1/8 is lighter, then going up to 1/4, 1/2 the effect become stronger. I have just bought a 1/2 to use with Panny glass, and it does the job well, actually it looks like it's pulling shadows areas when you look through it (it's just lowering contrast). But the stronger it is, the more it blooms highlight so you get dreamy halos around lights. The 1/2 looks good but I tried it in sunny daylight and I realized the bloom is massive in that situation, really too much (unless you don't want a dream sequence). I would have liked to send it back to Amazon for a 1/4, but they didn't have the 77mm size for that, so I kept it. It is good anyway. But maybe I'd suggest the 1/4. It is more subtle but it shouldn't limit you so much with daylight. Anyway give it a try if you can

@feha that's what im thinking. i ordered a 12-35 and soon will order a 1/4 black pro mist. i'll let you know

You might want to look into Tiffen Black Diffusion filters (rather than Pro Mist), as they're a bit less noticeable and more neutral. The higher numbers will, however, also "bloom" in sunlight.

To me, Black Promist is a very specific look that evokes a retro feel like early-80s exploitation films. I wouldn't use them unless I wanted that look. More modern black diffusion like glimmer glass or schneider looks better to my eye. Promist filters use black dots that obscure the image and severely reduce sharpness.

@theconformist

The lowest one I tested was a "1" on a GH2 -- which was fine for some shots, but I would look at a 1/2 or 1/4, if your only purpose is to reduce the high frequency sharpening associated with "digital". Tiffen also makes a large set of software filters, if you want to try it that way.

After "1" they descend into fractions: 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, i.e., one-half, one-fourth, one-eight.

@xenocide38 Thanks, I actually came across your blog in my google search - very helpful!

@jrd perhaps I am confused, on Amazon the black diffusion filters are listed 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. but so then 1 is the strongest?

@theconformist Awesome, glad it was helpful!

I have used a 1/2 black promist on the GH1 in the past and it produced nice results. Softens the image slightly (so helps get rid of the oversharpening from Lumix lenses) and blooms out bright colours / whites ever so slightly. Just enough to give you a film rather than video look. Wouldn't recommend going above a strength 1 though as it effect really becomes noticable then and will start to detract from your image. A similar effect can be had by using old "legacy" lenses (minus the "blooming") which is what I am doing at the moment.