I bought this filter to remove the sharpness and the too digital look that today's cameras have. The quality of this Black Pro Mist from KeF is excellent, the result is identical to the more expensive filters from Nisi.
The effect it gives is mainly marked when we frame light sources, creates the halo of light around the main source, whether it is the sun or an artificial light.
Great for giving a vintage and particular touch to your photos / videos
The effect it gives is mainly marked when we frame light sources, creates the halo of light around the main source, whether it is the sun or an artificial light.
Great for giving a vintage and particular touch to your photos / videos
28/05/2023
As most K&F products, the build quality of this filter is quite nice. The threads are smooth, filter ring is powder coated and then optics... well, hard to say they're clear or anything since they're a diffusion/soft filter, but the picture quality is still quite good. More on that later.
The filter comes in a circular filter case that is one of the neatest filter cases I've seen! If they don't sell those as products yet, they honestly could! There are raised partial circles that allow you to place all sized filters in the case, unlike most with a foam cutout (which, admittedly offers more padding). It would be nice for the filter case to have a small sticker on it to indicate what is basically on the box--"NANO series 52mm MRC Black Diffusion 1/4" in my case. In fact the outer box has that listed a few different times, including twice on the sticker label... one on the case would be even better.
The optics look like a clear glass with a bunch of small grey dirt specks. That is the intended design. The effect it creates is a soft diffuse glow; a bloom effect. The contrast is lowered when using this black diffusion filter and overall it looks like a similar effect to a soft filter. The sharpness at the point of focus isn't too affected though, so it can still be used in portraiture as well as in other creative photography. Light sources will bloom when looking through this filter. I find the 1/4 strength to still be quite useful while the 1/2 an 1 may be more niche.
The filter comes in a circular filter case that is one of the neatest filter cases I've seen! If they don't sell those as products yet, they honestly could! There are raised partial circles that allow you to place all sized filters in the case, unlike most with a foam cutout (which, admittedly offers more padding). It would be nice for the filter case to have a small sticker on it to indicate what is basically on the box--"NANO series 52mm MRC Black Diffusion 1/4" in my case. In fact the outer box has that listed a few different times, including twice on the sticker label... one on the case would be even better.
The optics look like a clear glass with a bunch of small grey dirt specks. That is the intended design. The effect it creates is a soft diffuse glow; a bloom effect. The contrast is lowered when using this black diffusion filter and overall it looks like a similar effect to a soft filter. The sharpness at the point of focus isn't too affected though, so it can still be used in portraiture as well as in other creative photography. Light sources will bloom when looking through this filter. I find the 1/4 strength to still be quite useful while the 1/2 an 1 may be more niche.
28/05/2023
I got this to use with my Fuji xf 35mmf1.4 (55mm thread) I love the vintage look I can achieve with it. Think smoky barroom, portraits behind a candle, any photo where you might want a little extra glow from the lights. I have a much more expensive 72mm pro mist filter, but this one gives me just the look I want when combined with the magic of the xf 35 1.4. Recommended
28/05/2023
Nice filter. Definitely comes handy in certain situations. Great for sharp lenses especially with no character. This adds some mood to it. It’s nice to have, looks well made and o love that I can apply to a lens and still be able to use the lens cover over the filter when not in use. I use it on my Sony 18-105 f/4 and the sigma 18-35 f/1.8 and am quite happy with the result. In my images the last image is the one without the filter, hopefully you can get an idea what it does.
27/05/2023
I bought this 72MM filter supplied with the Sigma 18-35 and it is now indispensable for my video productions. It gives an analog effect that makes the images softer, the action around the lights is perfect and not annoying, moreover the production quality is high. It has a double thread to be able to overlap multiple filters and is equipped with a rigid case, for safe transport, with an anti-slip triangle inside (therefore usable with different filter sizes). At the current price it is a must.
27/05/2023
While they are not B&W or even Tiffen, I do like K&F Concept filters. Their filters tend to be well made, have a minimum of distortion and colorization especially considering their reasonable price. The 52mm Nano-X Black Soft Filter is another example of a well made, inexpensive filter.
Keep in mind that this is a special effects filter. It won’t be much value in normal, everyday photography. It is a Diffusion Effect filter. These filters were very popular in Hollywood films especially in the 1940s and 1950s. The were used for reducing blemishes and wrinkles on actor’s faces (especially on women) and for creating glowing effects. However, if you need or want these kinds of effects in your images, the K&F Concept 52mm Nano-X Black Soft Filter will do the job at a reasonable cost.
Keep in mind that this is a special effects filter. It won’t be much value in normal, everyday photography. It is a Diffusion Effect filter. These filters were very popular in Hollywood films especially in the 1940s and 1950s. The were used for reducing blemishes and wrinkles on actor’s faces (especially on women) and for creating glowing effects. However, if you need or want these kinds of effects in your images, the K&F Concept 52mm Nano-X Black Soft Filter will do the job at a reasonable cost.
27/05/2023
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!
26/05/2023
I ordered this for my husband and he loves this filter. It has taken some steps out of his editing process. He likes this filter, because it does so much during photo shoots that he doesn’t have to waste time fixing small imperfections during editing. He says he noticed a big difference in the quality of his photos pre editing. The filter is thin and fits well on his camera. The quality of this filter isn’t bad. It seems to be holding up well and not showing signs of wear and tear. Great product!
26/05/2023
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!
25/05/2023