Black mist soft focus any good?

[swanseamale47]

I came across Black Mist filters the other day and wondered if they are any good for portraits?,
I've got a few Cokin ones but I hate the filter system. I fancied a screw in one I can leave on a lens. I gather they come in different strengths? If so which one is a good effect?
Thanks.

 

[Raymond Lin]

I got a Tiffen Blacl Pro Mist, 1/8th. They just soften things up. Not cheap, but B&H sells them much cheaper than here.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tiffen-7mm-Black-Mist-Filter/dp/B0017PF64C/ref=sr_1_6?crid=191P0HKLKVKAN&keywords=Tiffen+77mm+Black+Pro-Mist&qid=1696245418&sprefix=tiffen+77mm+black+pro-mist+%2Caps%2C271&sr=8-6&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.cc223b57-2b86-485c-a85e-6431c1f06c86

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/55691-REG/Tiffen_77BPM18_77mm_Black_Pro_Mist_1_8.html

I also have one that permanently lives on my X100.

Notice the light just have this haze/glow

X100

A7R3

 

[swanseamale47]

Thanks Raymond. I'm guessing I'd need a stronger version for a nice soft portrait?

 

[Mr Perceptive]

The Tiffen Black ProMist filters actually hold sharpness and contrast very well (compared to old skool diffusion filters), there are good though at softening the highlights and hallinating bright light sources (giving them a glow).

 

[Raymond Lin]

Thanks Raymond. I'm guessing I'd need a stronger version for a nice soft portrait?

I personally wouldn't, there are Youtube videos comparing the different strengths. I prefer a hint of it for the 1/8th myself.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE-yEEXyBWs

 

[LongLensPhotography]

Some of us go to great lengths to eliminate such aberrations

 

[LeeRatters]

I use these style filters most of the time. Not strictly for dedicated portrait shoots although I have shot portraits in more of an environmental style image with them.

I use the Cinebloom 10% and 20%

 

[swanseamale47]

Thanks everybody. I'll watch the video when I get back, had a family drama so be gone for an hour or two. Cheers.

 

[woof woof]

I have a black pro mist 1/8 on my Fuji X100f.

I think for me the effect is subtle and I really need to see with and without pictures side by side to see any difference. IMO processing makes a lot more difference to a picture than a filter of this sort.

 

[swanseamale47]

Looking at the video I think it's going to be the 1/2, I'm after a fairly strong effect, The 2 is tempting but I'm wondering if it might be too much. Think I'll start with the 1/2 and see how it goes.
Thanks everybody.