Black Satin 1/4 Filter Tiffen's Black Satin filters have been designed to affect two aspects of diffusion in combination. The objective is to reduce optical resolution and to add a subtle granular contrast reduction by adding a dampened light dispersing halation element in the filter, rather than the smoother, whiter regular Satin. The optical resolution reduction portion of the filter increases in each density of filter and is so fine that it has the added benefit of not showing up in picture when your aperture is stopped down. The halation portion is more muted in appearance than the velvety shroud that is in the regular Satin both of which remain as a light constant in either filter, never overpowering the image or oversaturating the optical diffusion effect. This enables the filter to deliver a matte, smooth look and a delicate glow to highlights with minimal appearance, and results in the image never looking over-filtered or having the appearance of being too heavily diffused. This filter has a grade of 1/4. Grades of 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 2, 3, and 4 are also available where this filter type's effect becomes approximately twice as strong with each grade number increase