Quick answer
Choose the Tiffen 85B if you need true color conversion for tungsten-balanced film outdoors; choose the Tiffen North Star if you want a dreamy, romantic starburst effect with a subtle warm character.
Different tools for different jobs
The Tiffen 85B and Tiffen North Star both add warmth, but they solve completely different problems. The 85B is a color conversion filter built to correct a blue cast when using tungsten-balanced film in daylight. The North Star is a specialty effect filter that creates asymmetrical starbursts with an enchanted, storybook feel.
If you are shooting portraits outdoors on tungsten film, the 85B is the workhorse that makes skin tones look natural. If you are chasing a romantic, fairy-tale look with glimmering highlights, the North Star adds that magic without shifting the overall color balance drastically.
Trade-offs at a glance
- Color accuracy vs. creative effect: The 85B is a precision tool for color correction, while the North Star is a creative filter that adds a signature look. Choose based on whether you need correction or artistry.
- Daylight shooting on tungsten film: If you are shooting with tungsten-balanced film outdoors, the 85B is the only one that will give you correct colors. The North Star will not fix the blue cast. Always carry the 85B for outdoor tungsten film shoots.
- Highlight rendering: The North Star transforms bright points into floating, asymmetrical starbursts. This can be enchanting, but it may distract in scenes where you want natural highlights. Test the North Star on a few frames before committing to the look.
Product facts
-
Tiffen 85B Colour Conversion Filter: The Tiffen 85B converts 5500K daylight down to 3200K tungsten balance, eliminating the blue cast from shooting tungsten-balanced film outdoors. This gives you natural, cinematic colors instead of a cold, blue-tinted image.
Tiffen 85B Colour Conversion Filter
-
Tiffen North Star Filter: The Tiffen North Star uses twin etched elements to split light rays, creating asymmetrical starbursts that float away from the source with a dreamy, romantic quality. It adds a subtle, surreal sparkle to highlights, perfect for enchanted or storybook scenes.
Tiffen North Star Filter
Which filter fits you?
Best for
- Photographers shooting tungsten-balanced film outdoors who need accurate color
- Anyone wanting a dreamy, romantic starburst effect on highlights
Not for
- The 85B is not for creative special effects; it is a correction tool.
- The North Star is not for color correction; it will not fix a blue cast.