The truth is, I use mist filters quite a bit, especially for video. I like them because they really help create atmosphere and give it that more cinematic feel that, let's be honest, photographic lenses alone don't usually have. The image in a film isn't as clinical or "sharp"; although there is sharpness, it's a softer, more pleasing sharpness. And that's where a mist filter fits in perfectly to soften that typical harshness of photographic lenses.

When I saw this K&F Concept Gold Mist, I wasn't sure I'd like it. Seeing that it has gold particles inside the glass, I thought it would look somewhat artificial, like a forced or fake effect. Even so, I decided to try it. It's not cheap, though: €99, and in my case, the 82mm version cost me around €110, which is a significant amount of money for a filter.

Once I tried it, I have to say I was quite pleasantly surprised. However, there's something very important to keep in mind: you must adjust the color temperature manually. If you don't, the camera will tend to compensate for the filter's yellowish tint, and the effect will be significantly diminished. Outdoors, for example, you should set the camera to 5500K; if you leave it on automatic, the camera neutralizes the gold, and it almost looks like you're using a regular mist filter.

When you adjust it correctly, the camera generates a very beautiful golden tone, not at all exaggerated, with an almost magical quality. It's not an ugly or overdone yellow; it's very pleasing and gives the image a distinct personality. Furthermore, the effect isn't equally noticeable in all situations: with perfectly aligned lighting, it's barely perceptible, but it's with backlighting that the filter truly shines. That's when the magic happens.

Besides the golden tone, the halo and bloom typical of the mist filter are very well done. The highlights are softened, the blur gains character, and the overall image looks more beautiful and organic. It's not a harsh effect; it's quite subtle, especially considering it's clearly a special effects filter.

In terms of quality, the filter is very well made. The glass looks good, the ring is solid, and it comes with a round hard case that protects the filter quite well, which is always appreciated when you're carrying several things in your backpack.

Now, let's get to what I'm least convinced about: the price. €110 seems excessive. It's true that it's K&F Concept's high-end range, and I can understand that manufacturing this type of glass isn't cheap, but I still find it hard to justify the premium. For me, this filter should be around €60 because, ultimately, it's a special effects filter. No matter how good the optical quality is, you're going to lose sharpness and contrast; that's unavoidable, and you have to be aware of that before buying it.

It looks great for photos, but where it truly shines is in video; it's spectacular. It offers a lot of creative possibilities and can completely transform a scene without requiring much post-production work.

However, this isn't a filter you'd buy in multiple sizes, because it's incredibly expensive. The best approach is to buy it in the largest size you own and use adapter rings for the rest of your lenses. That's the most logical option.

As I said: a very interesting filter, with a beautiful effect, especially for video, well-made and with its own unique character, but clearly expensive for what it is. If the price isn't a concern, it's a very good creative tool; otherwise, you should think long and hard about it.