Black Diffusion/FX, is a distinctive yet simple diffusion filter, as it is refined in its ability to reduce fine sharp detail and produce a minimal effect on bounced and reduced highlights. The Black Diffusion/FX look, is apparent by its seemingly non-destructive effect, meaning that any reduction in color saturation is kept to a minimum. When used on close ups, facial features, such as eyes and hair remain sharp on the focal plane while finer and unwanted skin detail smoothly blends away.
Black Diffusion is kept in check by what is embedded in the filter, performing the jewel role in controlling the optical softening element form overly blurring specular highlights, which might otherwise cause stronger halation.
Gold Diffusion/FX offers an optical softness helping reduce the sharpness associated with today’s modern lens. As it introduces a golden warmth that wraps itself around the image, this filter produces a slight reduction in contrast, creating a very pleasing effect on darker skin tones. Practical light sources and skin shine seemly unduly moved by the filters reduction until the heavier densities are introduced.
As with all Diffusion/FX range facial features, like eyes, are given an apparent sharpness, giving a very pleasing look to beauty shots. The lowering of contrast changes the shadow area without producing a halation from specular or practical light sources. Until we get to the very heavy end of the range, even then its affect is refined and un-invasive. One can also see the filters added warmth in the gray scale in the wide shot.