Hacking Photography - one Picture at a time
Can a filter really help make digital images look more organic/film-like? We take a look at the new Black Mist filter from K&F Concept.
Essentially, the Black Mist filter is designed to add some atmosphere into an image. As if there was a slight fog or mist present. You can see it here in this shot of my son. Taken on a nice clear but overcast day. Using the Black Mist filter makes it look like there’s a slight haze in the distance.
Over the years, I’ve invested in many ways to hold lighting equipment, but recently I found a light stand that seems to get very little attention. The K&F Concept Heavy Duty Light Stand.
Now the name a little misleading. This light stand is more of a sturdy travel light stand, and you should use it accordingly.
Have you ever wanted a set of filters that could offer 1 to 9 stops of light reduction without having to screw in different filters? Then check out the latest kit from Haida with their Nano Pro Magnetic Variable ND.
Variable ND filters have come a long way in the last few years. They offer a great combination of image quality and versatility. While there are a few different types of variable ND filters, the most common normally come in two verities:
Ones that offer a very wide range of ND reduction. Say, for example, one to eight stops with no limitations on rotation. These tend to cause image quality issues like the dreaded X pattern when you try to reach their advertised limit or surpass them.
Filters, such a useful tool for allowing more control over your exposure. Some things are simply can’t be done with a camera alone. But with so many manufactures, types, and price differences buying a filter might get a little confusing.
While it would be nearly impossible to test every filter around. I did manage to assemble a decent collection in the hope to see the differences between cheap, expensive, square, screw-in and variable NV filters.
As you can see I have a mixture of square and circle ND filters that are 10stop in strength. I also added two 6stop filters and variable ND into the mix.
Over the years neutral density filters have become a staple in my photography. Allowing me more control over my camera exposure.
Good quality filters demand a premium, and while the price has fallen over the years, I often get asked why they cost so much. Particularly for the superior glass filters and filter holders. Well, they don’t have to.
Enter the new K&F Concept SN25T1, a 100mm filter kit with 10stop ND costing just over $70.
For a few years now I have been using various different filters. I mostly use them to reduce the overall light coming into the camera or to help control reflections. It seems though I always overlooked one type of filter: the graduated neutral-density filters (ND Grad for short)
I honestly thought that graduated neutral-density filters wouldn’t work very well in the real world. While they offer a reduction of light on selective parts of your image, they do so in horizontal lines. Sure, I can use this to cut the light out in the sky, but what about buildings, trees or other landscape elements that go “across the line” like the tree in the image above?
A few weeks ago, I wrote about the creative benefits of using ND (Neutral Density) filters in photography. This can be viewed here. Although I love ND filters they can require a larger initial investment which could be a barrier for people who want to play around with long exposures photography.
What if there was another option that let you adjust the strength of the light reduction which costs less and still offers decent image quality?
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