Filter: Black Mist 1/8

[boojum]

OK, I just learned about this form "Mr. Leica" AKA Matt Osborne. He is always checking out something new and this time it is this filter which adds the magic of 80's lenses to today's sharp but boring lenses. It will add some magic to my Sony 24 - 240 zoom which kind of lives on the A7M III. It seems a pretty good bang for the buck. What do you think??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFaAs4DoPN0

 

[keytarjunkie]

Can’t stand that guy. I can’t really stand any of the social media talking heads though, maybe it’s just me.

I sometimes use a pro-mist filter when shooting video of people. I guess it depends on the type of photography you do, it certainly has its own aesthetic and can look nice in the right situation, but of course it’s not going to instantly “improve your photography” if your photographs suck. 🙂

 

[boojum]

Can’t stand that guy. I can’t really stand any of the social media talking heads though, maybe it’s just me.

I sometimes use a pro-mist filter when shooting video of people. I guess it depends on the type of photography you do, it certainly has its own aesthetic and can look nice in the right situation, but of course it’s not going to instantly “improve your photography” if your photographs suck. 🙂

What????!!! That's what I bought it for! LOL No, it cannot do magic but it can do tricks. That's all I ask. It does seem a sort of solution to the boring "perfect" lenses today. And were it not for this "talking head" I would never have known about it.

 

[Fjäll]

I love the mist filters. Went with a cheaper brand because I wanted several different sizes. They're great for contrasty lenses like modern Zeiss glass and blooming highlights in portraiture and night photography.

 

[ptpdprinter]

I am sorry you had to suffer through a Matt Osborne YouTube video just to learn about diffusion filters. These guys are mostly just recycling stuff from old Popular Photography magazine articles, which is where I learned about diffusion filters 50 years ago. A diffusion filter is a good choice when you want an image to look like you are using a diffusion filter. A diffusion filter doesn't really look like using an older lens with less resolution, but I guess it might fool some people. I thought you recently bought an old Cooke Amotal lens that wasn't super sharp that you liked. I'd recommend you use that rather than a diffusion filter if you don't like the look of your super sharp lenses. Of course, if you want an image to look like you are using a diffusion filter, only using a diffusion filter will do. And I don't know what this Black Mist stuff is all about. Marketing I guess. I am not sure what Black Mist even means. It sounds like a villain from a Spiderman movie or something.

Of course that advice only applies if you are shooting film. If you are shooting digital, skip the diffusion filter and add the diffusion effect using software. That way you can add just the right amount for the image rather than having to compromise with the fixed amount from the filter. Also, if you later decide you do don't like the diffusion effect, you can undo it. If you shoot with a diffusion filter, you are stuck with it. Here is a YouTube video on how to achieve the Black Mist effect in PS/LR. Unfortunately, the video is not as awesome as it would be if it were by Matt Osborne, but it is passable nonetheless. Basically, it is about adding blur in PS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45UjziaLsyA

If all of that sounds too complicated, just bump your sharpness and contrast sliders down to take the edge off your super sharp lenses.

If you like shooting jpgs and can't be bothered with editing your images, I guess a diffusion filter is your only choice for making images that look like you are using a diffusion filter.

 

[jbielikowski]

black pro-mist is fun, but glimmerglass is even better. while I use 1/8 or 1/4 BPM for subtle effect, with the GG I have a "1" filter and it has similar strength.

 

[boojum]

I am sorry you had to suffer through a Matt Osborne YouTube video just to learn about diffusion filters. These guys are mostly just recycling stuff from old Popular Photography magazine articles, which is where I learned about diffusion filters 50 years ago. A diffusion filter is a good choice when you want an image to look like you are using a diffusion filter. A diffusion filter doesn't really look like using an older lens with less resolution, but I guess it might fool some people. I thought you recently bought an old Cooke Amotal lens that wasn't super sharp that you liked. I'd recommend you use that rather than a diffusion filter if you don't like the look of your super sharp lenses. Of course, if you want an image to look like you are using a diffusion filter, only using a diffusion filter will do. And I don't know what this Black Mist stuff is all about. It's a Tiffen. Marketing I guess. I am not sure what Black Mist even means. It sounds like a villain from a Spiderman movie or something.

Of course that advice only applies if you are shooting film. If you are shooting digital, skip the diffusion filter and add the diffusion effect using software. That way you can add just the right amount for the image rather than having to compromise with the fixed amount from the filter. Also, if you later decide you do don't like the diffusion effect, you can undo it. If you shoot with a diffusion filter, you are stuck with it. Here is a YouTube video on how to achieve the Black Mist effect in PS/LR. Unfortunately, the video is not as awesome as it would be if it were by Matt Osborne, but it is passable nonetheless. Basically, it is about adding blur in PS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45UjziaLsyA

If all of that sounds too complicated, just bump your sharpness and contrast sliders down to take the edge off your super sharp lenses.

If you like shooting jpgs and don't won't to be bothered with editing your images, I guess a diffusion filter is your only choice for making images that look like you are using a diffusion filter.

You misunderstand what I have said about the Cooke Amotal. It is very sharp. It also has the gift of a glow and softness. I have seen this described as a "cinema effect." Here: https://flickr.com/photos/sandynoyes/52203605233/in/album-72177720299130638/lightbox/ and here: https://flickr.com/photos/sandynoyes/52088033431/in/album-72177720299130638/lightbox/ are a couple of examples. They are in a Flickr folder of all Amotal pics. Sharp, great detail and color. You might want to revise that "not super sharp."

I find Osborne informative. If I did not I would not watch him. He contributes more than most and I will leave it at that. As a matter of fact he can support himself with his camera. Can you?

The diffuser filters are for the 24 - 240 Sony zoom. I am not trying to fool anyone. Funny that you would suggest that. The psychological term is projection. It is not my metier. I am looking for an interesting image. If putting a wool sock across the front of the lens would accomplish something good I would try that, too. We all have choices to make, you make yours, I make mine. As my uncle used to say, "We can't all love the same woman."

 

[boojum]

black pro-mist is fun, but glimmerglass is even better. while I use 1/8 or 1/4 BPM for subtle effect, with the GG I have a "1" filter and it has similar strength.

Yeah, great, where were you when I was online ordering? LOL I'll see how the ones I ordered work. This is for fun. But I will remember your advice. Thanks.

 

[jbielikowski]

guess you need to try them all on a lens with smaller filter diameter to reduce cost 😉 also you can try recent Black Mist filters from K&F Concept, Schneiders Hollywood Black Magic, Black Frost...
jokes aside, I think BPM 1/8 is a perfect choice for your lens, it affect both highlights and shadows, but it won't overpower the image.

 

[ptpdprinter]

What do you think??

You asked what people thought about diffusion filters, I told you what I thought, and since I didn't agree with you, you got all huffy. Use whatever you want. I do find your enthusiasm for diffusion filters odd though. You've ordered them but they haven't arrived yet, so you haven't even used them. As far as Matt Osborne earning a living with his camera, a lot of insufferable people earn a living doing what they do. Doesn't mean they are not insufferable.

 

[boojum]

guess you need to try them all on a lens with smaller filter diameter to reduce cost 😉 also you can try recent Black Mist filters from K&F Concept, Schneiders Hollywood Black Magic, Black Frost...
jokes aside, I think BPM 1/8 is a perfect choice for your lens, it affect both highlights and shadows, but it won't overpower the image.

I plan to use it mostly on the zoom. I have a sweet Cooke Amotal which does all I would ever want in a fifty. Followed by a very nice '57 KMZ Jupiter 8. The J8 is not diffuse so I can use step down rings to get the 72 mm to 40.5 mm should I want. I may. This is just for fun. If it does not work, OK, no big deal. I suspect that I will be pleased with the results. I am not seeking the Holy Grail, just an interesting picture.

 

[Canyongazer]

Lenses are neither boring nor engaging.
Photographers are.

 

[Yokosuka Mike]

I have been interested in trying a Kenko Black Mist No .05 filter.

https://kenkoglobal.com/product/black_mist_no_05/

It's a low priority, but someday I'll pick one up and play around with it.

All the best,
Mike

 

[boojum]

I liked the effects Osborne got with his filters and just thought I would try them. And I am interested in what others' experiences have been. This is hobby to have fun with.

I like the soft focus effect and remember back eons ago when a there was a metal filter which had small holes around it circumference and a large hole in the center. The effect was a nice edge soft focus which diminished toward the center. Eons ago.

 

[Noserider]

Matt Osbone's wide experience with using and comparing Leica M mount and LTM lenses in active real world shooting is invaluable. You may not like his choice of subject matter or his accent but he's shot the doors off using just about every lens you can think of in a narrow range and his opinion on the character of the lenses in my optical opinion is valid, and valid enough to make purchasing judgements.

 

[Mos6502]

Sad that it took three minutes of incoherent rambling before he got to the subject of the video... but the mention of vaseline on a UV filter was interesting. I guess it's lost knowledge, but you're not supposed to grease the whole filter. If you leave the center clear and clean and only grease the edges, you will get a nice sharp focus with softened contrast, etc. You could even buy mist filters with the same deal, clear in the center and "mist" around the outside. I can't say such things do anything for me, it just reminds me that such filters were the go-to for cinematographers of the 1970s, when they wanted to indicate something happened in the 1930s. Murder on the Orient Express, anyone?

 

[boojum]

Sad that it took three minutes of incoherent rambling before he got to the subject of the video... but the mention of vaseline on a UV filter was interesting. I guess it's lost knowledge, but you're not supposed to grease the whole filter. If you leave the center clear and clean and only grease the edges, you will get a nice sharp focus with softened contrast, etc. You could even buy mist filters with the same deal, clear in the center and "mist" around the outside. I can't say such things do anything for me, it just reminds me that such filters were the go-to for cinematographers of the 1970s, when they wanted to indicate something happened in the 1930s. Murder on the Orient Express, anyone?

It's not lost here. I was alive when smearing a thing Vaseline film on a clear filter was a trick, back around when Tri-X came out and color film was ASA (Yes, ASA) 64. The trick with the perforated metal filter was an expensive addition to one's gear bag. Far out of my reach and probably not made in the size for a Vito II which was what I had then. And I really had no use for it as a young teenager.

As recordists have a bag of tricks so, too, do photographers. The pursuit of some secret technical edge. A fellow recordist taught me a mic'ing trick that yields greater depth and color than any other known array. Secret sauce out of the bag of tricks. Same with us here.

 

[raydm6]

Lens Netting for Diffusion Effects

I remember the Vaseline trick from 1970's amateur photo books and also rotating a screen mesh in front of lens for starburst effects. But I don't remember "netting" (front or back of lens) for diffusion and it seems to be a technique cinematographer's use (and overuse by some accounts) and they can get as opinionated and crazy as we do with equipment 🙂

• Kaminski uses “every kind of diffusion filter there is, and nets on his lenses, to force the light to bloom and further lower contrast.” https://www.moviemaker.com/janusz-ka...ighting-video/

• An Age-Old Technique
  
  
  Strategically placing stockings over a lens or “netting” is an age-old cinematography trick that has been used in filmmaking for decades to soften a shot and give subjects an angelic “glow.”
  
  Hollywood cinematographers would use either light or dark pantyhose stretched either tightly or loosely in front or behind the lens to achieve a specific look.
  
  For the film Atonement (2007), cinematographer Seamus McGarvey shot most of the scenes in the first third of the movie with Christian Dior’s 10-denier stockings stretched behind the camera lens to achieve a soft, dreamlike focus - https://petapixel.com/2022/05/02/pho...-focus-photos/

And this interesting tidbit (vibrating the printing paper for diffusion) from the linked article below:

I brought out books by Hurrell, who was an amazing movie star photographer who started back in the late 1920s. He used a high key where he spotted lights on the star’s faces and used overexposure. He also used this amazing process where when he printed his black and white poses, Hurrell would vibrate the printing paper, which was his style of diffusion. That vibration would soften his very harsh lighting, because there wasn’t any 216 or gridcloth. This process was brilliant. They looked so glamorous and stunning.

 

[Fjäll]

Here's an example with a cheap Chinese version of a 1/8 Tiffen black mist pro I took last year.

Although already a bit foggy the filter was an appropriate application for this type of scene.

I've tried numerous vintage variants of filters with this effect with results varying greatly but the modern ones doesn't seem to affect the sharpness.

 

[boojum]

You jogged my memory on the nylon stockings, or netting, on cameras. I remember seeing that one written up in the photo mags. Run it between the lens hood and the lens was the common method. It was academic for me then but interesting now. My mist filters arrive today and perhaps I can get out and use them, 1/8 and 1/4. I am not interested in being a great photographer, just a better photographer.