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Tiffen

Tiffen 49mm Skylight 1-A Camera Lens Filter

★★★★★4.6 (307 reviews)

Versatile 49mm skylight filter that warms your photos and shields your lens from dust, moisture, and scratches.

$13.99*$14.99Save 6%
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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 49mm Skylight 1-A filter serves a dual purpose that has made it one of the most popular general-use filters among photographers. First, it acts as a physical barrier, protecting your lens's front element from everyday hazards like dust, moisture, fingerprints, and minor scratches. Replacing a scratched filter is far less costly than repairing or replacing a damaged lens, making it a practical investment for any 49mm-threaded optic you want to keep in top condition.

Beyond protection, the Skylight 1-A provides a gentle optical correction. Its slight warm tint counteracts the bluish cast that naturally occurs in daylight, open shade, and overcast conditions, resulting in more pleasing skin tones and warmer overall color balance. It also filters ultraviolet light and compensates for the blue shift that some flash units produce. Because the correction is subtle, the filter can be left on the lens for virtually all shooting situations without producing an obviously tinted image — making it an effective set-it-and-forget-it accessory for everyday photography.

Key Features

Helps protect your valuable investment from dust, moisture and scratches

Reduces the bluish cast of daylight and produces a pleasing, warmer picture tone

Offers correction for ultraviolet (UV) light and bluish cast from some flash units

Popular general-use filter

Specifications

Brand
Tiffen
Model
49SKY
Filter Size
49mm
Filter Type
Skylight 1-A
Effect
UV Protection, Warm Tone
Material
Glass
Water Resistant
No

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Provides permanent physical protection for your lens against dust, moisture, and scratches
  • Adds subtle warmth that reduces the bluish cast common in daylight photography
  • Corrects for UV light without requiring any exposure adjustments
  • Doubles as an affordable always-on lens protector and image enhancer

👎 Cons

  • The warming effect is very subtle and may be imperceptible in many shooting conditions
  • Adds an extra glass surface that can introduce lens flare in strong backlit situations
  • Not water resistant, so it still needs care in wet environments despite protecting the lens beneath
  • 49mm thread size only fits a limited range of lenses — verify compatibility before buying

Frequently Asked Questions

It reduces the bluish color cast common in daylight and open shade, producing a slightly warmer, more pleasing tone. It also corrects for UV light and blue tint that some flash units introduce.
Yes, many photographers keep a skylight filter mounted at all times as a first line of defense against dust, moisture, fingerprints, and scratches on the front element of their lens.
As a single-element glass filter, the Skylight 1-A has minimal impact on sharpness. However, like any filter, it can potentially introduce flare in strong backlit conditions.
This filter fits lenses with a 49mm front filter thread. Check your lens cap or lens specification for the thread diameter before purchasing.
Both block UV light, but the Skylight 1-A adds a very slight pinkish-warm tint that counteracts blue casts, whereas a plain UV filter is color-neutral.

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