A System Change, With Magnets!

30 Sept

Over the years I have tried numerous different filter systems for my landscape photography, ranging from basic ND screw in filters and polarisers to graduated drop in filters and a bit of everything in between. The most recent system I have been using is the Cokin Z Pro series graduated filters which I have had for the last 3 years or so. I really enjoyed using them, found them to offer great versatility and no colour casting, which I had found was an issue with some previous filters I had used.

One of the only problems I found over time was the inconvenience of handling the filters in either a rush to capture a shot or the struggle to handle the system with freezing hands in winter. I have also found over the years, working more closely with Adobe Lightroom, I required the use of graduated filters less and less when working with raw images. This being just my own personal preference.

It was around this time I came across several photographers talking about the shift they had made across to Kase Filters and their unique Wolverine Magnetic Circular Filter System. The speed at which changing filters could be achieved and the simplicity of the whole system instantly appealed to me.

After a bit more research and a comparison with the current system I would using. I decided to make the change and purchased the Kase Wolverine Magnetic Circular Filters 77mm Professional Kit consisting of a ND8, ND64, ND1000 and Polariser. The kit also comes with a magnetic adaptor ring, magnetic lens cap and Carry Pouch. On receiving the kit, the first thing that stood out to me without even using the system was the overall build and quality of the kit. From the tough, secure feel to the magnets used, to the luxury feel of the carry pouch the filters come in. Kase also do a slightly cheaper entry level kit which doesn’t include the 10 stop ND1000 filter, but I find a lot of my work includes longer exposures and even in slightly harsher lighting conditions, this can still be achieved.

The filters work with the use of a magnetic adaptor ring that screws into an existing UV filter I use on each lens and then creates a simple frame that holds each ND filter securely in place. The ability to stack ND filters and polarising filter is a really great feature that I have found has become a standard process with most of my shooting. I have since purchased a couple more magnetic adaptor rings for my other lenses so swapping lenses and filters in the field has now become easier than ever.

Each filter is made with tough Pro HD optical glass that is water, dust/dirt repellent and scratch resistant. Speaking from experience with dropping one of the filters a couple of times when getting it out of the pouch, the glass and build quality are extremely durable with no scratching or damage being caused by the impact.

The single biggest positive for me so far other than the speed and convenience of the system is the size of the complete kit compared to my previous filter systems. The whole set fits into a very small section of my backpack, freeing up space for other lenses or kit for every trip. The whole Kase system is still fairly new to me, but from the short time I have been using them, I couldn’t recommend them more. If you don’t require graduated filters and are looking for a set of filters that are very simple to change quickly in the field, then look no further!

Check them out over at:

https://kasefilters.com/product/kase-wolverine-magnetic-circular-filters-77mm-5-piece-kit