This 165 x 165mm Hitech Firecrest ND Filter for Solar Photography 13-Stopis a solid neutral density filter providing a 13-stop reduction in exposure. This 3.9 density creates a darkening of the entire image, allowing you to photograph with a wider aperture or longer shutter speed than normally required. By slowing your exposure time or increasing your aperture, you are able to control depth of field and convey movement more easily.

The design of this filter has been optimized for use with digital sensors and promote nearly flat attenuation of visible, UV, and infrared light. Due to imaging sensors' greater susceptibility to infrared light, compared to traditional film, color casts can occur when photographing darker subjects that require increased exposure times. This filter provides a high level of neutrality across all three spectrums in order to eliminate color casts and ensure cleaner, truer blacks.

Applied to the outside of the SCHOTT Superwite glass construction is a 15-layer Firecrest multicoating, which helps to minimize reflections and flare in order maintain truer colors and contrast. The multicoating is also scratch resistant and hydrophobic to benefit the overall durability of the filter. It measures 6.5 x 6.5" / 165 x 165mm and is 0.08" / 2mm-thick, making it compatible with the Lucroit 165mm Filter Holder.

This filter is designed specifically for photography applications. This filter is not suitable for direct solar viewing with the naked eye, including with optical viewfinders.

3.9 Optical Density    15-Layer Coating on Outside of Filter    Hydrophobic and Scratch Resistant    2mm-Thick SCHOTT Superwite Glass    Increase Exposure Length    Greater Control Over Exposures    Neutral Results Across All Spectrums    Fits Lucroit 165mm Filter Holder    Includes Pouch

ND 3.9 filter darkens the image, allowing you to photograph with a longer shutter speed or wider aperture than normally required.

Providing a 13 stop exposure reduction, this filter allows you to control depth of field and convey movement more easily.

Attenuates infrared light, as well as visible and UV wavelengths, to maintain color neutrality and suppress color casts due to increased exposure lengths.

The 15-layer Firecrest coating has been applied directly to the outside of the filter glass by way of a vacuum-formed, hard-coated, electrolytic process. The multicoating is water and scratch resistant for greater overall durability.

SCHOTT Superwite glass promotes maintained image clarity and its 2mm-thick design is compatible with the Lucroit 165mm Filter Holder.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Is this intended for solar shooting?

A: The Haida 77mm NanoPro One Million X Edition Filter is a 20 stop filter and any filter over 16 stops is safe for solar use.

Q: 2. Does this meet the ISO 12312-2 standard?

A: The Tiffen Solar ND Filter (58mm, 18-Stop, Special 50th Anniversary Edition) is not ISO 12312-2 compliant.

Q: 3. Is this suitable for solar photography including eclipse photos? The description says so, but there is a contradictory warning

A: This Tiffen Solar ND Filter is suitable for photographing Solar eclipse, the warning is towards the using the filter as glass to look through with your eyes- that's what the warning is about. You shall never use the photo filters for gazing at the Sun or Solar eclips nor looking through the view finder. Most photographers use time-lapse function for shooting Eclipse. For previewing the Sun you can use Solar Binoculars https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/solar-viewing-binoculars/ci/31714 , for more information please, refer to our Solar Eclipse guide https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/tips-and-solutions/8-lessons-learned-when-i-photographed-a-total-solar-eclipse

Q: 4. Is this filter ISO 12312-2:2015 compliant?

A: No, the Tiffen Solar ND Filter (67mm, 18-Stop, Special 50th Anniversary Edition) is not ISO 12312-2 compliant and therefore not safe for direct viewing of the Sun. The filter, like most on the market, will protect your camera and allows for safe solar photography only. It's advised that you still wear protective eyewear.

Q: 5. will the 46mm filter work in the drop-in slot of the sigma 300-800 lens?

A: The Tiffen Solar ND Filter (46mm, 18-Stop, Special 50th Anniversary Edition) will fit in the drop in slot of the Sigma 300-800mm lens. However, a solar filter needs to be placed on the front of a lens in order to prevent damage to the lens or camera. You can use this MrStarGuy Natural Light Adjustable Solar Filter (145-175mm OD) on the front of your lens: https://bhpho.to/4bCo9pp

Q: 6. Is this filter blocking infrared and UV rays as well? I read those could damage a camera sensor.

A: Unfortunately, the Tiffen Solar ND Filter (77mm, 18-Stop, Special 50th Anniversary Edition) does not block infrared and UV rays.

Q: 7. Hi! How can I tell if this will fit onto a Sony 4.5-6.3/55-210 Optical Steadyshot lens? Thank you so much in advance.

A: The Sony E 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS Lens (Black) has a front thread of 49mm. The Tiffen Solar ND Filter (77mm, 18-Stop, Special 50th Anniversary Edition) will be too large for this lens. Tiffen makes the Tiffen Solar ND Filter (49mm, 18-Stop, Special 50th Anniversary Edition). Please review this link to find the correct filter size: https://bhpho.to/3vpdzBY.

Q: 8. Is this filter safe for solar eclipse photography?

A: Haida 95mm NanoPro One Million X Edition ND Filter (20 Stop) BH #HAHD460795 is not rated for solar photography no.

Q: 9. Can this filter be used to good effect other than sunrise and sunset?

A: You could use it whenever you have a very bright light source of light in the frame. This would tame some of that brightness.

Q: 10. Does this filter have front threads for attaching a screw-on lens hood? I intend to use it with a 600mm mirror lens.

A: Yes, the Tiffen Solar ND Filter (95mm, 18-Stop, Special 50th Anniversary Edition) has 95mm front threads.