Description
The Tiffen 52mm Red 25 Filter is a screw-on red contrast filter rental for black-and-white photography. Cutting three full stops of exposure and passing only wavelengths above 580nm, the Red 25 darkens blue skies to near black, renders white clouds with stark separation, and strips haze from landscape scenes where UV and atmospheric scatter would otherwise wash out mid-ground and background detail.
Tiffen constructs the Red 25 with ColorCore technology — the red dye is permanently laminated between two optical glass elements rather than coated on the surface. A single anti-reflection coating on the outer faces reduces flare in high-contrast situations. At 52mm this filter fits a wide range of prime and kit lenses, making it a practical tool for 35mm film shooters, digital monochrome work, and infrared film photography where extreme red-pass behavior produces the distinctive bright-foliage, dark-sky look.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Model 52R25 |
Filter Type Red 25 — B&W contrast |
| Filter Size 52mm front thread |
Material ColorCore optical glass (dye laminated between glass) |
| Ring Material Aluminum |
Coating Single-coated |
| Glass Thickness 0.1″ / 2.5 mm |
Ring / Frame Thickness 0.3″ / 8 mm |
| Filter Factor 8× (3 stops exposure reduction) |
Spectral Transmission 0% below 580 nm; 86.5% at 700 nm |
| Effect Darkens skies, cuts haze, builds B&W contrast |
Retail Value ~$23 CAD |
BEST FOR
Red Contrast Filter Rental Tips
The Red 25 has a filter factor of 8 (3 stops). If your meter reads f/8 at 1/250s without the filter, you will need to shoot at f/2.8 at 1/250s, or f/8 at 1/30s, or some equivalent combination after adding the filter. TTL metering through the lens will compensate automatically on most cameras; handheld meters need manual adjustment.
The Red 25 passes warm wavelengths and blocks cool ones. In practice: blue skies record very dark, sometimes nearly black; green foliage, which reflects strongly in the red channel, records lighter than normal. This gives landscapes a graphic, high-contrast look with separated tonal zones.
On infrared-sensitive film such as Rollei Infrared 400, the Red 25 acts as a near-infrared pass filter, producing the bright foliage and dramatically dark skies associated with IR photography. Use a tripod — the 3-stop exposure reduction plus infrared film’s base speed typically push you into long exposure territory even in direct sun.
A red filter does not affect what you see through the viewfinder on most cameras, but your final image tones will look very different from what your eye perceives. Practice by previewing in-camera in monochrome mode (if available) with the filter attached, or study a few test frames before committing to a full roll or session.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What does the Red 25 filter actually do to a photograph?
It passes red-spectrum light (580nm and above) while blocking blue, green, and UV wavelengths. In black-and-white photography, colors that are blocked record as dark tones, and colors that are passed record as lighter tones. The result: blue skies turn very dark, clouds stand out with high contrast, atmospheric haze is reduced, and warm-toned subjects such as foliage and skin can appear lighter than normal.
How many stops of exposure do I need to add?
Three stops (filter factor 8). If you are using TTL metering through the lens, your camera compensates automatically. With a handheld meter, dial in +3 EV compensation after you have taken your unfiltered reading. On film cameras without TTL metering, remember to apply the correction manually.
Can I use the Red 25 for color photography?
Technically yes, but it renders everything with a heavy red cast and blocks most other color information. It is almost exclusively used for B&W work or as a near-IR pass filter with infrared film. For warming color images, the Tiffen 812 warming filter is a more appropriate choice.
Will it work on 52mm lenses? Which lenses have a 52mm thread?
Yes — any lens with a 52mm filter thread accepts this filter. Common 52mm lenses include the Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF, Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II, and various legacy primes from Olympus, Minolta, and Pentax. If your lens has a different thread size, step-up rings allow you to use a larger filter, though a step-down ring on a smaller thread is not recommended.
Is there a difference between the Red 25 and a Red 29 or Red 23A?
Yes. The Red 25 (sometimes called Wratten 25) is a medium-red filter that passes above 580nm. The Red 29 is a darker red that cuts off higher — producing deeper sky darkening but requiring more exposure compensation. The Orange 21 / 23A is lighter, giving a moderate sky effect with less exposure penalty. The Red 25 is the most commonly used red contrast filter for general B&W work.
Does it work with digital cameras shooting B&W or monochrome?
Yes. On a digital camera set to shoot JPEG in monochrome mode, the Red 25 gives the same tonal effect as it does on B&W film. For RAW capture, the filter still shifts the recorded channel values — a RAW conversion to monochrome using the red channel will be darker in the sky and lighter in foliage. Some photographers prefer to simulate the effect in post via channel mixing; others prefer the filter for an in-camera baseline, especially on film bodies.
What is the coating on this filter?
The Red 25 uses a single anti-reflection coating on the outer glass surfaces. This helps reduce lens flare in high-contrast lighting — particularly relevant when shooting into bright skies, which is a common scenario for this filter.
Rent the Tiffen 52mm Red 25 Filter in Williams Lake, BC — available by appointment from Gear Locker, serving photographers, filmmakers, videographers, wedding professionals, event planners, corporate event coordinators, and production crews across the Cariboo-Chilcotin region.
| Rental Duration | 1 Day, 2 Days, 3 Days, 4 Days, 1 Week, 2 Weeks, 3 Weeks, 1 Month |
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