Is It Worth the Hype for Portraits and Studio Work?

When it comes to diffusion filters, I’ve been on the hunt for something that adds a noticeable softness and glow—particularly for creative portraits and still life work. I recently got my hands on the GoldMist filter by PolarPro, and after putting it through its paces, I’m ready to share my honest thoughts.

What is the PolarPro GoldMist?

The GoldMist is part of PolarPro’s diffusion filter lineup. Designed to add subtle bloom to highlights and soften digital sharpness, it aims to replicate that dreamy, cinematic quality that vintage lenses or film might deliver—without sacrificing the modern optics of your lenses.

It’s a solid piece of glass, crafted to high build standards (as you’d expect from PolarPro), and available in a range of thread sizes to fit most popular lenses.

Technical Specifications

Type: Diffusion / Mist Filter
Effect Strength: Subtle (similar to a 1/2 strength)
Material: Premium brass frame with PolarPro CinemaSeries glass
Available Sizes: 67mm, 77mm, 82mm (others available depending on supply)
Light Transmission: High (multi-coated to reduce flares and reflections)
Additional Features:
- Gold flaring characteristics
- Anti-scratch, anti-reflective coating
- Hard case and cleaning cloth included

Real-World Use & Testing

I tested the GoldMist across a few different setups:

Natural light in the garden
Studio lighting with strobes and softboxes
Moody still life/product work

Here’s the verdict: this filter is subtle—in fact, too subtle for my liking.

Yes, there is a slight bloom on the highlights, and the overall digital sharpness is softened a touch. But unless you're shooting with a strong backlight or have specular highlights in-frame, the effect is so faint it’s almost imperceptible.

There’s a warm tone to the diffusion—hence the “GoldMist” name—but again, it’s incredibly restrained. I had to shoot very intentionally to even pick up the difference between images taken with and without the filter.

Pros

High-quality build and optics
Very minimal colour shift
Keeps image contrast intact
Great if you want barely-there diffusion
No noticeable loss in sharpness or focus

Cons

The effect may be too subtle for creative shooters
Not ideal if you're looking for strong halation or dreamy glow
Doesn’t stand out much in still photography (especially with soft light)

Final Thoughts

If you're a filmmaker or digital shooter who wants just a hint of softness—something barely perceptible, but enough to smooth digital harshness—then the GoldMist might suit your needs. The quality is excellent, and the craftsmanship lives up to PolarPro’s reputation.

But for photographers like me, who lean toward more visible artistic effects—think soft glow, blooming highlights, dreamy atmospheres—this filter just doesn't go far enough. It left me wanting more. I found myself asking, “Is it even doing anything?” far too often during testing.

So while I’ll continue to explore diffusion filters for portraits and still life, the GoldMist won’t be a regular in my camera bag.

Have you tried the GoldMist or another diffusion filter you loved? Drop me a comment or DM—I’m always open to new recommendations.