let's talk right away about what we find when unpacking:

- Filter in its plastic case

(in the video you will find unboxing, first impressions)

The filter is available in different variants depending on the intensity, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8
The effect is created by a homogeneous layer of microdots on the glass and on the surface we also have an oleophobic treatment to facilitate lens cleaning.

The filter is suitable for both hobby and leisure use. professional, it comes with the classic screw connection, in my case 82mm, and is double threaded so it can overlay another filter and add its effects.
These types of filters are suitable for anyone who wants to achieve a soft, desaturated and pastel effect in daytime photos, or for those who want to take advantage of the effect at night to enhance neon or strong lights by reducing their highlights, but simultaneously creating a haze-like halo around them. Another use is to smooth the skin by reducing wrinkles or imperfections.

I immediately tested this 1/4 filter and I have to say that it is well balanced. The effect is not pronounced but present, in the shots related to portraits, through an effect that I dare define as almost dreamlike, which also softens the skin without losing detail. For night shots, this filter does its best, bringing out the highlights and creating an effect similar to the glow with some haze.

While using it, I realized that static photos can also be taken using a different approach. The first photo was taken with the filter is the camera on the easel and the second without the filter inserted. In doing so I've had the opportunity, in post-processing, to be able to have a clean level and one with an applied effect that I can use at will through the level masks and I have to say that the results are excellent has brought.

The filter reminded me in part of vintage soft focus lenses, lenses I've owned myself, and I can safely say it tends to have a very similar effect. This filter is perfect for those who strive for soft focus, for those who love a fog effect or want to add a different touch to portrait photography.

In summary I can say that this filter is excellent value for money and with good use it gives really excellent results. I haven't encountered any problems or anything like that, especially after more than a week of use. For this reason my rating is 4 stars, my testing was done with a mirrorless APSC body and full frame body. I can safely say that this filter can be compared to products with a higher price.

The filter comes safely and neatly packed and with the 58mm thread it fits perfectly on the Canon lens of my SLR camera.
The photos get a slight blur from the filter, which usually makes them look a bit warmer. If you only need part of a photo or want to enlarge a section, you will have to unscrew the filter beforehand.
All in all, and especially when there is backlight, the 1/4 filter is a small addition that also reliably protects the lens of the lens. I wouldn't consider it a must-have, but for those special moments the filter is definitely worth the money.

The filter can easily be screwed onto the lens of my Nikon Z50. Using the filter requires a bit of practice, but very nice effects can be achieved in b/w / light-shadow photography.

Price / performance is very good. The filter works really well with my Sony A7 siii and 27-70 Sigma lens!

"Technically" the filter is absolutely fine, it comes well packaged in a padded plastic folding box, can be easily screwed onto a 77mm filter thread and, at least in my first test, caused no visible reflections.

However, the effect is really very subtle, you have to look very closely to see a difference between a photo with and without a filter.

The contrast is reduced very slightly, one has the feeling that a very light fog is covering the subject. Background blur (bokeh) is emphasized a little more.

I could imagine using the filter on flattering portraits or romantic wedding pictures to give them a very slightly dreamy look - but the effect is really very, very small.
The image doesn't really become blurry either, only the micro-contrast is somewhat subdued.

A landscape picture such as the edge of a forest in the morning fog could also benefit from it...

So, now compare the two quick pictures of my tomato bushes and try to find out which of the two pictures has a filter and which one has no filter...have fun included!

A 1/4 Black Mist filter with 82mm diameter is supplied. This is run on a Nikon D750 and a Nikon Z6II on a 24-70mm 2.8f G2. The filter basically fits on the lens, but cannot be screwed on smoothly. When screwing it on, it jams more often than other filters such as those made by Rollei, Gobe or URTH.

The filter itself arrives in protected packaging in pristine condition.
The strength 1/4 not quite as glowy/misty as the 1/2.

The Black Mist effect can be used variably. It works best with neon tubes or other bright lights. Really good for portrait shoots (in a parking garage, in the evening), for example. Certainly also a special effect, which is achieved by the filter. The "Black Mist" filter creates a kind of fog softener effect. I'll also use the filter at a sundowner during a portrait shoot and see what kind of pictures I can achieve there.

Apart from the not so outstanding filter thread, the filter can certainly be used well for experimental photography. Not everyone likes this effect; therefore, be careful when using the filter.

I like to use filters on my Samyang 85mm lens. Such a mist, i.e. fog filter, can provide a dreamy look. This is exactly what the product from K&F Concept does. The filter can be screwed onto my lens without any problems and also makes a high-quality impression. Especially with warm light sources, I like the look of the picture with the filter very much.
I can't see a real disadvantage. But since there are also filters with higher quality storage options, I "only" award 4 stars.

Filters must always be carefully considered. A filter is not reversible in postprocessing. Inserting an effect later, on the other hand, takes little effort. The diffuse filter from K&F Concept has a neutral white balance. There is a very slight loss of sharpness. On the one hand, this is of course due to the fact that a filter usually reduces the sharpness somewhat, but on the other hand it is also due to the desired effect of the slightly diffuse light representation. The filter manages this quite well within the framework of its 1/4 gradation. However, it must be mentioned that this is also possible with a mouse click in the image processing. Thus, the filter only makes sense for the group of people who want to control the effect directly in the process of creating the image.

In terms of processing, a clear recommendation. The thread runs clean.

Ultimately, everyone must be clear about the meaning.

The filter performance with the reported strength of 1/4 creates subtle and just perceptible "embellishments" of the motif. Filters with a strength of 1/2 or 1/1 cause a clearer effect. The effect itself is very clear and realistic with the available filter levels in the product illustrations. Definitely recommended for occasional use in order to directly change the image effect and message accordingly. Of course, this also works for still images during post-processing. Therefore, the filter is probably intended more for videography, where a corresponding result is not so authentic or can only be produced with effort in post-processing.

As a target group, I imagine wedding photographers who, with the soft effect (it is advertised as "dreamy" to match the occasion), directly achieve an acceptable result without complex post-processing in e.g. B. Photoshop, Lightroom or similar image processing.

Nature and portrait photographers could also enjoy the filter to achieve a corresponding look.

With a Pentax K-70 and a Pentax-DA 16-85 1:3.5-5.6 ED DC WR, I tested the filter on 4 different subjects and under 3 usual exposure situations, and I confirm the advertised filter effect.. As a

result the bright areas are especially softened, while the focus remains unchanged.
In slightly darker recording situations, it becomes apparent that e.g. B. a candle flame gets a glow, while the other image elements are only slightly softer or displayed with less contrast.
Glittering backlighting in water drops is also softened pleasantly, while the shadows look a bit brighter. A depth of field that is already effective is softened more finely overall.

I imagine taking pictures in the twilight or with nocturnal lighting comfortably with the filter.

The filter causes no visible color cast, no image distortion and can be used for the intended purpose without hesitation.

The only criticism is that the lens loses some of its sharpness when the filter is attached, but this is only clearly visible when the 100% view is enlarged.
So if you don't take photos professionally and demand the corresponding fee for your work, but occasionally use the snap box for the fun of it, this filter should be sufficient for inexpensive experimentation.

I use this filter for concert and nightclub photos because it creates a highlight effect on ambient lights and makes them more visible in photos. Lasers, for example, look incredible.
The construction and quality of this filter are very good. It is a glass that does not affect the quality of the photos and has a thread that is very suitable for mounting on the lens. It is lightweight and has a filter box for storage.
I really recommend this Blackmist 1/4 filter to edit photos delicately.