Tiffen Infra-Red 87 72mm IR Filter

The Tiffen Infra-Red 87 filter in the 72mm size is a highly specialized tool built for one purpose: enabling black-and-white infrared photography by blocking the entire visible light spectrum. When mounted on your lens, it transmits only infrared wavelengths, allowing IR-sensitive film to capture the surreal, high-contrast imagery that makes infrared photography distinctive — bright white foliage, dark skies, and an ethereal glow in landscape scenes.

Because the filter permits no visible light transmission, it renders the viewfinder completely opaque. Photographers must compose, focus, and meter their scene before attaching the filter, then apply exposure compensation based on testing. This workflow demands patience and planning, but the results are uniquely rewarding. The 72mm thread size accommodates a broad range of lenses, and Tiffen's glass construction ensures that the filter itself does not degrade image sharpness. For photographers committed to exploring infrared film work, the Infra-Red 87 is an essential and reliable piece of kit.