If you’re looking to add a bit of cinematic flair to your Fujifilm X100V images, then I have the perfect accessory for you.
Earlier this year, I tested NiSi Black Mist 1/4 . Filter for Fujifilm X100 series. The filter is designed specifically for the X100 series, from the original X100 up to the current X100V model.
Having not used the black fog filter before, I’d love to see its impact on my low-light shots. I took a series of before and after photos with the filter during a trip to Sydney and a few days later around my hometown of Brisbane.
Am I impressed with the look this cheap accessory gives my photos? A lot like that.
Black mist effect
If you’ve never used this filter before, you may be wondering what black mist filters are and what they do for your photos.
Black mist filters are manufactured by many optical accessory manufacturers. The filters have a smooth black spec layer that is barely noticeable to the naked eye. These black specs diffuse light, soften highlights, and reduce contrast. The filter adds what can be described as “ethereal glow” around the light sources in the image.
Typically, black mist filters are circular in shape and are sold according to the filter thread size: the larger the filter, the more expensive it is. Just buy a filter that matches the size of the lens you want to use and you’re good to go. If you plan to use a black fog filter with lenses of different filter thread sizes, you can purchase a filter with a larger filter thread size and use a tapered ring for the small lens. than.
Filters are also sold in rectangular form and in the case of NiSi products for Fujifilm and Ricoh, custom sizes for specific cameras such as the X100 and GR III series cameras.
Strengths of the black fog filter
The Black Mist filter has different strengths. Usually, this is noted on the box or filter as a fraction. Strengths 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2 are common. The smaller the second number, the stronger the effect will be. So a 1/2 filter will have a more noticeable effect than a 1/4 filter, which has more of an effect than a 1/8 filter.
Introducing the Black Mist filter for the X100 . series cameras
NiSi has been manufacturing an impressive range of filters and photographic accessories since 2005. Their filters are known for their faithful color reproduction and the company has an excellent reputation among photographers. landscapes and cityscapes.
NiSi creates a black mist filter for the Fujifilm X100 series and also the Ricoh GR III series. The Nisi Black Mist for the Fujifilm X100 series that I used was 1/4 intensity.
The filter costs about $70 for X100 Series Edition. I bought mine during the Christmas sale, so it was a bit cheaper, about $60. The filter is available in both black and silver frame versions. I chose the latter to match my silver X100V.
Quality build and installation
As you would expect from a company like NiSi, the build quality of the filter is excellent. The packaging looks and feels high quality, as does the filter. The filter is super easy to install. First, you remove the front ring of the X100 camera. Make sure you put it in a safe place; sadly, I misplaced mine somewhere.
Next, screw the NiSi filter into the thread and that’s it, you’re done with the setup. The filter fits perfectly into the X100V and is easy to screw on and off.
Before and After Photos
If you want to see the effect of the black mist filter, check out the photos below. You can move the slider from left to right to see the effect of the filter. I will warn you that most photos are not perfectly aligned. I had to remove the filter between the photos, so they weren’t exactly at the same angle but close together.
Luna Park, Sydney
I took the first photo at Sydney’s famous Luna Park. I had to take this photo from outside the park, as it was closed the night we arrived. I like the glow of the Ferris wheel lights in the filter shot. Instantly, you can see the black mist effect!
Image copyright © Matt Murray
Sydney Harbor Bridge
The effect of the black mist filter here is a bit more subtle. I suspect it’s because the lights on the bridge are a considerable distance away from me.
Image copyright © Matt Murray
parking signs
Here is my favorite image from Sydney using the filter. Our hotel has an underground car park, and as soon as I saw this sign I knew I had to take a picture of it to compare.
Image copyright © Matt Murray
Eat Street Market, Brisbane
A few days after Sydney, I returned to Brisbane, my hometown. I brought the X100V and the NiSi Black Mist filter to Eat Street Markets, a popular food and entertainment venue on the Brisbane River. The reason I bring my kit here, aside from the delicious food and free live bands, is the abundance of neon signs at this venue. Below is the entrance to Eat Street. You can see the softer, diffused look that the filter gives this image.
Image copyright © Matt Murray
My beautiful daughter
Next is a photo of my beautiful daughter. As any parent knows, trying to get your child to pose for a photo is a daunting task! I took a shot with and without the filter before she ran off to find more food. I really love both of these photos. Perhaps more than anything else, they show the dramatic effect a black mist filter can have under the right conditions.
Image copyright © Matt Murray
Neon Pineapple Sign
Queensland is famous for pineapples, so how could I resist taking a photo of this neon sign? There are many interesting bars and drinks in Eat Street, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, and I love this one with pineapple. The effect here of the filter is a bit more subtle than in some other photos, but there is light around the pineapple in the photo taken with the filter.
Image copyright © Matt Murray
To see some more examples of before and after companion ads, be sure to check out my video above.
Tips for comparing photos side by side
If you want to take a series of before and after shots like I did, I recommend you do one thing first. Check your X100 series camera’s menu settings and make sure that turning the control ring on the lens does not touch the digital teleconverter.
If you don’t do this, every time you turn the filter out, the teleconverter will zoom in and the next time you look through the viewfinder you’ll get a little startled and wonder what’s going on.
Is this the perfect accessory for your X100V?
There is a wide range of accessories available for the Fujifilm X100V. Whether it’s Fujifilm’s official weatherproof kit or a third-party camera strap and soft shutter-release button, there are plenty of ways you can fool your camera.
If you’re looking for a relatively low-cost accessory that makes a lot of money for you, you’ll be hard-pressed to find one that’s worth the money. NiSi Black Mist filter for Fujifilm X100 . series. The filter is lightweight, well-crafted, and offers excellent and clear image quality. If you like to add some cinematic touches to your X100V images, this is a must-have in your tool bag.
