Everything You Need to Know About Mist Filters

Modern lenses are very sharp, which makes the photos look perfect. But now, photographers are striving to create a more organic image that emulates the character of vintage lenses. You can achieve it with correct lighting, using proper lenses, bigger sensors, high dynamic range, greater color depth, raw workflows, and the appropriate color grading.

However, if you want a more straightforward way to achieve that, using mist filters like the NiSi Black Mist Filter can help you develop softer images and remove the digital edge of your clinical sensors or lenses. If you’re new to mist filters, the following section can provide some helpful information.

What are mist filters?

Mist filters are light diffusion filters that consist of various coatings on the top of optical glass with small black speckles sprinkled on them. The number of specks sprinkled atop the glass determines the strength of the diffusion effect. Hence, the more specks, the more prominent the diffusion.

Usually, you find mist filters in circular styles with varying diameters that fit the filter thread of the lens. Different filter and accessory manufacturers have developed their specific versions. You can now get ‘clip-in’ mist filters for mirrorless cameras that can protect the sensors and combine them with traditional filters to the front of the lens.

How can you use a mist filter?

Using a softening diffusion filter like the NiSi Black Mist Filter reduces highlights and lowers the overall contrast of the scene. It means the filter creates a diffusion effect adding a softer feel to the image. You can get the filters at different strength levels. One is full strength, which makes the most noticeable impact, and the weakest is ⅛. You can also use ½ and ¼ according to your needs. Below are some of its uses:

Increase blooming effect

The mist filter creates a soft glow around the light sources. You can most often find the glow in lights that are shone into the lens directly. Using a mist filter, you can create a solid booming effect by seeking out the backlight.

Softened Effect

Mist filters also result in creating the effect of much softer and smoother skin. The photo remains sharp, but the complexion and edges become less defined. When you achieve such skin softening with the filter, your efforts for retouching reduce, which could help you save time.

Smoothing blowouts

Using mist filters blooms not only a single point but also any light surfaces. It is common for blowouts to appear when shooting scenes with a large dynamic range where the camera doesn’t accurately capture the light surfaces. Mist filters can smooth out these blowouts and make the image less distracting. Also, this technique can help you achieve a cinematic look when combined with the proper lighting.

Can you make a mist filter on your own?

If you don’t want to buy a mist filter, you can make one on your own. For that, you need a UV filter and a hairspray. You can use hairspray to create clouds in the air. Then waving the filter, you can catch the droplets, which will eventually dry on the glass. You can repeat the procedure to create a stronger effect, but be mindful not to overdo it.

Before purchasing a mist filter, you must know that different strengths will not be identical for every manufacturer’s product. Manufacturers’ charts compare images with various strengths with non-filtered images. So, it is worth checking them and choosing the company you like the best.