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Tiffen Infra-Red 87 72mm IR Filter — main product image
Tiffen

Tiffen Infra-Red 87 72mm IR Filter

★★★★★4.2 (18 reviews)

A specialized 72mm infrared filter that blocks all visible light for striking black-and-white IR photography.

$79.00*
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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 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.

Key Features

For black-and-white infrared film only

No visible transmission

72mm diameter

Total visible light absorption

Specifications

Brand
Tiffen
Model
Infra-Red 87
Filter Diameter
72mm
Filter Type
Infrared
Intended Use
Black and White Infrared Film
Visible Light Transmission
None

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Completely blocks visible light for pure infrared exposure, producing dramatic and otherworldly tonal effects
  • 72mm thread size fits a wide range of professional and enthusiast lenses
  • Tiffen's optical glass construction maintains image sharpness across the frame
  • Simple screw-on design makes it easy to add to or remove from your lens

👎 Cons

  • Blocks all visible light, making the viewfinder completely dark and requiring you to compose shots before mounting the filter
  • Designed only for black-and-white infrared film, limiting its usefulness for digital photographers without IR-converted cameras
  • Requires significant exposure compensation and test shots to achieve desired results
  • The specialized nature of infrared photography means a steep learning curve for photographers unfamiliar with the technique

Frequently Asked Questions

It is designed exclusively for use with black-and-white infrared film. It is not intended for standard color photography or digital IR photography without additional camera modifications.
No. The Infra-Red 87 filter blocks all visible light, making the viewfinder completely dark. You must compose and focus your shot before attaching the filter to the lens.
Yes, it threads onto any lens with a 72mm front filter thread, regardless of brand or focal length.
Infrared film and this filter combination produce unpredictable results depending on lighting conditions, film stock, and exposure settings. Testing helps you determine the correct exposure compensation and framing adjustments needed for your specific setup.
The Infra-Red 87 has a sharper visible light cutoff, blocking virtually all light below approximately 740nm. Other IR filters like the 89B allow some deep red visible light to pass through, producing different tonal effects in the final image.

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