p.1 #1 · Magnetic filters and adapter rings for 100mm square ND filter holder?
Folks,
I was thinking about getting a magnetic filter system, maybe the Kase or the Breakthrough system in (probably) 82mm. Probably for the CPL and a few ND filters.
Occasionally, I want to be able to hold a ND gradient filter on a lens and if I'm going to try to be using magnetic filters, then I need to be able to attach that holder to the front of a magnetic filter system, and then insert a slide-in filter.
I can't tell from looking around on the web if any of the rectangular filter systems are compatible with their respective round magnetic filter systems... so I'm looking for feedback from anyone who has already done this research for some pointers on sources of information.
For example, the new Kase Revolution Plus system... if that's on the lens, can the Kase K9 filter holder fit on with an appropriate magnetic adapter ring?
I see the only reason I would be using rectangular filters is for the 100x150 gradient ND filters (which I have and would like to continue to use).
p.1 #2 · Magnetic filters and adapter rings for 100mm square ND filter holder?
I have the Kase Revolution Plus system. I don't have the Kase K9 filter holder. From some literature I found on B&H, the step-up/adapter rings for the K9 are designed to be threaded into the lens so I don't think that will work with the Revolution Plus which is designed to use dual sided magnetic step-up rings after you install the Kase inlaid magnetic adapter into the lens. Again, I haven't tried it, but you could reach out to one of the US based retailers that carry Kase.
p.1 #4 · Magnetic filters and adapter rings for 100mm square ND filter holder?
amv8 wrote:
I have the Kase Revolution Plus system. I don't have the Kase K9 filter holder. From some literature I found on B&H, the step-up/adapter rings for the K9 are designed to be threaded into the lens so I don't think that will work with the Revolution Plus which is designed to use dual sided magnetic step-up rings after you install the Kase inlaid magnetic adapter into the lens. Again, I haven't tried it, but you could reach out to one of the US based retailers that carry Kase.
Thanks, this is what I noticed as well but I also noticed that some (many?) things that Kase makes aren't documented on their websites and so I figured there may just be incomplete information out there.
This seems like an obviously useful capability but I wonder (suspect) that the reason it hasn't happened is the magnets aren't really strong enough to effectively hold a rectangular holder reliably on the front with a filter sticking out... one little bump and the whole thing will fall into the dirt.
p.1 #5 · Magnetic filters and adapter rings for 100mm square ND filter holder?
mjm6 wrote:
Thanks, this is what I noticed as well but I also noticed that some (many?) things that Kase makes aren't documented on their websites and so I figured there may just be incomplete information out there.
This seems like an obviously useful capability but I wonder (suspect) that the reason it hasn't happened is the magnets aren't really strong enough to effectively hold a rectangular holder reliably on the front with a filter sticking out... one little bump and the whole thing will fall into the dirt.
I concur that it’s probably a limitation with the magnets.
p.1 #7 · Magnetic filters and adapter rings for 100mm square ND filter holder?
mikeg126 wrote:
Take a look at NISI JetMag Pro I think they have a square frame holder
That's what I have been using as well. Quality has been excellent. They work really well. NISI has the whole kit worked out already - magnetic + 100mm.
I like Breakthrough Filters as well. Excellent customer service and quality. They are still building their version II system so we shall see. I purchased the Magnetic Adapter Rings Starter Kit with X4 UV / 77mm. It's great but the lens cap is too rounded such that that my lenses facing down in my bag tend to rock. But they do have a flatter cap I want to try. They are very generous offering to take back old screw on filters and converting them to magnetic filters. Quality has been excellent.
Overall I'd say NISI is there now but Breakthrough Filters is about to catch up.
p.1 #8 · Magnetic filters and adapter rings for 100mm square ND filter holder?
netexpress wrote:
That's what I have been using as well. Quality has been excellent. They work really well. NISI has the whole kit worked out already - magnetic + 100mm.
I like Breakthrough Filters as well. Excellent customer service and quality. They are still building their version II system so we shall see. I purchased the Magnetic Adapter Rings Starter Kit with X4 UV / 77mm. It's great but the lens cap is too rounded such that that my lenses facing down in my bag tend to rock. But they do have a flatter cap I want to try. They are very generous offering to take back old screw on filters and converting them to magnetic filters. Quality has been excellent.
Overall I'd say NISI is there now but Breakthrough Filters is about to catch up.
I feel like Breakthrough have made the absolute best ND and CPL filters in the past. Not sure how things stack these days, but my impression of them and reviewing the comparisons out there led me to that. Plus, CA based, so I'm pleased to buy their products.
They did indicate to me via text that the new version coming out should answer these questions, but I haven't seen info on that yet. Nothing on the website yet.
These days, using a sliding 100mm filter isn't really needed much, but I like to hold onto my options for times when that is a better way to shoot.
What I really want are these components:
1. magnetic adapter rings for the lenses
2. magnetic caps to fit the adapter rings
3. magnetic step-up rings (mag to mag)
4. magnetic filters (82mm)
5. magnetic adapter from 82mm to the 100mm holder
With these, I could basically do everything I wanted, including adapt to the various sizes, use the 82mm on all the digital lenses (I shoot B&W on film, so it is a different filter requirement), use the 100mm filter holder on all lenses, with our without having the 82mm filters in the mix. It'd be a nearly perfect system.
The key to this is to have the magnets be hierarchically designed so that the weakest are in the right places and the strongest in the right places... I think this is how you'd want it:
strongest in the lens ring, smaller ring on step-up, smaller rin on the filter to 100mm adapter
weakest on the lens cap and that might be it
mid-strength on all the rest.
p.1 #9 · Magnetic filters and adapter rings for 100mm square ND filter holder?
Looking at the Nisi JetMag Pro kit, it appears they have pretty good answers. I have some Nisi products here (150mm filters), and they are/were high quality generally so that would be a good option for sure.
I need to look at how they implement the 100mm filter holder.
The one bummer that I think is a problem is that if you are using a strong ND filter and want to also use a split ND to hold the sky back, you have to resolve the location/angle of the split filter first and then add the dark ND filter after. That is a bit problematic when there isn't really a way to lock down the angle of the 100mm holder since you have to pull it off to slap on the 10-stop ND, for example.
I think that is a problem for all of these systems, but I think the approach is it set the split ND position and angle and then mentally mark the angle. Pull it off and slap the ND on and then put the 100mm holder back on as close to the same angle as possible. Presumably, the 100mm holder will hold the split filter without slipping, so the position other than angle will be reasonable locked in place.
Does that approach appear to be viable with the Nisi system?
p.1 #10 · Magnetic filters and adapter rings for 100mm square ND filter holder?
mjm6 wrote:
Looking at the Nisi JetMag Pro kit, it appears they have pretty good answers. I have some Nisi products here (150mm filters), and they are/were high quality generally so that would be a good option for sure.
I need to look at how they implement the 100mm filter holder.
The one bummer that I think is a problem is that if you are using a strong ND filter and want to also use a split ND to hold the sky back, you have to resolve the location/angle of the split filter first and then add the dark ND filter after. That is a bit problematic when there isn't really a way to lock down the angle of the 100mm holder since you have to pull it off to slap on the 10-stop ND, for example.
I think that is a problem for all of these systems, but I think the approach is it set the split ND position and angle and then mentally mark the angle. Pull it off and slap the ND on and then put the 100mm holder back on as close to the same angle as possible. Presumably, the 100mm holder will hold the split filter without slipping, so the position other than angle will be reasonable locked in place.
Does that approach appear to be viable with the Nisi system?...Show more →
That's all correct. To be clear you also have to have installed at least one magnetic filter in the NISI system before attaching the 100mm filter holder. They don't have a "dummy" magnetic piece you can place between the lens and step-up rings to attach this holder. They have a whole other non-magnetic system for that. But the NiSi JetMag Pro system's 100mm holder is designed with alignment markers, a dedicated locking screw for rotation, and the magnetic stacking method in your scenario. The pressure rails are great so no slipping of the 100mm filter. I've not seen vignetting or stability issues in real-world use. If you've got a solid tripod and head go for it. Insert your split ND into the slot, loosen the silver screw, rotate the holder to fine-tune the angle/position (easy to see without darkness), and tighten the screw to lock it. The GND stays securely in the slot during handling. It's a good system and they learned from the best. I'm still an admirer of many older systems which are still very good but NISI is doing a great job. But you know we're still talking about moving pieces around on a tripod. There will be consequences for doing so. I think most of us can deal with that and get excellent results. They also have by variable ND filter kits both magnetic and non-magnatic that are excellent. Take a look at those as well. For most use cases why not?
p.1 #11 · Magnetic filters and adapter rings for 100mm square ND filter holder?
Thanks for the feedback from everyone. I just returned from a trip where I used the Nisi JetMag kit on my Fujifilm GFX 100sII camera and lenses permanently attached with the adapters and magnetic caps, and then the filter set and the additional 100MM rectangular filter holder and some split ND filters...
Everything worked like a gem. The magnets are decently strong but nowhere near strong enough to hold a cap or filter on when pulling the camera/lens out of the bag, so having the "locked" region on the filters and caps proves to be a really good design approach and essentially kept the caps from popping off as I pulled the lens from the bag.
I have only one hesitation/concern with the setup., but it's just a case of getting used to knowing exactly how to treat the filters while in the pouch.
The filter pouch holds about 6 filters, etc., and is a zippered affair with what appears to be a waterproof or at least water-resistant zipper on it. All good. Except the zipper is a bit fiddly to open and close, and it could easily become something that you don't concern yourself with while in shooting mode. However, not closing the zipper at least part way will make it possible for the filters inside to slide out onto the ground if you aren't careful, so you have to be somewhat deliberate about closing and securing the pouch. I'm thinking I may add a small velcro tab to it so that I can instantly know that the pouch isn't going to open if it gets bumped off my bag while I'm shooting so I don't have to fuss with the zipper in the midst of a shooting session. Honestly, I'm a bit surprised they didn't use magnets to do this...
Other than that, this setup is working really well and I'm pleased with the workflow and products.. Highly recommended.
