Don't forget Polar Pro... Personally, I find NISI do fine for me, and of course they are the relative bargain. I'm sure Kase are superior in some ways. If I were re-investing, I'd definitely look at Polar Pro -- the few of their items I've seen are very well built.
I've been very happy with the Kase system. One tip - Don't bother with their filter pouch (it won't stay closed). Pick up some extra caps and just carry the stack in your pocket or bag.
Got the Kase as at the time they would offer a kit to fit the Nikon 14-24S lens, can't complain if not for the fact that rotating the polarizer is not that easy and then, as said above, the push won't keep closed no matter what.
I’m happy with the Nisi. Quality and color rendering are great and the pouch is nice and compact. I’ll likely be adding more adapters and front caps to more easily switch between lenses. I am a brand ambassador though. If you go Nisi, hit me up for a discount.
If you want to use large filters, like 100 mm, so they fit on all kinds of lenses or camera systems, even if you change the camera brand one day, and you want something that will last for decades, the magnetic Kase ARMOUR filter system is brilliant.
You can attach 95 mm round filters magnetically, but also use 100 mm rectangular graduated filters to position them precisely for the scene. The polarizing filter can be rotated smoothly and easily using a small control wheel.
It is the ultimate set that can do everything, even combining and using several filters at the same time.
If you have, for example, a Sony 14 mm lens with a curved front element that normally does not allow filters because of its shape, you can simply buy the corresponding Kase adapter and use the ARMOUR filter system with it.
It is extremely flexible and can adapt to almost any lens, regardless of the brand.
Yes, it is expensive, but it is something you only buy once in your life. In the long run, you actually save money instead of buying new filters every few years because they do not fit anymore or because you decide you need rectangular graduated filters that can be moved.
Despite all that flexibility, it is still quite compact and very quick to use. There is no other manufacturer offering anything similar.
If you think in decades, this set will end up being cheaper than constantly replacing your filter system every time you change your camera or setup.
Breakthrough photography just came out with a version II of their magnetic filter system. It's worth a look. Although I find their magnetic lens cap to be too large. I hope they come out with a smaller version. I normally use the NiSi JetMag Pro system kits plus their 100mm filter add-on. It's a fantastic system.
netexpress wrote:
Breakthrough photography just came out with a version II of their magnetic filter system. It's worth a look. Although I find their magnetic lens cap to be too large. I hope they come out with a smaller version. I normally use the NiSi JetMag Pro system kits plus their 100mm filter add-on. It's a fantastic system.
Also, they mentioned that they "might" start manufacturing magnetic step-up rings eventually, after they roll out their magnetic filters
Ming-Tzu wrote:
Also, they mentioned that they "might" start manufacturing magnetic step-up rings eventually, after they roll out their magnetic filters
It would be great if Breakthrough Photography could bundle step up rings into kits. I also noticed that have a storage cap which is small and flat unlike their magnetic lens cap. So I may try that. The lens cap takes up too much space and it can rock if the lens is stored face down in a bag because it isn't fully flat.
NiSi just announced a fourth magnetic kit size" "MAGMAX" which can mount on up to a 105mm lens threads. And they have custom mounts for a select number of Nikon Z and Sony lenses as well. So they now natively cover 67, 82, 95 and 105 as well as specific wide angle lenses that don't use 105mm thread! It would be great if they added their new Air UV filter technology to the JetMag Pro system.
Good to see so much innovation and competition materializing!
netexpress wrote:
It would be great if Breakthrough Photography could bundle step up rings into kits. I also noticed that have a storage cap which is small and flat unlike their magnetic lens cap. So I may try that. The lens cap takes up too much space and it can rock if the lens is stored face down in a bag because it isn't fully flat.
NiSi just announced a fourth magnetic kit size" "MAGMAX" which can mount on up to a 105mm lens threads. And they have custom mounts for a select number of Nikon Z and Sony lenses as well. So they now natively cover 67, 82, 95 and 105 as well as specific wide angle lenses that don't use 105mm thread! It would be great if they added their new Air UV filter technology to the JetMag Pro system.
Good to see so much innovation and competition materializing! ...Show more →
I have their magnetic lens cap and don't find it too cumbersome to use, at least in the house. Personal preference obviously.
I am hoping the BT magnetic step-up rings would have a similar trade-in option like their filters. Lessens the financial burden a bit.
Ming-Tzu wrote:
I have their magnetic lens cap and don't find it too cumbersome to use, at least in the house. Personal preference obviously.
I am hoping the BT magnetic step-up rings would have a similar trade-in option like their filters. Lessens the financial burden a bit.
BT's willingness to upgrade / trade-in older threaded filters for the new magnetic filters is just remarkable. I've found their service top notch. They've always been very helpful and flexible. And their X4 series is superlative.
Breakthrough have a great return/upgrade policy, unfortunately when I tried them, their customer representative/specialist was rather rude and lacking in basic tradecraft. I'd bought their magnetic kit and it vignetted like a SOB on the original Sony 24-70/2.8GM.
They'd never tested their ND wide-open @ f/2.8. We went back & forth, he told me they'd actually gone out and purchased the lens, at great expense, and there were zero issues. I asked at what aperture, did you test it, did you test it wide-open @ f/2.8? His reply was simply no, no-one shoots wide-open with an ND......
His knowledge was limited to landscape photography. I was shooting video......
Not long after, they scrapped the whole line and have been working on the version 2 system ever since.
Biggest issue with some of the filters and lens hood combinations is the filters don't allow the use of the hoods especially true with step up rings...I have gone to for example an 86mm set up for a 86mm filter thread instead of using a 95mm to cover all of my sizes.
BTW your choice but Im very happy with URTH also great products and service.
As far as the filter holder buy one that folds open with slide in pockets and has a velcro fold over in the back of the pouch to attach to your waist belt, camera bag strap or backpack.
If you go Nisi, hit me up for a discount.