This K&F Black Diffusion filter is an excellent piece of kit. It reduces contrast, making the blacks slightly greyer, and provides a soft bloom around the highlights. There are four strengths of filter available; from weakest to strongest, they are 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, and 1. This 1/8 filter is the weakest but it still makes a noticeable difference to the look of the images that you shoot with it.
I was able to test this side-by-side with a Tiffen Black Pro Mist filter, and the results of each filter are extremely similar to the point where I can't really see any difference in the image, and I certainly couldn't say that either one is better than the other. Both frames are made of an aluminum alloy, and I feel that any aluminum frame can benefit from a little grease, even if it's just grease from the skin of your fingers that you rub over the threads. More expensive filters have brass frames which tend to be a lot smoother and don't stick. The K&F filter has about 1.25" of deep machined grooves on each side of the filter, which provide excellent grip for your fingers to hold when screwing/unscrewing the filter.
One aspect in which K&F is the clear winner is that the K&F filter case is far superior to the Tiffen case; the Tiffen case is a square case in which the filter sits loose on a piece of styrofoam, whereas the K&F case is superbly designed to hold the filter very securely in place with a clever system of rubber grooves that can accommodate different filter sizes.
This does have a filter thread on the front so you can stack another 77mm filter on top of it.
Overall I find this to be an excellent quality filter that is pretty much on par with the quality of Tiffen filters. It's a useful tool to have in a camera kit and is worth investing in.
I was able to test this side-by-side with a Tiffen Black Pro Mist filter, and the results of each filter are extremely similar to the point where I can't really see any difference in the image, and I certainly couldn't say that either one is better than the other. Both frames are made of an aluminum alloy, and I feel that any aluminum frame can benefit from a little grease, even if it's just grease from the skin of your fingers that you rub over the threads. More expensive filters have brass frames which tend to be a lot smoother and don't stick. The K&F filter has about 1.25" of deep machined grooves on each side of the filter, which provide excellent grip for your fingers to hold when screwing/unscrewing the filter.
One aspect in which K&F is the clear winner is that the K&F filter case is far superior to the Tiffen case; the Tiffen case is a square case in which the filter sits loose on a piece of styrofoam, whereas the K&F case is superbly designed to hold the filter very securely in place with a clever system of rubber grooves that can accommodate different filter sizes.
This does have a filter thread on the front so you can stack another 77mm filter on top of it.
Overall I find this to be an excellent quality filter that is pretty much on par with the quality of Tiffen filters. It's a useful tool to have in a camera kit and is worth investing in.
13/03/2023
Get this one instead of the others marketed by SEVERAL influencers. Just get this one, it’s optically clear and does what it’s supposed to.
Works perfectly as advertised.
I normally DO NOT like putting glass in front of my very expensive lenses and body (Hasselblad), but when the client requires this look, this is the only filter I’ll reach for.
Works perfectly as advertised.
I normally DO NOT like putting glass in front of my very expensive lenses and body (Hasselblad), but when the client requires this look, this is the only filter I’ll reach for.
18/02/2023
I’ll be honest up front, I ordered this mistaking it for an ND filter, I’ve decided to keep this though as I really like the effect it produces.
I’ve been getting into landscape photography and wanted an Nd filter but ordered this by mistake, after having a play and wanting to eventually push into portrait I decided to give it a try.
The results are surprising good, it adds a nice glow to bright light sources that give the images some warmth.
The filter is presented in a lovely case with rubber wedges inside that hold the filter in place so it doesn’t slip around.
I can see me using this for product photography and portraits and so far have really enjoyed it
Pros
- nice glow
- gives images a warmer feel
- excellent storage case
Cons
- none ( although keep in mind you may need to adjust exposure times slightly due to very minimal tint )
I’ve been getting into landscape photography and wanted an Nd filter but ordered this by mistake, after having a play and wanting to eventually push into portrait I decided to give it a try.
The results are surprising good, it adds a nice glow to bright light sources that give the images some warmth.
The filter is presented in a lovely case with rubber wedges inside that hold the filter in place so it doesn’t slip around.
I can see me using this for product photography and portraits and so far have really enjoyed it
Pros
- nice glow
- gives images a warmer feel
- excellent storage case
Cons
- none ( although keep in mind you may need to adjust exposure times slightly due to very minimal tint )
21/01/2023
K&F contacted me to test the new Black Mist filter.
It is a filter designed for videos and to give a "vintage" touch to the final result.
In short: beautiful result even for photography. It is a useful filter for portraits or for landscape or storytelling reportage. You do not lose sharpness and you get a much less "shot" light that also expands in the shaded area.
It is a filter to be used in photography with large apertures and which "tells" an atmosphere.
But let's start from the beginning.
Packaging / handling: In addition to the plastic box, the filter is inserted in a very resistant and protective snap-on case. The filter is screw-type (rightly because it was created for videomakers and in any case up to a diameter of 82). I would have preferred a cardboard box. But the case that you can see in the photo (the round one) is very useful and sturdy. The filter is resistant and fits well to all the lenses to which I have mounted it.
Technical review:
It has no dominant details, so it leaves the colors similar to the photo taken without a filter. Great!
It does not lose light, there is no need to increase the ISO when it is mounted. Great!
The sharpness in the details (and here comes the beauty) remains almost unchanged. You DO NOT lose sharpness in the areas in focus even if I would not use it in ultra-defined landscape photography, but for a storytelling, outdoor or portrait set absolutely yes.
Autofocus is unaffected by the filter, at least not on the Nikon D750 with fixed lenses.
Usage / Effect: it is a filter that gives a “glow” effect to photos, very particular especially for videos and for portraits in harsh light or backlight.
The highlights are dimmed but without becoming dull, moreover the light "enters" the shadows, giving a very soft "glow" effect. Great for portraits or to give a more dreamy atmosphere, it removes clarity from the image in high contrast areas.
In the photos you can see a couple of unfiltered / filtered comparisons, two portrait photos set and what comes to you.
Result in short: it is a filter that you do not think can enter your kit, but when it does it has such a particular result that you would try it in any situation. A must try!
It is a filter designed for videos and to give a "vintage" touch to the final result.
In short: beautiful result even for photography. It is a useful filter for portraits or for landscape or storytelling reportage. You do not lose sharpness and you get a much less "shot" light that also expands in the shaded area.
It is a filter to be used in photography with large apertures and which "tells" an atmosphere.
But let's start from the beginning.
Packaging / handling: In addition to the plastic box, the filter is inserted in a very resistant and protective snap-on case. The filter is screw-type (rightly because it was created for videomakers and in any case up to a diameter of 82). I would have preferred a cardboard box. But the case that you can see in the photo (the round one) is very useful and sturdy. The filter is resistant and fits well to all the lenses to which I have mounted it.
Technical review:
It has no dominant details, so it leaves the colors similar to the photo taken without a filter. Great!
It does not lose light, there is no need to increase the ISO when it is mounted. Great!
The sharpness in the details (and here comes the beauty) remains almost unchanged. You DO NOT lose sharpness in the areas in focus even if I would not use it in ultra-defined landscape photography, but for a storytelling, outdoor or portrait set absolutely yes.
Autofocus is unaffected by the filter, at least not on the Nikon D750 with fixed lenses.
Usage / Effect: it is a filter that gives a “glow” effect to photos, very particular especially for videos and for portraits in harsh light or backlight.
The highlights are dimmed but without becoming dull, moreover the light "enters" the shadows, giving a very soft "glow" effect. Great for portraits or to give a more dreamy atmosphere, it removes clarity from the image in high contrast areas.
In the photos you can see a couple of unfiltered / filtered comparisons, two portrait photos set and what comes to you.
Result in short: it is a filter that you do not think can enter your kit, but when it does it has such a particular result that you would try it in any situation. A must try!
15/11/2022
I ordered the 55mm Black Soft Diffusion 1/8 effects filter to use with my Nikon D5600. I'm a novice user but I enjoy the effects of this filter, especially in full daylight conditions. The effect is subtle but effective. There's a nice bloom and minimal color change. No loss in image quality observed. Threads on the filter made it easy to screw onto my camera's lens. Came well packaged. Useful filter to have on hand for a variety of settings.
20/10/2022
K & F contacted me to test the new Black Mist filter.
It is a filter designed for videos and to give a "vintage" touch to the final result.
In short: beautiful result even for photography. It is a useful filter for portraits or for landscape or storytelling reportage. You do not lose sharpness and you get a much less "shot" light that also expands in the shaded area.
It is a filter to be used in photography with large apertures and which "tells" an atmosphere.
But let's start from the beginning.
Packaging / handling: In addition to the plastic box, the filter is inserted in a very resistant and protective snap-on case. The filter is screw-type (rightly because it was created for videomakers and in any case up to a diameter of 82). I would have preferred a cardboard box. But the case that you can see in the photo (the round one) is very useful and sturdy. The filter is resistant and fits well to all the lenses to which I have mounted it.
Technical review:
It has no dominant details, so it leaves the colors similar to the photo taken without a filter. Great!
It does not lose light, there is no need to increase the ISO when it is mounted. Great!
The sharpness in the details (and here comes the beauty) remains almost unchanged. You DO NOT lose sharpness in the areas in focus even if I would not use it in ultra-defined landscape photography, but for a storytelling, outdoor or portrait set absolutely yes.
Autofocus is unaffected by the filter, at least not on the Nikon D750 with fixed lenses.
Usage / Effect: it is a filter that gives a “glow” effect to photos, very particular especially for videos and for portraits in harsh light or backlight.
The highlights are dimmed but without becoming dull, moreover the light "enters" the shadows, giving a very soft "glow" effect. Great for portraits or to give a more dreamy atmosphere, it removes clarity from the image in high contrast areas.
In the photos you can see a couple of unfiltered / filtered comparisons, two portrait photos set and what comes to you.
Result in short: it is a filter that you do not think can enter your kit, but when it does it has such a particular result that you would try it in any situation. A must try!
It is a filter designed for videos and to give a "vintage" touch to the final result.
In short: beautiful result even for photography. It is a useful filter for portraits or for landscape or storytelling reportage. You do not lose sharpness and you get a much less "shot" light that also expands in the shaded area.
It is a filter to be used in photography with large apertures and which "tells" an atmosphere.
But let's start from the beginning.
Packaging / handling: In addition to the plastic box, the filter is inserted in a very resistant and protective snap-on case. The filter is screw-type (rightly because it was created for videomakers and in any case up to a diameter of 82). I would have preferred a cardboard box. But the case that you can see in the photo (the round one) is very useful and sturdy. The filter is resistant and fits well to all the lenses to which I have mounted it.
Technical review:
It has no dominant details, so it leaves the colors similar to the photo taken without a filter. Great!
It does not lose light, there is no need to increase the ISO when it is mounted. Great!
The sharpness in the details (and here comes the beauty) remains almost unchanged. You DO NOT lose sharpness in the areas in focus even if I would not use it in ultra-defined landscape photography, but for a storytelling, outdoor or portrait set absolutely yes.
Autofocus is unaffected by the filter, at least not on the Nikon D750 with fixed lenses.
Usage / Effect: it is a filter that gives a “glow” effect to photos, very particular especially for videos and for portraits in harsh light or backlight.
The highlights are dimmed but without becoming dull, moreover the light "enters" the shadows, giving a very soft "glow" effect. Great for portraits or to give a more dreamy atmosphere, it removes clarity from the image in high contrast areas.
In the photos you can see a couple of unfiltered / filtered comparisons, two portrait photos set and what comes to you.
Result in short: it is a filter that you do not think can enter your kit, but when it does it has such a particular result that you would try it in any situation. A must try!
30/08/2022
I start by saying that this filter will remain forever on my Canon 24-70 and that I am satisfied and amazed by the effect it gives to my photographs.
The filter comes in a hard case that already differentiates it from low-end filters: it is comfortable to use and has a non-slip part with different notches for multiple filter sizes. The construction is excellent and can be seen immediately from the layer applied to the surface which is a professional tool.
If you are a photography geek like me, to give an effect similar to diffusion / glow, you have already tried things like petroleum jelly on the lens, stockings pulled on a filter or various films. Here this filter is anything but. It has a sneaky effect and does NOT degrade the image. The edges remain sharp while the colors seem to fade slightly inside the photo, restoring the quality that was had with the use of film: really nice! I bought it for photography in broad daylight, but surely one of its best applications is with lights at night where you can appreciate more this diffusion of color and brightness. Despite being an overused term, this filter lends an organic feel to digital photographic pulp. I would like to point out that it does not have a blatantly and vulgarly widespread effect, but visible without attracting attention. Highly recommended for videos too!
The filter comes in a hard case that already differentiates it from low-end filters: it is comfortable to use and has a non-slip part with different notches for multiple filter sizes. The construction is excellent and can be seen immediately from the layer applied to the surface which is a professional tool.
If you are a photography geek like me, to give an effect similar to diffusion / glow, you have already tried things like petroleum jelly on the lens, stockings pulled on a filter or various films. Here this filter is anything but. It has a sneaky effect and does NOT degrade the image. The edges remain sharp while the colors seem to fade slightly inside the photo, restoring the quality that was had with the use of film: really nice! I bought it for photography in broad daylight, but surely one of its best applications is with lights at night where you can appreciate more this diffusion of color and brightness. Despite being an overused term, this filter lends an organic feel to digital photographic pulp. I would like to point out that it does not have a blatantly and vulgarly widespread effect, but visible without attracting attention. Highly recommended for videos too!
20/06/2022
I’ll be honest up front, I ordered this mistaking it for an ND filter, I’ve decided to keep this though as I really like the effect it produces.
I’ve been getting into landscape photography and wanted an Nd filter but ordered this by mistake, after having a play and wanting to eventually push into portrait I decided to give it a try.
The results are surprising good, it adds a nice glow to bright light sources that give the images some warmth.
The filter is presented in a lovely case with rubber wedges inside that hold the filter in place so it doesn’t slip around.
I can see me using this for product photography and portraits and so far have really enjoyed it
Pros
- nice glow
- gives images a warmer feel
- excellent storage case
Cons
- none ( although keep in mind you may need to adjust exposure times slightly due to very minimal tint )
I’ve been getting into landscape photography and wanted an Nd filter but ordered this by mistake, after having a play and wanting to eventually push into portrait I decided to give it a try.
The results are surprising good, it adds a nice glow to bright light sources that give the images some warmth.
The filter is presented in a lovely case with rubber wedges inside that hold the filter in place so it doesn’t slip around.
I can see me using this for product photography and portraits and so far have really enjoyed it
Pros
- nice glow
- gives images a warmer feel
- excellent storage case
Cons
- none ( although keep in mind you may need to adjust exposure times slightly due to very minimal tint )
07/05/2022
I've used this filter a couple of times for my creative photography and videography in a couple of instances and i can tell you K&F Concept nailed it again.
I can't post images of content i was paid for due to contractual reasons, but this is definitely a professional grade filter.
I noticed no image resolution degradation, no white balance issues, no vignetting or distortion when the filter was on.
It arrived on a rather large protecting case that i discarded right away and it was unwieldy, hard and larger than it needed to be, but i own a K & F filter pouch (shown on pictures, not included with the filter) that i use.
Despite not liking the carrying case, this is a GREAT Black Mist filter, it feels premium on your hands, mounting was smooth, it feels sturdy and while i did NOT test scratch resistance i trust K&F Concept products.
Great value for a premium filter, i would recommend it to anyone who is in the market for one.
I can't post images of content i was paid for due to contractual reasons, but this is definitely a professional grade filter.
I noticed no image resolution degradation, no white balance issues, no vignetting or distortion when the filter was on.
It arrived on a rather large protecting case that i discarded right away and it was unwieldy, hard and larger than it needed to be, but i own a K & F filter pouch (shown on pictures, not included with the filter) that i use.
Despite not liking the carrying case, this is a GREAT Black Mist filter, it feels premium on your hands, mounting was smooth, it feels sturdy and while i did NOT test scratch resistance i trust K&F Concept products.
Great value for a premium filter, i would recommend it to anyone who is in the market for one.
25/04/2022