Do any of my fellow FM Fuji shooters use a black mist filter on their Fuji lenses? If so, in what situations do they work best and what brand is suggested? TIA
I sometimes use one of these on my XF 33mm. I've used Moment Cinebloom filters and K&F Concept's version and both are fine. I mostly like to use these for night photography since I like the effect with city lights, but sometimes it's nice for portraiture, too. Theoretically you can achieve a similar effect in post but obviously that isn't really the case if you're shooting JPG. K&F filters are fairly inexpensive so you should get one to try it out if you're curious.
I have used the Cinebloom and PolarPro mist filters. For me mostly at night for the effect they have on the highlights as previously mentioned. I have a PolarPro gold mist that can be nice then shooting into the sun during the day.
Night time is a good time. I don't think sunshine is a good time, so more overcast, darkish, with some lights. To me anyway.
As for "what lens", I'd use on a lens that is supposedly sharp across the frame, and not one that seems weak in the corners. Like the 33mm and not the 35mm f/1.4
Have used KF filters and they are pretty good. But you'll need to decide if you like a 1/4 mist, because sometimes a 1/8 mist is better, or appears better.
Black Mist is a Tiffen branded product, just so you know. Mist or diffusion is the overall filter type.
I've used Cinebloom filters (10%) personally on many many lenses, including on the X100 cameras 100% of the time.
The assertion that they aren't meant for midday shooting is asinine. All they are doing is softening the image, and are actually VERY helpful in harsh, high dynamic range situations to take some edge off of stark transitions.
You'll find out quick that if you use them at night, you'll get extra flares/doubling of light sources, so you have to be prepared to clone those out.
gaopa wrote:
RoamingScott, thanks for sharing your comments and photos. Your photos make me want to get one and have a go. Happy Shooting!
The effect is quite easy to replicate in post (Photoshop or Affinity). I’d suggest trying that before you spend any money. I have a couple of those filters and have stopped using them - applying in post is much more useful as I can adjust the strength and mask the effect vs having it baked-in on the full image with a physical filter.
I tend to have a 1/4 or 1/8 Tiffen black mist filter on my lens almost 90% of the time. I know you can get the same results in post without one, but I admittedly am lazy and just prefer to leave it on. I don't think I have taken a photo where I regretted having it on.
fjablo, thanks for sharing the tutorial. I'm eager to see how it works.
In the meantime, today I took this photo of our favorite server at our favorite restaurant. I like the crisp image, but wonder what it would look like with the black mist look. If anyone wants to have a go with the image and share, please do.
fjablo wrote:
The effect is quite easy to replicate in post (Photoshop or Affinity). I’d suggest trying that before you spend any money. I have a couple of those filters and have stopped using them - applying in post is much more useful as I can adjust the strength and mask the effect vs having it baked-in on the full image with a physical filter.
Thanks for posting that, makes me realize I should explore the same techniques in Capture One. But I would still rather compose with a filter than do it in post. To me its the same idea as black and white, you can do it later in post, but I would rather see it through my EVF for composition. I'm sure this is a personal preference thing but reducing processing work is a plus to me.
Difficult to exactly recreate the looks from physical filters in post without it looking artificial or digital (IMO). Sure you can soften things with negative clarity, but you're not going to be recreating the blooming of light some of the filters give without resorting to AI.
gaopa wrote:
thanks for sharing, highdesertmesa...that is a very interesting and informative thread.....
You're welcome.
I noticed that the link I had posted on the first page of that thread became broken after the thread I was linking to was archived. Correct link below.
fjablo wrote:
The effect is quite easy to replicate in post (Photoshop or Affinity). I’d suggest trying that before you spend any money. I have a couple of those filters and have stopped using them - applying in post is much more useful as I can adjust the strength and mask the effect vs having it baked-in on the full image with a physical filter.
fjablo wrote:
Well then just use Affinity for no money at all
I prefer to get it right in camera, with a bit of Capture One refinements. I forgot when I used Affinity Photo for retouching the last time. Time is also part of the costs.
olegkin wrote:
I prefer to get it right in camera, with a bit of Capture One refinements. I forgot when I used Affinity Photo for retouching the last time. Time is also part of the costs.
I imagine there are or there will be AI enabled filters that can do this efficiently though.
I usually have a 1/8 Filter from K&F Concept on my lenses. The effect is subtle enough. 1/4 for daily use can be too much, but it depends on what you are shooting and it is easy to ruin an otherwise good image.
When shooting during the evening or night, you can get reflections from the filter on your image as well. Something to be aware of
