Tiffen

Tiffen 81A 138mm Light Balancing Filter Round

Name: Tiffen 81A 138mm Light Balancing Filter Round
Brand: Tiffen
SKU: 81A

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...

View price on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Studio Supplies earns from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. This helps support our editorial team.

Notice a mistake? Let Us Know

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the 138mm Tiffen 81A filter attach to a camera lens?

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.

What is the primary function of an 81A light balancing filter?

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.

What is the diameter of this Tiffen filter?

This Tiffen filter has a diameter of 138mm, which is a common size for professional cinema and large format photography filter systems.

Can this filter be used with standard threaded camera lenses?

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.

Does this filter provide any creative effects beyond light balancing?

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.

Strengths & Trade-offs

👍 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.