To understand my review I must confess I old. My photography and video started by when film was the only option and post editing was done in a dark room and that was mostly just dodging and burning. Back then filters were the best way to add creative effects and remove unwanted ones caused by UV light.

Those days are long over. Most filters are less relevant now than ever before. Almost any effect you can think of can be created in post with software with no permanent alteration to the original file, as a filter does. The only “must have” filters than software can’t duplicate are CPLs and NDs. And that brings me to the subject of this review – the black diffusion filter. Broadly, this is one of those filters that is in-between the “tech has made it obsolete” and “tech can’t duplicate it’s effect.”

Before I discuss this filter specifically, I want to discuss this filter is for. You might have figured out I’m not a huge fan of filters. I’m in the camp that believes filters, other than CPL and NDs, when used correctly, damage the original file in that the filter’s effect is permanently etched into the image, something proper software doesn’t do. So why use them. However, the black diffusion filter can be useful if you care more about the time savings of instant results over having maximum post editing flexibility. If that’s you then read on.

K & F Concepts has been around for a while and recently has endeavored to make more upscale products than it traditionally has made. This black diffusion filter is one of these upmarket products. The build quality is up with the best filter makers with its brass rim. That is the prefer metal for filters because, unlike aluminum, it’s easy to remove without a filter wrench. Only premium filters have brass rings, but not all premium filters have them. K & F didn’t stop there though. It designed hearty finger grips into the rim so regardless of whether you are wearing gloves, have sweaty or frozen fingers, getting this filter on or off should be easy.

The glass on the filter is also clean and the coatings to deflect dirt and oils actually work. Almost every filter manufacturer brags about multi-coatings, but often it turns out to be mere marketing talk. The coatings are there but they don’t work well.

Functionally, the filter does what it says too. If you are looking for a soft, dreamy look, this filter provides that IF you use it properly. In normal daylight it does nothing more than make photos and video look unsharp. However, with good ambient soft light it will give you a romantic look. Keep in mind, this necessarily means you will lose detail. That’s a feature not a bug of a black diffusion filter. In that vein, this filter works best when you can control ambient light, either in studio or with portable lighting.

Finally, this filter comes in a fabric wallet rather than a traditional plastic case. It’s a nice touch that I appreciate.