Tiffen

Tiffen 7281A 72mm 81A Warming Filter

Name: Tiffen 7281A 72mm 81A Warming Filter
Brand: Tiffen
SKU: 7281A

★★★★★4.1 (23 reviews)

A 72mm warming filter that corrects cool light and enriches flesh tones for daylight and flash photography.

$55.00*

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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 7281A is a 72mm screw-in warming filter from Tiffen's long-established 81 series. The 81A designation indicates a light amber tint that gently shifts the color temperature of light passing through the lens, warming images by counteracting the blue cast common in overcast daylight, open shade, and electronic flash. Originally designed for film photographers — it converts 3200K tungsten Type B film to 3400K lighting — the filter remains useful for any photographer who prefers to achieve color correction optically rather than in post-production.

Constructed from optically flat glass with Tiffen's ColorCore technology, the 81A is designed to maintain sharpness and contrast across the frame. Its most popular application is portrait photography, where the warming effect produces more flattering, natural-looking skin tones. The filter threads onto any 72mm lens and adds minimal bulk or weight. With an exposure factor of roughly 1/3 stop, it has a negligible impact on your exposure settings, making it practical to leave mounted for extended outdoor shooting sessions where cool light conditions persist.

Key Features

Creates warmer tones and brighter colors on overcast days or when shooting with an electronic flash

Great for improving flesh tones

72mm diameter

81A converts tungsten 3,200 K type B film to 3,400 K lighting

Specifications

Brand

Tiffen

Model

7281A

Filter Size

72mm

Filter Type

81A Warming

Color Temperature Conversion

3200K to 3400K

Effect

Warms images, corrects cool light, improves flesh tones

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

Subtle warming effect corrects cool color casts without making images look unnaturally orange.
Optically clear glass maintains image sharpness and contrast when mounted on the lens.
Useful for improving skin tones in portraits shot under overcast or shaded conditions.
Doubles as a front element protector for your 72mm lens.

👎 Cons

Effect is very subtle and may be imperceptible in many shooting scenarios, especially on digital cameras with auto white balance.
Digital photographers can replicate the same warming adjustment in post-processing or via white balance settings.
Only fits 72mm filter threads — a step-up ring is needed for smaller lenses.
Single-purpose filter with a fixed color shift that cannot be dialed up or down.

Frequently Asked Questions

What effect does the 81A filter have on my images?

The 81A adds a subtle warm tone to your images, counteracting the bluish cast produced by overcast skies, open shade, or electronic flash. It is one of the mildest warming filters available, making it suitable for slight corrections without an overly orange look.

Can I use this filter on a digital camera or is it only for film?

While the 81A was originally designed for film photography — specifically to convert 3200K tungsten Type B film to 3400K lighting — it can also be used on digital cameras to add a subtle optical warmth at the lens, though most digital photographers achieve similar results with white balance adjustments.

Will this filter fit my lens?

This filter has a 72mm thread diameter. It will screw directly onto any lens with a 72mm filter thread. Check the front of your lens or its specifications to confirm your thread size.

Does the 81A filter reduce the amount of light entering the lens?

The 81A requires a very minimal exposure compensation of approximately 1/3 stop, which is negligible in most shooting conditions.