52mm Vintage Soft Filter 28 Multi-Coatings Cinematic Effect Camera Lens Filter - Nano-Xcel Series

This K&F Concept “VINTAGE SOFT” filter adds just the right degree of “mellow” to my portraits of couples and families. I appreciate how it makes skin tones creamy, smooths and displaces wrinkles, and softens 6500 K artificial “daylight” without making the final image look fake or overly processed.

It adds a gentle, glowing aura, especially around highlights, while keeping the subjects in sharp focus. I use it when I want a more romantic, vintage, or timeless look, depending on the talent and the wardrobe selections from the Art Director. This filter has the advantage of working equally well in 5000 K natural daylight and 5500-6500 K studio monolights.

This slim filter, like all our K&F Concept filters are solidly built using all-aluminum alloy metal frames with knurled edges and optically perfect coated glass lenses. The 28-layer nano lens coatings vary from type-to-type, but the OUTERMOST layers are waterproof, scratch resistant, and easy to clean.

These specialty layers help me keep the filter clean by resisting fingerprints, skin oils, and exhaled carbon-dioxide. For safety and good photo practice I do not travel with filters on my lenses. I DO keep an ultraviolet (UV) filter attached to (hopefully) prevent the “glass” end of my lens from damage in collisions with furniture that jumps out and bites me while I have several cameras dangling from my torso.

Every K&F filter is supplied with a sturdy case to transport your filters in. I carry my studio filter sets for each lens (UV, CPL, ND, and shoot-specific filters like this VINTAGE SOFT ¼) in filter cases that travel in my NANUK large hard case. The right filter can save a shoot, whether it is a ND system to control too much sun or an 85B to solve the Tungsten film in daylight color shift. There is also the “straight” 85 Tungsten to Daylight if you LIKE the warming effect of the natural light on the Tungsten’s BLUEISH cast.

Remember that ALL filters, even “clear” glass UV ALTERS your image. Be SURE you know what the image WOULD BE WITHOUT THE FILTER before you take one WITH the filter. After that, either YOU or your client have some decisions to make. ALWAYS ask their opinion! They might tell YOU to decide and that is fine but including the sponsor or their Art Director, or the Bride’s MOMMA at a wedding is ALWAYS a good idea.

This brilliant “Vintage Soft” filter always has a place in my bag. It adds another “SPECIFIC LOOK” that I can reliably recreate that is softer, smoother, more polished, and works especially well for couples, clusters (3 to 6 people or people and their animals), and multi-generational families (8 to 12 people).

And, you get this LOOK IN CAMERA without spending hours editing in post. The right filter can let you capture quality images that are impossible without them, but they also sharpen your eye to “SEE” the qualities of light and can make light DO things ON DEMAND.

Whether you are brand new to photography or an old studio hand add ONE new filter to your favorite lens and learn its secrets. Your shooting will expand, and your images will add a new dimension of interesting content.

And THAT is NEVER a bad thing for any photographer.

K&F has been making some excellent filters lately, and this vintage soft filter is another hit! I purchased my first filter of this style a few years ago and remember spending 3 to 4 times more for it than this one, and seeing the results side by side you'd be hard pressed to tell which is which. The filter fits perfectly on my 77mm lenses and couldn't really be easier to use. The 1/4 effect is just enough to not destroy your image but give you that soft, dreamy vibe. If you're looking to get this effect in your videos/stills, you really can't go wrong with this one.

picture one: before
picture two: after
Sony a74 with sony gm1635 at 35mm
shutter speed 1/4000 ISO 3200 F2.8
the second picture is a bit over exposured, but you will be able to see the details, creates a bit of film like texture of the picture.

This vintage soft filter (Model No. KF01.3119) arrives sealed in a K&F concept branded cardboard box. Inside the box is the filter and a protective plastic case.

The filter frame is well made and has a good finish to it. The knurling provides a good grip and the thread is nice and clean. I had no issues taking the filter on and off the lenses I tried it with.

In use the filter worked well, and I was able to get some pleasing results. However it should be noted the effect is very subtle and is very dependent on the lighting used for your shot. For those wanting a less subtle effect, you might be better served by a combination soft and mist filter, or black diffusion filter.

I had been looking for a way to achieve that soft and romantic look in my portrait sessions without having to spend hours editing each photo, and this K&F Concept filter was just what I needed. I have used it these days in several family and couple sessions and I have loved the results, the photos come out with a special touch directly from the camera that before I could only get with a lot of work on the computer.

The first thing I noticed when putting it on is that it softens the light in a very natural way, especially useful when working in hard midday light that normally causes people to look terrible. The filter creates a very subtle haze around the bright lights that gives a dreamy look to the images, perfect for weddings and romantic sessions where you want to convey that ethereal feeling. I was amazed at how well it maintains focus on the eyes and other important details while smoothing wrinkles and small skin imperfections, something that my clients are very grateful for when they see the photos.

The filter itself is very well made and the 28-layer coating they mention must be true because I've had to clean it several times and it's still as good as new. It wraps perfectly on my 67mm lens without forcing anything and I haven't noticed vignetting or loss of quality in the corners. The only downside I put is that in

This filter from K&F CONCEPT is called "Vintage Soft" and has a subtle but important difference from other distilling filter options such as Black Diffusion for example. I really like the look it provides, particularly on my Fujifilm 16mm f/1.4 which is what I ordered this filter for.

The filter features an impressive 28 layer nano-coating and is very premium as far as I am concerned, equal in quality to any of the more expensive options out there like Tiffen or or NiSi, etc. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this option, and you don't pay a premium for it.

The soft focus effect this creates really gives my portraits an interesting appearance that my clients have raved about, and being that it is part of K&F's "Nano X" series, it is also surprisingly thin and lightweight, but evidently very finely crafted and durable. Very happy with it. 5 stars.

The filter delivers the promised “soft” effect and has the usual high-quality workmanship. In certain situations, the effect is very pronounced — for my taste, a Black Mist filter is often better. Nevertheless, this filter is a good addition to photography equipment.
I rate the product with 5 stars.

Nice lens for my travel kit. It fits my Sony FE 24-50mm F2.8 just fine. Only had a chance to take a few photos but no issues with it so far. Gives me the soft look I was looking for. K&F is a decent brand and this doesn't disappoint.

This lens is excellent for photography. It delivers sharp, clear images and really shines when taking portraits. The background blur looks smooth and professional, and it’s easy to use even for someone who isn’t an expert. A great addition to any camera kit.

I recently added this vintage soft 1/4 filter to my kit as a complementary piece to my other diffusion filter. My intent was specifically to introduce a subtle, aged aesthetic to my digital photography—a gentle, glowing quality that mimics the look of classic portrait lenses or slightly older film stock, perfect for creating timeless, romantic images.

What I Like About the Product (Pros)
The effect is beautifully controlled. The 1/4 strength is ideal because it provides that desirable soft bloom around highlights, reducing digital harshness without becoming overwhelmingly hazy. It gives a lovely, diffused glow to light sources, which adds immediate atmosphere to a scene. Like the other filters from this brand, the multi-coating is superb, successfully minimizing reflections and maintaining accurate color rendition, which is crucial for professional work.

Drawbacks to the Product (Cons)
Due to its light-diffusing nature, the filter requires a little more focus-peaking effort, especially in low light. The subtle softening of contrast means the camera's autofocus might hunt slightly more than usual, particularly on very fine details. This is an expected trait of soft-focus filters, but it does require a photographer to slow down and verify sharp focus manually in some situations.

Setup: Installation is effortless. The filter has well-machined brass threads that screw smoothly onto my 67mm prime lens in seconds. The low-profile design also means I do not have to worry about unwanted vignetting, even when shooting wide open.

Build/Quality: The filter is very well built. The metal ring is slim and sturdy, and the specialized glass feels durable. It is clearly designed to withstand the rigors of being carried and swapped in a working photographer's bag.

Functionality: This filter is a powerful, non-electronic tool for in-camera creative effects. It softens high-contrast edges and textures, which is incredibly useful for flattering skin in portraiture and giving video footage a smoother, less clinical look.

Durability: The glass holds up very well to handling. The coatings are resistant to minor smudges and seem highly durable against common wear and tear from cleaning and environmental exposure.

Care: Thanks to the multi-coatings, the surface resists dust and moisture very effectively. Cleaning involves a quick brush-off with a lens pen or a gentle wipe with a quality microfiber cloth. It requires minimal maintenance to keep the light-diffusing effect pure and clean.

Ease of use: This is as easy as using any other filter. Once it is on the lens, the effect is instantly applied. It is a simple creative modification that saves significant time in post-production by getting the desired look right in the camera.

Price for value: For the professional quality of the optical effect and the build of the frame, the purchase price represents excellent value. It performs identically to, or even better than, soft filters from premium brands that cost significantly more. It is an affordable way to add a unique, high-quality vintage look to a digital image pipeline.

Summary and Recommendation
This K&F CONCEPT Vintage Soft 1/4 Filter is a truly excellent tool for any photographer or videographer aiming for a refined, classic, and gentle aesthetic. It beautifully softens digital sharpness and creates lovely light blooms without compromising color fidelity. Despite the slight need for care in focusing, the artistic results are phenomenal. I would strongly recommend this filter for anyone specializing in portraiture, wedding photography, or cinematic video.