Tiffen 55R23A 55mm Red 23A Contrast Filter B&W

The Tiffen 55R23A is a 55mm screw-in filter using a Red 23A glass element to selectively block blue and green light wavelengths. In black-and-white photography, this selective absorption translates to dramatically darkened skies, accentuated cloud formations, and increased separation between tonal zones that would otherwise appear similar in grayscale. The effect is significantly stronger than an orange or yellow contrast filter, making it a go-to choice for photographers who want bold, graphic landscape and architectural images without relying on post-processing contrast adjustments.

Built with Tiffen's ColorCore technology, the filter element is laminated between two layers of optical glass, which protects the dyed layer from surface damage and ensures uniform density from edge to edge. The aluminum alloy ring keeps the filter lightweight and easy to thread onto any 55mm lens. With a filter factor of 4x requiring roughly 2 stops of additional exposure, the 55R23A remains practical for handheld shooting in daylight. Cameras with TTL metering will compensate automatically, though manual shooters should meter without the filter and then open up 2 stops. While its strong red cast makes it unsuitable for most color work, it remains an essential optical tool for black-and-white practitioners seeking maximum in-camera contrast control.