There’s a good chance some of your favorite movies worked with Long Island’s The Tiffen Company to get on the silver screen.
Tiffen’s History
The company, which makes professional filters and other kinds of gear for photography and film, was founded in 1938 by brothers Nat, Leo, and Sol Tiffen. Nat’s grandson, Andrew Tiffen, is the current chief operating officer, making it a multigenerational family business.
“When the company first started, and over time, we were involved working with different camera companies to make lens barrels and other different things for them,” Andrew Tiffen told the Press. “It was really towards the late 40s, officially 1951, when Tiffen filters was launched, after my grandfather had realized that there was an opportunity for creating better quality filters.”
The company started in Manhattan, before moving to Brooklyn. It then started its story on Long Island in Roslyn, before moving to Hauppauge in 1979, where it has remained ever since. They also have a location in Burbank, California and a sales office in London.
What Tiffen Does
Tiffen’s main brand is camera filters – something that Nat Tiffen was presented with an Academy Award with for his ingenuity. But they have expanded to other products as well.
“Over the years, we’ve acquired other brands in the photographic and motion picture industry,” Tiffen continued. “Leading brands such as Steadicam, Domke camera bags, and Davison Sanford tripods.”
Some of the finest movies that audiences have enjoyed worked with Tiffen products, including Blade Runner 2049, Joker, the Rocky and Creed films, and several Marvel movies as well. This is thanks to connections in Hollywood that Nat Tiffen made himself.
“My grandfather kind of got us into the filter business at the time in Los Angeles,” Tiffen said. “The major player of filters was Harrison and Harrison. And so in order for us to get a foot in the ground, what my grandfather started to do was take trips out to LA to work with various cinematographers and find out what they needed and how to make a better product for them. He created a network of people who would ultimately lead our product.”
They also work with clients on a smaller scale, and many of their products are available via retail.
“While News 12, for example, wouldn’t come to our facility, they were probably using one of our filters on set,” Tiffen said. “We sell globally, not just to Long Island and New York City brands.”
Most of the products are made at their Hauppauge location.
For other stories about products that are fully made on Long Island, click here!
