55mm Variable ND Filter Black Diffusion 1/4 Effect & ND2-32 Filter 2-in-1, with 28 Multi-Layer Coatings - Nano-Xcel Series
SKU: KF01.1810
I was actually looking for a plain ND2-32 filter but this one sounded interesting so I gave it a try. Basically the diffusion effect softens the image a bit giving it a more dreamy look. It avoids the "you can count every pore/hair" look that can be kind of harsh when you use a high resolution digital camera. I was kind of hoping the black diffusion would be a separate filter stacked on top of the ND, but it's not. So if you want ND without diffusion you will have to buy a different ND filter to get it.
The machining of the filter is very well done and the filter itself is very thin. I think this is their main reason for combining diffusion with ND, to keep it very thin compared to stacked filters, avoiding vignetting.
As long as you are wanting that dreamy black diffusion look, this filter works great. The level of ND is easy to adjust and doesn't seem to modify the image other than making it darker. No weird color shifts or patterns appear as you rotate it. The high level of ND is great when you want to shoot with longer exposures to get an image blur effect, or to shoot with wide-open F-stop to get shallow depth of field.
The whole thing comes in K&F's fanciest case, leather with a magnet closure. It is a bit more bulky than their plastic cases but looks nice and is much easier to lift the filter out of.
Overall recommended, just make sure you want the black diffusion effect as it's built into this filter. If you don't, K&F have other ND filters without it.
The machining of the filter is very well done and the filter itself is very thin. I think this is their main reason for combining diffusion with ND, to keep it very thin compared to stacked filters, avoiding vignetting.
As long as you are wanting that dreamy black diffusion look, this filter works great. The level of ND is easy to adjust and doesn't seem to modify the image other than making it darker. No weird color shifts or patterns appear as you rotate it. The high level of ND is great when you want to shoot with longer exposures to get an image blur effect, or to shoot with wide-open F-stop to get shallow depth of field.
The whole thing comes in K&F's fanciest case, leather with a magnet closure. It is a bit more bulky than their plastic cases but looks nice and is much easier to lift the filter out of.
Overall recommended, just make sure you want the black diffusion effect as it's built into this filter. If you don't, K&F have other ND filters without it.
27/08/2023
This is a review of K&F Concept 62mm Black Diffusion 1/4 Effect & Variable ND2-ND32 ND Filter 2-in-1 for Camera Lens with 28 Multi-Layer Coatings (Nano-X Series)
I bought this to use with my Sony ZV-1 on which I have a Newer LS-18 Wide Angle/Macro conversion lens 0.75x. I was disappointed, but not surprised that there was very apparent vignetting at the corners of the photos. This is due to the wide angle lens. You can crop the photos in post production to eliminate the vignetting. Not ideal but that's what you have to do.
If you use this on a normal lens and aren't stacking additional filters, I'm quite sure you won't have an issue with vignetting.
The 62mm variable ND, 1/4 diffusion filter is great. The filter allows you to shoot longer exposures at slower shutter speeds in bright light conditions allowing you to get awesome shots that would otherwise be impossible to get without the filter. It adjusts to give you between 1 to 5 stops reduction. And since it's also a 1/4 effect diffusion filter, it gives a somewhat soft diffusion effect to the photo and is great to use for portraits.
This is very nice quality filter and priced less than other comparable filters.
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I bought this to use with my Sony ZV-1 on which I have a Newer LS-18 Wide Angle/Macro conversion lens 0.75x. I was disappointed, but not surprised that there was very apparent vignetting at the corners of the photos. This is due to the wide angle lens. You can crop the photos in post production to eliminate the vignetting. Not ideal but that's what you have to do.
If you use this on a normal lens and aren't stacking additional filters, I'm quite sure you won't have an issue with vignetting.
The 62mm variable ND, 1/4 diffusion filter is great. The filter allows you to shoot longer exposures at slower shutter speeds in bright light conditions allowing you to get awesome shots that would otherwise be impossible to get without the filter. It adjusts to give you between 1 to 5 stops reduction. And since it's also a 1/4 effect diffusion filter, it gives a somewhat soft diffusion effect to the photo and is great to use for portraits.
This is very nice quality filter and priced less than other comparable filters.
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25/08/2023
I have a ProMist 1/4 and 1/8 diffusion filter, but I was intrigued by this combination ND and diffusion filter and wanted to give it a try. As a point of reference, a ProMist 1/4 will set you back $150 and a similar variable ND another $150, so your getting a great deal for $109 for both. But it's only a great deal if the quality is similar, and I'm happy to report that it is. I shot test footage using the ProMist and this K&F filters under the same lighting conditions with the same camera settings and then watched them back on a 4k monitor, and I couldn't see any discerbible difference in image quality. In using the variable ND, there was no telltale X pattern common to less expensive filters, and I really like the fact that the f-stops are marked on the edge of the filter ring (but they don't "click" into place like you'll find on more expensive filteres). SInce I'm frequently using a diffusion filter and a variable ND filter at the same time, to have them combined in a single filter is very convenient. I now have six K&F Filters, and I'm consistently happy with their quality. The price to value ratio for this combo filter is excellent.
19/08/2023
I use a Fujifilm X-T3 camera and have this to match my 55-200mm zoom lens. The mounting ring attaches easily to the lens and I'm a big fan of the magnetic attachment for this filter. There are many different brands of diffusion filters. I have used Tiffen brand filters in the past and have always been happy with them, but when I came across the K&F filters I was dying to try them.
I have used K&F products in the past and have been particularly pleased with their lens adapter system (I have previously shot with Pentax cameras and lenses and their excellent lens adapter has enabled me to use my old Pentax lenses with my Fujifilm camera.
This magnet system does not disappoint. Replacing the filters is very easy with the magnetic attachment system. The lens cap for the filter system has been criticized by some but I think it works very well. It actually reminds me of some lens caps on my Pentax system, so I felt very comfortable with them.
As for the quality of the diffusion - excellent! I really enjoy the softer look this diffusion delivers without being too heavy.
However, one thing surprised me a bit. I expected to be able to install this filter system and then still use my tulip-shaped lens hood, but I can't do that with this K&F attached to my lens. To be honest I wouldn't be surprised if that really is the fault of the Fujifilm system as I've found the lens hoods to be difficult to attach compared to other camera systems I've used in the past. That said, I intend to purchase more K&F brand ND filters to take full advantage of this magnetic attachment system. It's a winner in my book.
I have used K&F products in the past and have been particularly pleased with their lens adapter system (I have previously shot with Pentax cameras and lenses and their excellent lens adapter has enabled me to use my old Pentax lenses with my Fujifilm camera.
This magnet system does not disappoint. Replacing the filters is very easy with the magnetic attachment system. The lens cap for the filter system has been criticized by some but I think it works very well. It actually reminds me of some lens caps on my Pentax system, so I felt very comfortable with them.
As for the quality of the diffusion - excellent! I really enjoy the softer look this diffusion delivers without being too heavy.
However, one thing surprised me a bit. I expected to be able to install this filter system and then still use my tulip-shaped lens hood, but I can't do that with this K&F attached to my lens. To be honest I wouldn't be surprised if that really is the fault of the Fujifilm system as I've found the lens hoods to be difficult to attach compared to other camera systems I've used in the past. That said, I intend to purchase more K&F brand ND filters to take full advantage of this magnetic attachment system. It's a winner in my book.
15/08/2023
The filter arrived neatly packaged. The feel is good so far, it feels valuable. I didn't notice color shifts negatively.
12/08/2023
Nice filter. Definitely useful in certain situations. Great for sharp lenses, especially those lacking character. That brings some mood. It's nice to have, looks good and I love that I can put it on a lens and still use the lens cover over the filter when not in use.
26/07/2023
This K&F Black Diffusion Filter is an excellent kit. It reduces the contrast, makes the blacks a bit grayer and provides a soft bloom around the highlights. Four filter strengths are available; from weakest to strongest they are 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 and 1.
15/01/2023
The 1/4 strength gives a nice subtle spread to your footage. It helps bring your shadows out slightly while maintaining a bit of contrast, and adds a subtle bloom to the highlights. I would put this right there with the Tiffen Black Pro Mist filter.
28/11/2022