Last updated at 05/03/2026 11:44:43
Tiffen 58mm Black Satin 1/2 Filter
Delivery $4.90
originally posted on bhphotovideo.com
My background is UK commercial and corporate production for over 15 years. I'm now a professor teaching video production in the communications department of US University . I still do commercial and documentary work on the side, to stay sharp and tick my professional development box.For years I've owned creative Tiffen filters in the form of Black Pro Mist 1/8, 1/4, 1/2. These are all great in narrative settings, but I was recently shooting a documentary about Idaho Dairymen, albeit in a cinematic style, and needed to reduce the native digital contrasty look of my BMPCC 4K. I was also using cine-modded Zeiss classic primes, which have their own sharp contrast to them.I wanted a filter that I could keep in my Tilta Mb-12 matte-box to more subtly do the job of ... MoreMy background is UK commercial and corporate production for over 15 years. I'm now a professor teaching video production in the communications department of US University . I still do commercial and documentary work on the side, to stay sharp and tick my professional development box.For years I've owned creative Tiffen filters in the form of Black Pro Mist 1/8, 1/4, 1/2. These are all great in narrative settings, but I was recently shooting a documentary about Idaho Dairymen, albeit in a cinematic style, and needed to reduce the native digital contrasty look of my BMPCC 4K. I was also using cine-modded Zeiss classic primes, which have their own sharp contrast to them.I wanted a filter that I could keep in my Tilta Mb-12 matte-box to more subtly do the job of lowering contrast, adding a very slight halation to highlights, to facilitate a nicer roll-off, without screaming filtered image! I'm using this with 100mm, 85mm, 50mm, 35mm, 25mm and 15mm primes. Before folks get snotty about swapping out filter strengths for focal lengths, I didn't feel the need to with this. I do consider that with the Black Pro Mists, but these new Tiffen filters are simply better at letting you get away with it when magnifying the creative effect.This can still be used on narrative work. An example of this filter and strength being used on narrative work across a range of primes would be British cinematographer, Si Bell using it on season 5 of the BBC show Peaky Blinders. He wanted to keep the larger than life atmosphere and peaky vibe established in previous seasons but inject a feeling of realism into the proceedings. This Tiffen 4 x 5.65 Black Satin Diffusion Filter (1/4 Density) helped him, in part, to achieve that look.I'm coupling this filter in the matte-box with Formatt Hitech Firecrest ND's 0.6, 0.9, 1.5 and the results are great.I can see myself opting for this filter more often, over the Black Pro Mists, even in my narrative and commercial work. It has much of the same effect without smashing the image so much and drawing attention to the filtration.Hope this is helpful to someone.
originally posted on bhphotovideo.com
I have many filters that I've collected over the last few years.This one is just fantastic. I double it up with the Tiffen Smoque 1 and it's probably my favorite combo. Instead of describing what my eyes see, I'll post a couple of screenshots for you to see for yourself. I also bought recently the 1/2 version, which I Iike even more.
originally posted on adorama.com
Adds a soft subtle glow with much less "subtle peen" than the Black Satin 1. If you aren't sure what I mean, the pattern on these make a subtle phallic shape in the flares. It's much less noticeable on the 1/4 and 1/8 but still there, very noticeable on the 1. Otherwise if there's no flare it adds a soft subtle glow to the image and removes some of that sharpness and clinical look. A little expensive.
| Filter Type | Diffusion (Grade 1/2) |
| Filter Material | Glass |
| Box Dimensions (LxWxH) | 4.4 x 2.8 x 0.6" |
Tiffen 58mm Black Satin 1/2 Filter
Delivery $4.90
My background is UK commercial and corporate production for over 15 years. I'm now a professor teaching video production in the communications department of US University . I still do commercial and documentary work on the side, to stay sharp and tick my professional development box.For years I've owned creative Tiffen filters in the form of Black Pro Mist 1/8, 1/4, 1/2. These are all great in narrative settings, but I was recently shooting a documentary about Idaho Dairymen, albeit in a cinematic style, and needed to reduce the native digital contrasty look of my BMPCC 4K. I was also using cine-modded Zeiss classic primes, which have their own sharp contrast to them.I wanted a filter that I could keep in my Tilta Mb-12 matte-box to more subtly do the job of ... MoreMy background is UK commercial and corporate production for over 15 years. I'm now a professor teaching video production in the communications department of US University . I still do commercial and documentary work on the side, to stay sharp and tick my professional development box.For years I've owned creative Tiffen filters in the form of Black Pro Mist 1/8, 1/4, 1/2. These are all great in narrative settings, but I was recently shooting a documentary about Idaho Dairymen, albeit in a cinematic style, and needed to reduce the native digital contrasty look of my BMPCC 4K. I was also using cine-modded Zeiss classic primes, which have their own sharp contrast to them.I wanted a filter that I could keep in my Tilta Mb-12 matte-box to more subtly do the job of lowering contrast, adding a very slight halation to highlights, to facilitate a nicer roll-off, without screaming filtered image! I'm using this with 100mm, 85mm, 50mm, 35mm, 25mm and 15mm primes. Before folks get snotty about swapping out filter strengths for focal lengths, I didn't feel the need to with this. I do consider that with the Black Pro Mists, but these new Tiffen filters are simply better at letting you get away with it when magnifying the creative effect.This can still be used on narrative work. An example of this filter and strength being used on narrative work across a range of primes would be British cinematographer, Si Bell using it on season 5 of the BBC show Peaky Blinders. He wanted to keep the larger than life atmosphere and peaky vibe established in previous seasons but inject a feeling of realism into the proceedings. This Tiffen 4 x 5.65 Black Satin Diffusion Filter (1/4 Density) helped him, in part, to achieve that look.I'm coupling this filter in the matte-box with Formatt Hitech Firecrest ND's 0.6, 0.9, 1.5 and the results are great.I can see myself opting for this filter more often, over the Black Pro Mists, even in my narrative and commercial work. It has much of the same effect without smashing the image so much and drawing attention to the filtration.Hope this is helpful to someone.
I have many filters that I've collected over the last few years.This one is just fantastic. I double it up with the Tiffen Smoque 1 and it's probably my favorite combo. Instead of describing what my eyes see, I'll post a couple of screenshots for you to see for yourself. I also bought recently the 1/2 version, which I Iike even more.
Adds a soft subtle glow with much less "subtle peen" than the Black Satin 1. If you aren't sure what I mean, the pattern on these make a subtle phallic shape in the flares. It's much less noticeable on the 1/4 and 1/8 but still there, very noticeable on the 1. Otherwise if there's no flare it adds a soft subtle glow to the image and removes some of that sharpness and clinical look. A little expensive.
Black Satin is a great filter that beautifully performs as advertised. I have as well Tiffen Glimmerglass and Black Pro-Mist. Each has its purposes and consistently enhances the look I'm going for in my photography. Love them all.
Black satin is one of my favorite diffusion filters and I think it looks great with digital sensors.It will bloom the highlights so you need to be careful in that regard but I think the black satin does a good job of not smearing the image too much while making skin look smoother.I would recommend taking a look at the sample footage from Tiffen before using to get an idea of how the filter affects the image.The only thing I would say is I wish B&H had the 1/2 black satin available in the store as well so that people could actually compare the product before buying.
This filter simply expands the camera’s dynamic range with 1 full stop in the highlights area. It affects in this way only the values that are one stop brighter than 18% gray, that is, brighter than caucasian skin. The skin and all other exposure zones darker will retain their own values. This is the reason why I keep using this filter even for outdoor nature shots, even if the producer recomends it mainly for portraits. For portraits it’s simple a must: contrasts are more pleasing and natural on the skin while the focus and sharpness is almost the same as it was before mounting the filter. I never made any portrait without this filter since I’ve discovered it, regardless of the position of the light in relation with camera, time of the day, or artistic lightning ... MoreThis filter simply expands the camera’s dynamic range with 1 full stop in the highlights area. It affects in this way only the values that are one stop brighter than 18% gray, that is, brighter than caucasian skin. The skin and all other exposure zones darker will retain their own values. This is the reason why I keep using this filter even for outdoor nature shots, even if the producer recomends it mainly for portraits. For portraits it’s simple a must: contrasts are more pleasing and natural on the skin while the focus and sharpness is almost the same as it was before mounting the filter. I never made any portrait without this filter since I’ve discovered it, regardless of the position of the light in relation with camera, time of the day, or artistic lightning effect.
I got the 1/4 filter and it is just the right amount of diffusion without being noticeable. The Black Satin diffuses the image without sacrificing the contrast and milking the image out. So just the right amount to take the edge off of modern cinema cameras.
I love this filter. It add a small amount of halation to smooth out highlights while also giving them a nicer roll off. It lowers optical resolution as well to take the edge off of modern lenses and digital sensors. This effect creates a more organic and pleasing image without looking filtered. The black element retains contrast so while it is softened and lowered it doesn't get milky like the black promist. I like the Satin 1 for close up shots and have ordered a 2 and 3 to use on wider lenses.
I initially loved this filter, until last week when I used it on a paid client shoot and noticed that there is a pattern of u-shaped bokeh artifacts in any image where a clear bokeh ball is rendered. I will definitely be removing this from my kit, as it’s not suitable for professional work unless you don’t mind delivering to clients with that pattern. It destroys portraits with bokeh. I also tested my lens with no filter, and with a diffusion filter from a different brand, and had no issue.. very disappointed as tiffen is supposedly the top of the line for diffusion filters..
There were not much reviews on the YouTube and other web sites about this strength of filter so it was hard to choose the right one.Search on Vimeo there many tests. Particularly strength of 1 I think the most convenient amount.The filter glass have some kinda grain on it you achieve desires affect. Something that I was not found during the reviews.
| Filter Type | Diffusion (Grade 1/2) |
| Filter Material | Glass |
| Box Dimensions (LxWxH) | 4.4 x 2.8 x 0.6" |
The Tiffen Black Satin Filter helps to reduce the overall contrast of an image and better control the highlights within a scene.
The Tiffen Black Satin Filter helps to reduce the overall contrast of an image and better control the highlights within a scene.
in 1 offers
The lowest price for Tiffen 58mm Black Satin 1/2 Filter, Base Models right now is $149.00 at RubberMonkey.com.au.
The all-time low was $100.31 on 26 Feb 2026 — today's price is 49% above the lowest ever. It has been notably cheaper before — worth setting a price alert.
Prices last updated 5 Mar 2026.
Tiffen 58mm Black Satin 1/2 Filter, Base Models
The Tiffen Black Satin Filter helps to reduce the overall contrast of an image and better control the highlights within a scene.
The Tiffen Black Satin Filter helps to reduce the overall contrast of an image and better control the highlights within a scene.
