I’d like to ask about experiences any of you may have had with Kase magnetic filters, particularly the Revolution MCUV.
One or two lenses that I may buy () have 72mm filter threads, which is a size I do not currently have. I have noticed that @flash and one or two others use or have tried these Kase filters, not least with Hasselblad kit. With the lenses I have for my Leica M cameras, I have tended to use B&W and Hoya HD3 filters, but have wondered about trying magnetic ones.
So I’d appreciate any opinions about these Kase filters (particularly the MCUV), both generally and also how they compare, in terms of colour neutrality, with B&W and Hoya. Or, if you think there are better alternatives, I’d be interested to hear that too.
Edit to add another question:
With these filters, does the original lens cap (i.e. the lens' own front cap) fit on the Kase filter, or is it also necessary to purchase one of their magnetic lens caps?
I use KASE revolution plus filters in various sizes and also the 72mm version on my Hasselblad lenses. I‘ve used ND and polariser filters and found their optical quality on par with my B&W filters (would love to know why B&W don’t do magenetic filters).
If you use the inlaid ring to mount the filter you can continue to use the hood that comes with the lens. Just not practical when using the polariser because turning the filter becomes difficult.
I am also using NISI magnetic filters in other sizes, They are also optically very good but because the mount is different, they are not as usable as the Kase version.
Unfortunately I never use MCUV filters so can‘t say anything about theese.
I only use the MCUV filters as protection and only in very harsh environments. But in casual use I have not noticed any colour casts. UV filters do affect the colour of an image but that’s with any brand.
You can use the original caps with the inlaid filter ring but I don’t know why you would. The magnetic caps are just better, IMHO. And generally cheaper.
My system is that on a trip I choose which lenses I’ll want filters for. Then I’ll take a set of filters in the largest size (I have a few sets) lens diameter and use Kase step up rings for any lens with a smaller diameter that I think I’ll need filters for. This means one set of filters and one lens cap size. I take a spare lens cap a well as I’m notorious for losing lens caps. I have a faction hood in a couple of sizes if I need a hood and original hoods are left at home.
For example I’m packing for a driving trip around Oz next month. I’ll be taking my X2D2, X2D and a SL3 (plus a drone). The largest filter size is for the 35-100 (86MM). I’ll also put step up songs on the 20-35 and 135 to 86mm. My 28, 55 and 90V lenses won’t have filter rings as I won’t use those lenses in that situation. For the SL3 I’m taking a 60-600 plus the 21, 28, 50 and 90 APO’s and a Leica 28-70. So I’ll pack a set of 67mm filters as well. No filters on the 60-600. As this is a vehicle trip I have space so I’m thinking about inking my 90-280 which will have a step up rings to 86mm. It’s a lot of kit but as I’m driving it’s no hassle. But I’ll have 5 lens sizes and two filter sets. Also I don’t ever use the soft cases for the Kase filters. I simply magnet them together and put on magnetic front and rear caps. Saves a ton of space and hassle.
MaTiHH wrote:
I use KASE revolution plus filters in various sizes and also the 72mm version on my Hasselblad lenses. I‘ve used ND and polariser filters and found their optical quality on par with my B&W filters (would love to know why B&W don’t do magenetic filters).
If you use the inlaid ring to mount the filter you can continue to use the hood that comes with the lens. Just not practical when using the polariser because turning the filter becomes difficult.
I am also using NISI magnetic filters in other sizes, They are also optically very good but because the mount is different, they are not as usable as the Kase version.
Unfortunately I never use MCUV filters so can‘t say anything about theese....Show more →
Thank you. Very helpful to hear about directly relevant experiences. I too have used NiSi, although on Sony and Voigtlander lenses (and not for a year or two) and, yes, I agree that they are perfectly fine (for me, at least) optically, but a bit of a faff.
flash wrote:
I only use the MCUV filters as protection and only in very harsh environments. But in casual use I have not noticed any colour casts. UV filters do affect the colour of an image but that’s with any brand.
You can use the original caps with the inlaid filter ring but I don’t know why you would. The magnetic caps are just better, IMHO. And generally cheaper.
My system is that on a trip I choose which lenses I’ll want filters for. Then I’ll take a set of filters in the largest size (I have a few sets) lens diameter and use Kase step up rings for any lens with a smaller diameter that I think I’ll need filters for. This means one set of filters and one lens cap size. I take a spare lens cap a well as I’m notorious for losing lens caps. I have a faction hood in a couple of sizes if I need a hood and original hoods are left at home.
For example I’m packing for a driving trip around Oz next month. I’ll be taking my X2D2, X2D and a SL3 (plus a drone). The largest filter size is for the 35-100 (86MM). I’ll also put step up songs on the 20-35 and 135 to 86mm. My 28, 55 and 90V lenses won’t have filter rings as I won’t use those lenses in that situation. For the SL3 I’m taking a 60-600 plus the 21, 28, 50 and 90 APO’s and a Leica 28-70. So I’ll pack a set of 67mm filters as well. No filters on the 60-600. As this is a vehicle trip I have space so I’m thinking about inking my 90-280 which will have a step up rings to 86mm. It’s a lot of kit but as I’m driving it’s no hassle. But I’ll have 5 lens sizes and two filter sets. Also I don’t ever use the soft cases for the Kase filters. I simply magnet them together and put on magnetic front and rear caps. Saves a ton of space and hassle.
I too only use UV filters for protection -- and I'm probably more cautious about that than I need to be. But it's useful to know that the Kase ones don't seem any worse than others. It would certainly be nice to be able to take them on and off very quickly.
And that sounds like an eminently good approach when carrying lenses with different diameters. I am trying to resist the temptation to buy a camera that I oughtn't to (some of your other posts don't exactly help .... ) but, if I do, I will stick to just one or two lenses with the same diameter for as long as possible. And I'll be in Africa for a little while in the not too distant future (aviation fuel permitting ....) with some constraints on how much I can take, so the simpler I can make it, the better.
BTW, the Mavens are very good also. I joined the kickstarter and am happy with them. Not better than the Kase but not worse and they have a linear polariser. Mostly interchangeable with Kase but not always. I’d probably use them more but shipping to Oz is insane and we have a local Kase (excellent service too) importer.
When I was doing more video I had Kase magnetic filters. Had all the magnetic step up rings for the smaller lenses and inlaid rings on my larger lenses. I put the female magnetic adapters on all the filters I had. Magnetic caps too. It's a very good system. Everything holds tight. When using adapters with a variable filter, the whole filter tends to spin on the magnet instead of the filter ring turning.
I do a lot of hiking and climbing and used to constantly loose lens caps. For me, the Kase Revolution is almost worth it just for the magnetic caps. But the filter are great too, on par with other high quality filters. Besides never losing the caps, I also like having a spare cap and "back cap". Those are a reversed cap so you can make a stack of a cap, filters, and back cap. Then drop the whole in a pocket rather than have a filter case. Step ups lose the ability to use the hood so I have 3 sizes of filters and use step-ups for odd ball sizes.
I use Kase, Nisi and Maven filters. I would say the Kase and Nisi filters are probably of better quality but the Maven's magnetic hold is probably stronger.
The Kase MCUV are outstanding and just as good as any of the big boys like B+W. I have no issue using them on my best lenses. For Kase, I have three sizes of filters, 46mm (for 46mm, 43mm, 41mm, 40.5mm and 39mm lenses), 49mm (mainly for 49mm lenses) and 86mm for my Hassy 35-100 but can also work on my Hassy 55V, 38V and 20-35E lenses. I keep the Kase filters as a stack with front and rear magnetic caps which are cheap and easy to use. Much better than storing them in a case or pouch. I bought the one set of Nisi before I tried Kase but both are nice.
SGinNorcal wrote:
I do a lot of hiking and climbing and used to constantly loose lens caps. For me, the Kase Revolution is almost worth it just for the magnetic caps. But the filter are great too, on par with other high quality filters. Besides never losing the caps, I also like having a spare cap and "back cap". Those are a reversed cap so you can make a stack of a cap, filters, and back cap. Then drop the whole in a pocket rather than have a filter case. Step ups lose the ability to use the hood so I have 3 sizes of filters and use step-ups for odd ball sizes....Show more →
I use a rubber collapsible hood adapted to be magnetic. Kase make a ring to do this. You can’t walk with it on but it stays put when shooting. Great for landscapes and portraiture. Not so much for street and travel. For that I have a piece of neoprene and a scrunchie that serves as a soft hood or a card.
flash wrote:
BTW, the Mavens are very good also. I joined the kickstarter and am happy with them. Not better than the Kase but not worse and they have a linear polariser. Mostly interchangeable with Kase but not always. I’d probably use them more but shipping to Oz is insane and we have a local Kase (excellent service too) importer.
Gordon
I think there was some drama between maven and kase at some point on filter design and the same Chinese supplier selling to Kase what maven designed. Although I don't think it was ever proven and no legal action taken. Do you plan to just stick with the core filters such as CPL and ND filters? I decided to go with maven because their filter quality IMO is as good as anyone's, however, they are actively developing unique filters. I was specifically interested in a LPL and dark CPL's with modern coatings that were magnetic and more color neutral than any CPL on the market and they did not disappoint. However, they have developed magnetic ring lights, diopters, gradient filters, infrared filters, astrophotography filters, dark CPL's, diffusion filters, star filters, ghost filters, magnetic lens hoods, magnetic lens caps, magnetic back caps, etc. etc. They are the most extensive filter offering from anyone I have seen. Furthermore, their customer service is exceptional.
If you just want a polarizer and some ND filters than buy from whoever meets your price and performance needs. However, if you think you may want to other magnetic filters in the future I don't know of anyone with a more extensive offering than maven. I am not affiliated with maven. I don't receive anything from them that I didn't pay for with my own money.
cbass wrote:
I think there was some drama between maven and kase at some point on filter design and the same Chinese supplier selling to Kase what maven designed. Although I don't think it was ever proven and no legal action taken. Do you plan to just stick with the core filters such as CPL and ND filters? I decided to go with maven because their filter quality IMO is as good as anyone's, however, they are actively developing unique filters. I was specifically interested in a LPL and dark CPL's with modern coatings that were magnetic and more color neutral than any CPL on the market and they did not disappoint. However, they have developed magnetic ring lights, diopters, gradient filters, infrared filters, astrophotography filters, dark CPL's, diffusion filters, star filters, ghost filters, magnetic lens hoods, magnetic lens caps, magnetic back caps, etc. etc. They are the most extensive filter offering from anyone I have seen. Furthermore, their customer service is exceptional.
If you just want a polarizer and some ND filters than buy from whoever meets your price and performance needs. However, if you think you may want to other magnetic filters in the future I don't know of anyone with a more extensive offering than maven. I am not affiliated with maven. I don't receive anything from them that I didn't pay for with my own money. ...Show more →
I do like the LPL but the shipping to Oz is just silly. I wish B&H carried them as they have reasonable shipping. Also the 72mm versions aren’t fully cross compatible with Kase. Generally I only use the core filters now. I have little need for specialty filters and I don’t shoot a lot of video.
I shoot a lot of very long exposures (5 minutes to an hour) so strong ND’s are kind of my jam.
Gordon
edit: Just found out that Maven filters now have a local seller. Great news for me!!
If I could order one or two Maven filters here in the UK I would (probably including the linear pol., which I’d prefer to circular) but, in addition to the rather high shipping cost, there’d also then be VAT and whatever arbitrary “admin” cost the shipping company (or Royal Mail) choose to demand. Whereas if B&H stocked them it would all be handled seamlessly.
Andrew CD wrote:
Thanks for all the replies. Really helpful.
If I could order one or two Maven filters here in the UK I would (probably including the linear pol., which I’d prefer to circular) but, in addition to the rather high shipping cost, there’d also then be VAT and whatever arbitrary “admin” cost the shipping company (or Royal Mail) choose to demand. Whereas if B&H stocked them it would all be handled seamlessly.
flash wrote:
I do like the LPL but the shipping to Oz is just silly. I wish B&H carried them as they have reasonable shipping.
Makes sense. If the shipping and import fees are expensive, then it's not worth the premium. Most of of these modern filters are coming out of the same Chinese factories and most of them are comparable optically. Customer service matters, but high shipping costs make warranty cost prohibitive.
I just want to point out hopefully you don't base the cost of shipping on what happened with the last kickstarter. I think Easy Ship was taking them for a ride. Even domestic 48 state shipping was higher than I would expect, but only $10-15 more expensive so not worth complaining about from my end. I think if you contact then directly, then they may be able to ship directly from the Chinese manufacturer to you instead of one of their USA warehouses and potentially make things cheaper.
However, if you only use the core filters like CPL and ND, then probably not worth the hassle. I really like the LPL and Dark CPL's, both of which are more color neutral than a CPL or CPL and ND stacked. But....I could get by the a CPL and traditional ND filters. The new ones coming out on the magnetic systems are more color neutral regardless of brand.
) have 72mm filter threads, which is a size I do not currently have. I have noticed that @
) but, if I do, I will stick to just one or two lenses with the same diameter for as long as possible. And I'll be in Africa for a little while in the not too distant future (aviation fuel permitting ....) with some constraints on how much I can take, so the simpler I can make it, the better.
Mostly interchangeable with Kase but not always. I’d probably use them more but shipping to Oz is insane and we have a local Kase (excellent service too) importer.