There’s something quietly exciting about trying out new gear in familiar places—especially when that gear is as classic and simple as yellow filter photography. A few weeks ago, I finally got around to testing a Pig Iron Yellow Filter I’d picked up on eBay (also spotted it on Amazon). I paired it with my Zenza Bronica medium format camera, fitted with the 75mm lens, and headed to one of my favourite haunts: the old Roman Wall at Calleva Atrebatum, just outside Silchester.
Table of Contents
This post is part review, part reflection, and part introduction to Yellow Filter Photography, for those curious about how such a seemingly subtle accessory can shift the mood and outcome of your black and white film work.
What is Yellow Filter Photography?
In the world of black and white film photography, filters play a powerful but often underestimated role. A yellow filter is typically considered a mild contrast enhancer. It blocks a small amount of blue light, which slightly darkens skies, helps define clouds, and adds a gentle boost to mid tone separation—particularly useful in landscape photography or scenes with varied textures.
To put it simply, yellow filter photography offers a naturalistic but slightly more dramatic monochrome image. It doesn’t scream “filtered,” but it whispers “mood.”
If you’re used to shooting straight black and white film without filters, this is often the best first one to try. It’s like adding a soft seasoning to your visual dish, rather than a full-on sauce like an orange or red filter would be.
The Setup: Bronica, 75mm, and the Pig Iron Yellow Filter
I’ve had my Zenza Bronica for years, and it never fails to deliver that beautiful combination of weighty mechanical satisfaction and luscious 4.5×6 negatives. For this outing, I kept it simple—just the 75mm standard lens, and the Pig Iron Yellow Filter threaded on.
Why Pig Iron? Honestly, it was more about availability than anything. I stumbled across it on eBay and figured it was worth a go. I later found it listed on Amazon too. The build quality felt solid—threaded smoothly, no issues with the glass, and no strange colour casts (not that you’d want any colour cast in B&W, but budget filters can sometimes surprise you in weird ways). For something that cost less than a takeaway pizza, I was pleased.
I shot a roll of Kentmere Pan 100, a film I enjoy for its classic look and affordable price point. It’s a great everyday black and white stock, and I find it pairs beautifully with subtle contrast changes.
Development, Scanning, and Post-Processing Workflow
After shooting, I processed the Kentmere Pan 100 in Rodinal (1+25 dilution) for 9 minutes, with gentle agitation every 60 seconds. Rodinal’s known for sharp grain and edge contrast, which I find really complements the tonal shifts introduced by a yellow filter.
Once the negatives were dry, I scanned them using my Canon 5DS R paired with a Sigma 105mm Macro Lens, a setup that gives me beautiful control over frame alignment and focus accuracy. I capture RAW files using my custom scanning rig and convert the negatives digitally.
All post-processing was done on my iMac, primarily using Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, with help from Topaz Denoise AI and Topaz Sharpen AI for subtle refinements. My approach is always to retain a traditional film aesthetic while gently lifting clarity and detail where needed.
The Scene: Calleva Atrebatum and Familiar Light
Calleva is one of those places I return to again and again—not just because of the history (although wandering alongside walls that have stood since Roman times never gets old), but because the light there always plays nicely with film.
The tree line shifts with the seasons, and the old stone textures just soak up the grain. It’s a quiet spot, with open skies and weathered structures, perfect for seeing how a yellow filter would handle the contrast between sky and land, soft stone and tangled woodland.
Yellow Filter Film Photography: First Impressions in the Field
The moment I started metering, I remembered one of the key things to keep in mind when using any filter: exposure compensation. The Pig Iron Yellow Filter I used had a factor of about 1.5 stops, which I adjusted for manually. If you use TTL metering, this isn’t such a concern, but with a handheld meter and an old-school mindset, it’s worth remembering.
One thing I noticed straight away was how little interference the filter caused in the viewfinder. Some filters (especially darker ones like red) can dim things down noticeably, but this yellow was barely perceptible, which made composing and focusing just as easy as always.
Shooting was slow, deliberate, and calm. That’s one of the things I love most about medium format—you’re never in a rush.
Reviewing the Results
When I pulled the negatives from the tank, I could already see that familiar Rodinal clarity in the highlights. Once scanned, the benefits of yellow filter film photography became more apparent: the skies had just a touch more depth, the tree lines separated more distinctly, and the midtones carried that little extra crispness that can so easily be lost in flat light.
What I appreciated most was how natural everything still looked. This wasn’t a gimmick effect—it felt like the scene, just slightly more confident in its light and form.
Why Try Yellow Filter Film Photography?
If you’re just beginning to explore filter use in film photography, a yellow filter is an ideal starting point. Here’s why I think it’s worth having one in your bag:
✅ Subtle Contrast Boost
Perfect for landscapes and skies that need a touch more drama without losing natural tones.
✅ Better Tonal Separation
Helps with defining textures—stone, bark, foliage, and clouds all benefit from that slight lift in clarity.
✅ Gentle Learning Curve
Unlike stronger filters, it won’t radically change your exposures or your final image, so you can ease into understanding filter use.
✅ Affordable Entry Point
The Pig Iron filter, in particular, is budget-friendly, and frankly, does the job just fine for casual or experimental work.
Final Thoughts: Will I Keep Using It?
Absolutely. I wouldn’t reach for the yellow filter for every single shot, but it’s earned its place in my field kit. It adds just enough without overpowering the frame, and on days when the sky feels flat or the light is a bit too balanced, it gives me that slight edge I often look for in black and white photography.
There’s also something rewarding about making small, deliberate changes in your process and seeing how those choices play out later—especially in places you know like the back of your hand.
If you’ve never tried a yellow filter before, I’d encourage you to grab one—doesn’t have to be expensive—and spend a few hours with it somewhere you already know well. It’s not about transforming the scene; it’s about learning to read it a little more deeply.
Pig Iron Photographic Filters and a Few Related Accessories
| Product Name | Type | Sizes Available | Key Features | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pig Iron Yellow Y2 Pro Filter | Yellow Contrast Filter | 37mm, 39mm, 40.5mm, 46mm, 49mm, 52mm, 55mm, 58mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, 77mm, 82mm | Enhances contrast in black and white photography; reduces haze; improves sky definition. | eBay UK |
| Pig Iron Red R1 Pro Filter | Red Contrast Filter | 37mm, 39mm, 40.5mm, 46mm, 49mm, 52mm, 55mm, 58mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, 77mm, 82mm | Increases contrast; darkens skies; ideal for dramatic black and white landscapes. | The Photography Shop |
| Pig Iron Infrared R-72 Filter | Infrared Filter (720nm) | 49mm, 52mm, 55mm, 58mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, 77mm, 82mm | Blocks visible light below 720nm; allows infrared photography; made with Schott B270 glass. | The Photography Shop |
| Pig Iron FADE2BLACK Variable ND Filter | Variable Neutral Density | 49mm, 52mm, 55mm, 58mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, 77mm, 82mm | ND2 to ND400 range; ideal for motion blur and depth of field control in varying light conditions. | Amazon UK |
| Pig Iron ND1000 Filter | 10-Stop Neutral Density | 77mm | Reduces light by 10 stops; enables long exposure photography; minimal color cast. | eBay UK |
| Pig Iron Circular Polarizer Filter | Circular Polarizer | 37mm, 39mm, 40.5mm, 43mm, 46mm, 49mm, 52mm, 55mm, 58mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, 77mm, 82mm | Reduces reflections; enhances color saturation; multi-coated optical glass; waterproof and scratch-resistant. | Pig Iron EU |
| Pig Iron Split Focus Filter | Special Effects Filter | 52mm | Split-field design; allows simultaneous focus on near and distant subjects; creative effects. | eBay UK |
Please note that availability may vary based on the retailer and region. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it’s advisable to check with official Pig Iron retailers or authorised dealers.
Related Reads and Next Steps
If you enjoyed this post, keep an eye out for a future write-up where I compare the yellow filter to an orange filter on similar subjects. Also coming soon: a deeper dive into filter stacking (yes, it’s a thing).
Have questions about yellow filter film photography, or want to share your own test results? I’d love to hear from you—drop a comment or reach out via my Contact Form.
