versatile exposure control
  • Enables wider apertures for shallow depth of field in bright daylight
  • Allows slower shutter speeds to capture motion blur effects without overexposure
  • Works with both color and black-and-white film and digital sensors
  • Standard 52mm threading for broad lens compatibility

👎 Cons

  • Plastic construction rather than optical glass may affect image sharpness at high magnifications
  • No multi-coating means increased susceptibility to flare and reflections
  • Single fixed density of 0.9 requires purchasing additional filters for different light reduction levels
  • Not suitable when more than 3 stops of reduction are needed

Frequently Asked Questions

The 0.9 neutral density rating reduces light entering the lens by 3 f-stops, allowing you to use significantly wider apertures or slower shutter speeds than unfiltered shooting would permit.
Neutral density filters are designed to reduce light without affecting color balance. This filter is compatible with both color and black-and-white photography and aims to maintain neutral tones.
This filter fits lenses with a 52mm front filter thread. Check your lens cap or lens specifications to confirm your thread size before purchasing.
Yes, the threaded design allows stacking with other 52mm filters, though stacking multiple filters may introduce vignetting, particularly on wide-angle lenses.
According to the specifications, this filter uses a plastic (resin) construction rather than optical glass.