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Tiffen 55OR21 55mm Orange #21 Filter for Black & White Photography — main product image
Tiffen

Tiffen 55OR21 55mm Orange #21 Filter for Black & White Photography

★★★★★4.3 (149 reviews)

Tiffen's 55mm Orange #21 filter transforms black and white photography with dramatic sky contrast and rich tonal separation.

$21.95*
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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 55mm Orange #21 is a traditional colored contrast filter engineered specifically for black and white photography. By absorbing blue and blue-green wavelengths of light, it forces these tones to render darker on monochrome film or in digital black and white conversions. The practical result is striking: blue skies become deep and dramatic, clouds gain pronounced definition, and landscapes take on a bold, high-contrast character. It is particularly effective for outdoor subjects including landscapes, marine scenes, and aerial photography where blue tones dominate the frame.

Constructed from optical glass in a standard 55mm screw-in mount, the filter is compatible with any lens that accepts 55mm front-threaded filters, spanning all major camera brands and systems. The Orange #21 occupies a useful middle ground in the spectrum of contrast filters — it delivers a noticeably stronger effect than a Yellow #8 or #12 while remaining more natural-looking than a Red #25, which can push sky tones to near-black. This balance makes it one of the most popular choices among monochrome photographers who want a single go-to contrast filter. Photographers should account for roughly 2 to 3 stops of light loss when shooting with this filter, meaning a tripod or faster film speed may be necessary in lower-light conditions.

Key Features

Boosts Black & White Contrast: Dramatically increases tonal separation for richer, more defined monochrome images

Darkens Blue Tones: Absorbs blue and blue‑green light to deepen skies, water, and atmospheric elements

Ideal for Outdoor Photography: Perfect for landscape, marine, and aerial shooting applications

ColorCore Technology: Precision-laminated optical glass ensures consistent color accuracy and durability

Specifications

Diameter
55mm
Filter Color
Orange (#21)
Effect
Absorbs blue and blue-green colors
Intended Use
Black and white photography (landscape, marine, aerial)
Material
Optical Glass
Mount Type
Screw-in (standard thread)

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Produces strong, dramatic sky-to-cloud contrast in black and white images without post-processing
  • Optical glass construction maintains image sharpness across the frame
  • Standard 55mm thread mount provides universal compatibility with any 55mm lens
  • Versatile middle-ground effect between yellow and red filters suits a wide range of monochrome subjects

👎 Cons

  • Single-purpose design offers limited usefulness outside of black and white photography
  • Requires approximately 2-3 stops of exposure compensation, which may necessitate slower shutter speeds or higher ISO
  • Only available in 55mm, so photographers with multiple lens sizes would need additional filters or step-up rings
  • No multi-coating is specified, which may contribute to flare in strong backlit shooting conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

It absorbs blue and blue-green light, which causes blue skies to render significantly darker in monochrome. This creates strong contrast between clouds and sky and adds dramatic tonal depth to landscapes.
While physically possible, the Orange #21 is purpose-built for black and white work. In color photography it applies a heavy orange cast to the entire image, which is generally undesirable unless you are seeking a specific creative effect.
It falls between the two in intensity. A yellow filter provides subtle contrast enhancement, while a red filter creates extreme darkening of skies. The Orange #21 delivers a strong but natural-looking contrast boost that many photographers consider the most versatile option.
Yes, it threads onto any lens with a 55mm front filter thread using standard screw-in mounting, regardless of the lens brand or camera system.
Yes, like all colored contrast filters, the Orange #21 absorbs a portion of the visible spectrum. You will need to compensate with approximately 2 to 3 stops of additional exposure when using this filter.

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