K&F Concept 1/4 Black Pro Mist Filter - Review With Sample Images
For photographers, the world of filters can be confusing at times, when do you need one? which one is right for me? Black mist filters have risen in popularity over the last few years and you may be wondering if they’re worth sticking on the front of your expensive lenses. Hopefully this blog post answers any of your questions while giving you a real world insight into my usage with K&F Concept’s 1/4 strength black mist filter.
All of the none product images throughout this post were shot using the 1/4 Pro Black Mist Nano-X Series Filter from K&F Concept, at the time of writing this post I have been using this particular filter for a few months for the majority of my photography.
My real world experience with K&F’s filter
Over the last few months, only a handful of my photographs have been taken without K&F’s black mist filter. This isn’t because I feel I need the filter on my lens, but rather because I’m trying to use it as much as possible to form a final opinion on how it works for me and my images. A huge indicator of my experience so far is that I haven’t instantly removed it from my camera and dismissed it. I also haven’t experienced it ruining any of my photos, which is the absolute number-one thing you don’t want from a filter.
The overall quality of the product is fantastic. What can I say? It’s metal and glass, and it looks and feels like a premium filter. Probably the most noteworthy comment I can make about this particular filter is the case that’s included with it. The rubber design inside the case allows you to stack multiple filters of different thread sizes in the same circular box, so you could theoretically house multiple black mist filters of different sizes for your lenses, or just use it as a handy case to store other filters too.
My highest praise so far is that when I have taken photographs using this filter, knowing there was no need for it to be on my lens at the time (because the particular scene I was shooting had no areas that would be dramatically affected by it), the images came out looking almost as if I didn’t have a filter on at all. Of course, the drop in contrast was present (read on for more info on that), but it’s really nice to know you don’t have to take this filter on and off your lens all day depending on what and when you are taking photos.
Is this particular filter worth the price?
In short, yes, but I won't say that black mist filters are essential for all photographers. There are definitely more important pieces of gear to invest in first. However, depending on your specific needs and creative goals, and if you've already got the must-have items, a black mist filter can be a worthwhile investment for the right photographer. If your photography style lends itself well to the unique, filmic look that black mist filters provide, then go ahead! I think this particular K&F filter is especially good value, especially considering the frequent discounts on their website.
It's important to note that black mist filters vary widely in price. You can find them on Amazon for as little as £20, while premium brands offer versions for £100 odd or more. K&F often strikes a good balance between price and quality, offering products that are more affordable than premium options without sacrificing too much quality.
Be aware that cheaper camera filters, including black mist, ND, and others, can significantly degrade image quality with severe color casts and a lack of sharpness. I still remember my first 10-stop ND filter, which caused such severe vignetting that the images were unusable. This applies to all camera gear: it's better to invest in fewer, higher-quality items than to rush and buy cheaper, lower-quality products. Delayed gratification and all that!
So far, I have shot landscapes, city, street, and lifestyle photography with this filter, and it has paid off in all situations. The one environment I’m yet to shoot with this filter, though, is night scenes, specifically in a city environment where there are lots of neon lights, street lights, etc., which is typically where these filters will show their biggest attributes. So stay tuned for a future blog post where I put this filter to the test at night.
Although I’m a photographer first, I have also found this filter extremely helpful for video work, filming talking head or b-roll segments with a lot of light flooding into the scene has really added that subtle hazy touch to footage that can often look harsh and overly digital.
One of the biggest questions people ask when it comes to different filters is ‘‘how’s the vignetting?’’ - Well for the first time in a long time I have not experienced any results with this filter where vignetting was a problem on my images. I wouldn’t go as far to say its none existent and of course your lens is also going to play a role in this too, but its very.. very very minimal.
What do black mist filters do?
Black mist filters reduce contrast and add a soft hazy effect to the mid-tones and highlights of your images. This is going to be most apparent in the brightest areas of your frame, highlights will appear slightly bloomed (think of street lights in the fog) and sharp textured areas may render slightly softer. They typically make images look and feel more cinematic, however keep in mind that when contrast is lowered throughout an image, so is the saturation.
Black mist filters are available in various different strengths so results will vary depending on the level you choose, some scenes you photograph may look like they have not been effected by the filter at all, as the lightning conditions you’re shooting in still play a major role on wether the filter effects your images and in which areas or not. For example the effect will be very obvious if you were to shoot neon signs at night with a black mist filter.
How do black mist filters work?
Unlike traditional ND filters that are tinted to reduce the overall amount of light entering your lens, black mist filters only reduce light in specific areas of an image via black particles deposited in the glass that diffuse and scatter light across the scene. I'm sure the manufacturing process is more complex than I can put into words, but that's probably all you need to know unless you're itching to know the specifics of how they're made.
Why do I shoot with the 1/4 strength?
To be honest, I took a gamble on the 1/4 strength when I chose my filter. I knew I didn't want the effect on my images to be too obvious or over the top. You don't want your viewers' eyes to get caught up in the blooming. The best effects are often the ones that are so subtle you don't even notice them, so starting somewhere in the middle of the strength range was an ideal choice for me. 1/4 strength may sound like it would do very little to images, but check out the examples below for a with- and without-filter comparison showing the blooming to the highlights.
Without filter
With K&F Concept 1/4 Black Pro Mist Filter
Half and half
The effect may not be for everybody..
I realise I’m speaking very highly of the effect black mist filters give off in this post, but if you're thinking of purchasing one, make sure to consume a lot of images shot with them first. For some photographers, it may be a bit like adding too much salt to your soup—a pinch can enhance the flavor, but a whole shaker can ruin the whole dish. So, if you're the type of photographer who likes your images crisp, clear, and untouched, then perhaps a black mist filter isn't the perfect match for you.
However, for those of you looking for that unique cinematic look that might typically be more reminiscent of imperfect film photography, then this one's all yours!
