On my several-year quest for the perfect mist filter, I’ve finally found the Tiffen Black Pro-Mist.
The Black Pro-Mist 1/4 Filter by Tiffen is an excellent tool for controlling the brightness of highlights and slightly decreasing the overall contrast to reduce some of the clinical effects of modern lenses. It can also add bloom to any highlights.
For years, cinematographers and photographers have used these filters to soften facial wrinkles and other skin imperfections for a more polished look. Still, they have become popular for casual shooters, especially street photographers, who want to add a little character to their photos.
Unlike other diffusion or soft focus filters, the Pro-Mist preserves the image’s details and clarity. The 1/4 density option balances contrast reduction and highlight control, producing a gentle, pastel-like quality of light that is more intense than the 1/8 density but gentler than the 1/2 density.
So, what do I think about the Black Pro-Mist?
I like it, and right now it’s my preferred filter for the diffusion effect. I also like the Moment Cinebloom filter but I would use that filter more for portrait photography where a consistent smooth mist-like effect is desired, maybe better for video or noir glamorous style photography. Then, for general photography, where I just want to take that digital edge off without much diffusion, I really like the 1/4 Glimmerglass filter.
So, every filter has a unique purpose; let’s look more at this Tiffen Black Pro-Mist 1/4 filter.
For this review and sample photos, I’m using the Black Pro-Mist 1/4 power 62mm threads on a Nikon 50mm f.18 S for consistency and have also added a few 40mm f2 images.
Tiffen Black Pro Mist Filter 1/4 – Amazon / Adorama / B&H
Tiffen Black Pro Mist Filter Review
After years of testing these different brands of filters, laying them all out, and closely looking at them, they all seem to be pretty similar with subtle differences, with the main difference being how they classify their strength and the type of particles they use.
Another big difference is whether the filters are multi-coating or single-coating on them. For example, K&F Black Mist filters have a multi-coating, and the Tiffen and Moment Cinebloom filters seem uncoated.
I’ve put together a nice comparison between the black pro mist, glimmerglass, and cinebloom filters. Be sure to check that out if you’re unsure which filter to go with.
The Tiffen black pro mist filter I have is the 1/4 power. They’re a little expensive, so I didn’t order them in multiple strengths, but I like where 1/4 is at.
As far as which power is the best, I could probably go with the 1/2 power if I was shooting more in the daylight, and drop to 1/8 if I was shooting more with very bright lighting like car headlights shining into the camera. The 1/4 is about right where I want it for general everyday night street shooting with a little bit of an effect that’s not too obvious and not too annoying also the 1/8 power would likely be a great option.
Compared To Other Filters
Compared to the Moment Cinebloom filter – Tiffen and Cinebloom filters are fairly similar in what they do and I wouldn’t say one filter is clearly better than the other. They both have similar builds and they both are uncoated. The main difference between the Black Pro-Mist and the Cinebloom filter is the particle type.
Tiffen Black Pro mist uses the Black Halation Diffusion system; they have several filters using this technology. The Black Diffusion FX, Black Net, Black Pro-Mist, Black Satin, Black Pearlescent, and Black Glimmerglass.
Tiffen also has a category of White Halation Diffusions where you find their Glimmerglass, Pearlescent, Pro-Mist, and Satin. Moment Cinebloom uses more of a mist, embedded inside the filter, there are no visible particles. Also, the Moment Cinebloom filter has a slightly warmer cast, which reduces contrast with more of a spread-to-the-mist effect.
The Tiffen Black Pro-Mist filter seems to have a slightly tighter halation.
You can go to Tiffen’s website to see their different effects.
Compared to the K&F filter (see review)- the K&F uses the black mist particle system, but the particles seem larger, or the filters are just a lot stronger. These filter is also coated to reduce reflection and are made of aluminum and generally feel cheaper.
It’s a good choice for a cheap filter, and the larger particles do render almost a wet effect. You’ll want to order this filter a lighter power if you want to match the 1/4 effect of the Tiffen Black Pro-Mist. 1/4 with the K&F might be too strong for general use, and even the 1/8 K&F filters have larger, more visible particles. I would recommend starting at 1/8 if you go with this brand.
Compared to the Kenko filter – Kenko uses a very similar particle type to the Tiffen Black Pro-Mist – I’m also seeing black particles, but they don’t have the white glint. The Tiffen 1/4 power is slightly stronger than the Kinko 05 Power. The Kenko filter has a warmer cast like the Cinebloom but has a light coating to it. Its housing is made of aluminum.
Before I had the Tiffen Black Pro-Mist filter, my favorite filter was the Moment Cinebloom 10% filter. Today, I’m leaning more toward the Tiffen Black Pro-Mist, which is my preference. I think both filters are great; I can’t say one is significantly better as they are both unique and can produce varying results across different situations. It does appear like the Tiffen filter with the larger size black particles keeps a slightly tighter halation to the highlights than the Moment Cinebloom, which creates more mist while lowering the contrast. I like the higher halation since it feels more controlled.
Both filters are made of aluminum, and both look uncoated.
You can see my moment CineBloom 10% filter review to compare.
Build Quality
Tiffen does not identify where their glass comes from. K&F sources their filters from a few locations; sometimes, it’s Germany, and sometimes, it’s Japan. I guess Tiffen is also doing something similar as they do not specify, and they don’t guarantee exact quality between filters – from what I read in the Q&A section on the B&H website.
The Tiffen filter doesn’t look to have any coatings as it’s casting the same amount of reflection as the Moment filter, whereas the K&F filters are coated.
These filters use ColorCore technology, a method that involves sandwiching the filter material between two sheets of optical glass, grinding them flat with a precision of 1/10,000th of an inch, and finally, mounting the glass onto precise metal rings.
Bottom Line
Tiffen Black Pro Mist Filter, is it worth it?
Yes, this is a great filter. I light the tighter, almost Cinestill 800T halation effect that it produces. The build quality is nice, and the non-coated surfaces help create some nice luminance, which can further feed the particle effect.
These filters are a little bit more expensive than the other brands, but there is a good reason for that. For one, the particles seem to be unique since they have black particles and also produce a white glint.
The Mist of the 1/4 is a really nice look, and I really like the balance.
In these samples, I’m using the Tiffen Black Pro-Mist filter with the Lensbaby Omni Creative Filter Crystals on the Nikon 4omm lens for a pretty classic feel. I also have an LED light stick on the side that I use for some lighting.
Tiffen Black Pro Mist Filter Sample Images
Shot with the Nikon Z6 and the 50mm f1.8. Filter power was 1/4.
The orange sepia colors are part of my core color pack. The green-blue colors are part of a new series I’m working on that won’t be available anytime soon.
