Tiffen

Tiffen 81A 138mm Light Balancing Filter Round

Subtle Warmth: Tiffen 138mm 81A Light Balancing FilterAchieve accurate color balance in your images with the Tiffen 138mm 81A Light Balancing Filter. This filter slightly warms the image by decreasing the color temperature, ideal for matching different light sources and enhancing your photography...

$295.00*
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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

Subtle Warmth: Tiffen 138mm 81A Light Balancing Filter

Achieve accurate color balance in your images with the Tiffen 138mm 81A Light Balancing Filter. This filter slightly warms the image by decreasing the color temperature, ideal for matching different light sources and enhancing your photography.

  • Brand: Tiffen
  • Model: 81A
  • Filter Size: 138mm
  • Type: Light Balancing Filter
  • Effect: Decreases color temperature, provides a warming effect
  • Color Correction: Subtracts 200K
  • Filter Factor: 1.3 (requires 0.3-stop increase in exposure)
  • Construction: ColorCore technology (laminated between optical glass)

Key Features

138mm filters have no threads, they are designed to drop into a filter adapter ring or a matte box

Specifications

Filter Type
Light Balancing Filter
Filter Size
138mm
Design
Round, Threadless
Intended Use
Filter adapter ring or matte box

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Designed for seamless integration into a filter adapter ring or a matte box due to its threadless design.
  • The 138mm size offers a substantial surface area, which can be beneficial for various photographic applications requiring precise light balance.
  • Functions as an 81A light balancing filter, specifically engineered to adjust color temperature for improved image quality.
  • Created by Tiffen, a brand recognized in the photography industry for producing specialized camera accessories.
  • Its round shape ensures even light distribution when positioned correctly within a compatible filter system.

👎 Cons

  • Lacks threads, meaning it cannot be directly screwed onto a lens and requires additional adapter rings or a matte box for use.
  • The 138mm size might be too large for smaller lens setups, limiting its compatibility to professional or specialized camera rigs.
  • As a light balancing filter, its primary function is color correction, and it does not offer creative effects like polarizing or variable ND.
  • Specific details regarding its material composition or how it precisely shifts color temperature are not provided in the feature set.
  • The requirement for additional accessories like a matte box adds to the overall cost and complexity of a camera setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Tiffen 81A filter is designed without threads, meaning it needs to be dropped into a compatible filter adapter ring or a matte box system for attachment.
An 81A light balancing filter is typically used to warm up the color temperature slightly, helping to achieve more natural skin tones or correct for overly cool lighting conditions.
This Tiffen filter has a diameter of 138mm, which is a common size for professional cinema and large format photography filter systems.
No, this filter is specifically designed without threads and requires a system that accommodates threadless filters, such as a matte box or an adapter ring.
The Tiffen 81A filter is primarily for light balancing and color correction; it does not offer other creative effects like polarization or variable neutral density.