Quick Answer
Choose the Tiffen 55mm Neutral Density 0.6 for even light reduction across the whole frame, ideal for portraits or video. Pick the Tiffen 49mm Graduated Neutral Density 0.6 to balance a bright sky with a darker foreground in landscapes.
Key Difference: Even vs. Graduated Reduction
The core difference is how each filter reduces light. The Tiffen 55mm ND 0.6 is a solid filter, meaning it reduces light evenly across the entire image. This is perfect for using a wide aperture in bright conditions or for creating motion blur. The Tiffen 49mm Graduated ND 0.6, on the other hand, is clear at one end and dark at the other, with a smooth transition in between. This allows you to darken a bright sky while leaving the foreground unaffected.
When to Use Each Filter
Your choice depends entirely on your scene. Use a solid ND filter when the entire frame is evenly lit, such as in a portrait or a busy city street. Use a graduated ND filter when there is a distinct brightness difference, like a bright sky above a darker landscape. The graduated filter is a landscape photographer's essential tool.
Trade-offs at a Glance
- Light Reduction Pattern: Solid ND: Even reduction across the entire frame. Graduated ND: Reduces light only in the dark half, with a smooth transition. Choose the pattern that matches your scene's lighting.
- Primary Use Case: Solid ND: Portraits, video, long exposures in even light. Graduated ND: Landscapes with a bright sky and darker foreground. Your subject dictates the filter.
- Filter Size Limitation: The solid ND is a 55mm filter. The graduated ND is a 49mm filter. Ensure your lens has the correct filter thread size. Check your lens's filter thread diameter before purchasing.
Product Facts
-
Tiffen 55mm Neutral Density 0.6: The Tiffen 55mm Neutral Density 0.6 reduces light evenly without changing color, helping to eliminate overly bright, washed-out images. This allows you to use a wider aperture or slower shutter speed in bright light, giving you more creative control over depth of field and motion.
Tiffen 55mm Neutral Density 0.6
-
Tiffen 49mm Graduated 0.6 Neutral Density Filter: The Tiffen 49mm Graduated Neutral Density 0.6 is part clear and part neutral density with a smooth transition, often best for balancing sky to foreground. This lets you properly expose both the bright sky and the darker foreground in a single shot, avoiding a blown-out sky or a muddy foreground.
Tiffen 49mm Graduated 0.6 Neutral Density Filter
Which Filter Fits You?
Best for
- Portrait and event photographers who need to control depth of field in bright sun
- Videographers who want to maintain a 180-degree shutter rule
- Landscape photographers who frequently shoot scenes with a bright sky and dark foreground
Not ideal for
- Photographers who need to balance a bright sky and foreground in a single shot (choose the graduated ND)
- Photographers who need even light reduction across the entire frame (choose the solid ND)
