How to Use a Moment CineBloom Diffusion Filter: See the 10% vs. 20%

Why Use a Diffusion Filter?

They take the edge off overly sharp digital footage, soften highlights, smooth out skin, and give everything that hazy, cinematic glow you usually only get from vintage lenses or old film stock. Bright lights bloom in a soft halo, skin tones look more natural, and that overly crisp, clinical look most modern cameras seem to really over do.

Diffusion filters are particularly useful in portraits, moody landscapes, street photography — really anything where you want a little extra atmosphere without over-editing later. I know forwards do a decent job of mimicking this look (or a smudge on your lens, lol), but they don't offer the dynamic range needed to get a truly good shot; one that's easy to edit or color correct.

Aside from the creative perks, they double as a layer of protection for your lens too. If you tip over a rock and your camera falls face-first, the filter cracks first and your lens is saved. Speaking from personal experience here...

The 10% vs. 20%

The percentage listed on each filter tells you how strong the diffusion is. 10% gives you a softer, more natural bloom, while 20% brings a stronger, more stylized glow. It’s an easy way to control the vibe of your image. Every strength is available in all our current filter sizes, so you can pick the look you want without worrying about compatibility.

The 10% is our most popular filter density because of its subtle yet complimentary bloom around light sources, which gives an angelic glaze in all the right places. Personally, this density is great for never having to take the filter off; it could easily live there and give your portfolio a more refined signature look.

The 20% is ideal for stylistic shoots, offering a more extreme haze than the other. Its ultra-diffused light sources and creamy skin tones will take your image to the next level. It's way easier to use a glass filter than Photoshop AI tools.

Stack It With Our VND Filters

The stacking capability with our Variable ND filters is a super convenient feature that extends beyond its evident diffusion qualities. You get the sick cinematic visual experience with our time-tested VND filters producing a buttery shutter speed and a nice bloomed effect. Mix the various ND stops and diffusion densities to your taste and let it rip.

25% off

Moment

Variable ND Filters - 49mm / 2-5

$93.75$125

The Moment VND gives you more control with a clean, consistent look. Built with dual layers of precision-aligned cinema glass, it reduces light evenly without introducing color shift, vignetting, or cross-polarization. Each stop range is fixed and precisely machined, with ND positions aligned at exact angles to deliver accurate, repeatable exposure control. You get smooth motion blur, natural rolloff, and the ability to shoot wide open in bright conditions — all without sacrificing sharpness or contrast.

Designed for going places, the VND features our unique Viewfinder-Visible Stops, so you always know where you are in the range — no guesswork, no checking between shots. A subtle detent at the end of rotation gives tactile feedback when you've hit your limit. Housed in a lightweight, machined aluminum frame with built-in hard stops and a laser-etched Control Dial, the Moment red anodized ring stands out on your rig and holds up in the field. Available in 2–5 and 6–9 stop versions to cover every lighting condition.

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CineBloom VND Filters

Want that dreamy bloom and full control over exposure? The CineBloom VND does both. Available in 10% and 20% strengths, it softens highlights just like our original CineBloom filters — with the added benefit of adjustable ND.

The 10% is subtle enough to leave on your lens all day. The 20% dials up the glow, especially with direct light. Honestly, it’s worth having both—sometimes one’s too soft, the other too strong.

I didn’t think it was doing much at first. But then golden hour hit, and the vibe shifted. Skin looked softer. Light felt smoother. I popped the filter off, and suddenly everything looked a little too sharp.

Living in constant sun, I now keep the CineBloom VND on my lens most of the time. It nails exposure, adds mood, lifts shadows, and tones down blown-out highlights.

It’s one of those tools you don’t think you need, until you try it. Then you’re hooked.

Moment

CineBloom Variable ND Filters - 67mm / 10%

$199

Our CineBloom VND delivers a dreamy film look with precise light control. It combines our signature CineBloom diffusion with a built-in 2–5 stop Variable ND — giving you bloomed highlights, softened detail, and smooth motion blur without stacking filters. Available in 10% or 20% strengths, it lets you shoot cinematic footage with character, even in bright conditions.

Designed for going places, it features our unique Viewfinder-Visible Stops, so you always know where you are in the range — no guesswork, no checking between shots. A subtle detent at each end gives tactile feedback, while hard stops prevent cross-polarization. Housed in a lightweight, machined aluminum frame with a laser-etched Control Dial and our signature red anodized ring, this filter is made to work fast and hold up in the field.

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Comes In a Variety of Sizes

Built to last and made to fit pretty much anything, CineBloom filters come in sizes from 37mm to 82mm, so they’ll work with most camera setups —mirrorless, film, even your phone if you’ve got the right mount.

The build feels solid without being heavy. The metal frame is tough enough to handle long days out field tests, and the glass holds up well against dust and grime. Moment designed these the way you know you want them: simple, sturdy, and something we actually want to carry around in the camera bag without it being a nuance.

QuickLock CineBloom Filters for iPhone

Of course we had to bring CineBloom to iPhone!tThis is Moment, after all. And with iPhone 15 or newer, QuickLock filters are hands-down the best way to do it.

You can use a 67mm CineBloom with a Filter Adapter (great for older phones), but QuickLock is my go-to. It’s slim, snappy, and made just for mobile.

I took the 20% QuickLock on a 6-mile kayak trip down Arizona’s Salt River. Didn’t want to risk my big camera (which was agood call because I totally capsized). But the portraits I got of my husband under the tree were gorgeosu. That bloom softened harsh edges, hairlines, tree leaves, everything Apple tends to over-sharpen.

It clips on with a satisfying click which locks in tight and stays low-profile. It's way smaller than a 67mm setup and even easier to use than our mobile lenses. You could even slip it in your pocket for quick storage, just watch for scratches.

Moment

CineBloom QuickLock Filter for iPhone 15 & 16 Pro / Pro Max - 10%

$55

Our award-winning CineBloom Diffusion Filter brings a dreamy, film-like character to your iPhone 15 and 16. Available in 10% and 20% densities, this filter softens harsh edges, blooms light beautifully, and smooths skin tones for a flattering, cinematic effect.

It mounts instantly with our QuickLock™ system — a press-and-lock design that securely attaches to your Moment Case with no threads or tools. Housed in a lightweight AeroFrame™ aluminum body, it's built for mobility. Developed with our proprietary Filter Formula, the CineBloom look uses premium Japanese glass and a fused microlayer of NanoBlack particulates to maintain full image quality while softening light and adding a signature cinematic glow.

 Note: Requires a Moment Case (sold separately).

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