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[review]KASE WOLVERINE MAGNETIC CIRCULAR FILTERS REVIEWS BY MATT HOLLAND

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  • Time of issue:2019-07-09 18:51
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(Summary description)

[review]KASE WOLVERINE MAGNETIC CIRCULAR FILTERS REVIEWS BY MATT HOLLAND

(Summary description)

  • Categories:News
  • Author:
  • Origin:review
  • Time of issue:2019-07-09 18:51
  • Views:
Information

 

KASE WOLVERINE MAGNETIC CIRCULAR FILTERS REVIEWS

WARNING! SOME FILTERS WERE DROPPED IN THE TESTING OF THESE FILTERS.

 

I’ve been using Kase Filters circular system for some time now. The screw in circular system is a great, compact and robust system which is lightweight and perfect for me in the outdoors and dealing with ever changing weather conditions in the mountains. I also don’t have to worry about the size and storage as they are so small in comparison to square filter system. In terms of quality, strength, colour cast and weight the circle system takes the strengths of the Kase Wolverine glass used throughout the filter range. My only comment with screw in filters is they can be fiddly and a pain to thread on to the lens when cold or wet. So, what better way to improve the system by introducing a magnetic snap system. Much like the Xume filter system from Manfrotto which uses adapters on the front element and filters too, the Kase Magnetic filter system goes one step further with an adapter on the lens and the filters which don’t require adapters and simply snap on to the front and can be stacked. Yes stacked! This not only makes them fast and easier to use but also cheaper and less faff when trying to find numerous adapters to your filters to match your lenses. Sorry Manfrotto, you need to get smarter.

 

KASE WOLVERINE MAGNETIC CIRCULAR FILTERS ARE AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE.

 

 

WHAT KASE FILTERS SAY:

Description:

The Kase Wolverine Magnetic Circular Filters 77MM 5 Piece Kit consists of a ND8, ND64, Magnetic Adaptor, Magnetic Cap, and Carry Pouch. Made from the same tough, colour neutral pro glass as our square filters, so you can be assured of your image quality and still have peace of mind.

These filters are perfect for those that do not require a full square system setup, the advantage being that they are lighter and more compact. The sets consist of stackable neutral density filters and a CPL, useful for both photographers and videographers, allowing you to both control reflections and control light.

Key Features:

Magnetic Stackable Mounting

  • Toughened Pro HD Optical Glass

  • No Discernible Colour Cast

  • Scratch Resistant

  • Metallic Nano Coatings

  • Water and Dust/Dirt Repellent

  • Easy Clean

 

       

 

Kase Filters Magnetic CPL and 3 stop grad with 10 stop ND - 2x photos merged (water = 10 stop)

 

The Kase Wolverine Magnetic Circular Filters come in a set which consists of a ND1000 (10 stop), 0.9 GND (3 stop) and CPL which matches that of my GCLP and both the GND and ND use the superior Kase Wolverine glass that many have come to love and swapping too. Let’s not forget the leather pouch which the filters come housed in. However, during my testing and time with the filters I didn’t use the leather pouch. I use Kase filter caps which are no longer available to purchase but these screw in to the ends and protect your filters but doesn’t add extra size or weight.

 

When I was told about this new set I was excited about the magnetic system and how it would cope in the cold and wet so I took the system to Scotland for a week of mountaineering, scrambling, rain and photography and more rain. Have you got the picture yet, it rained… A lot!

 

 

 

 

Kase Filters Magnetic CPL and 3 stop grad

 

The strength of the screw in filter is that it’s hard to take off, once screwed in. It’s great in remote regions and poor weather where you don’t want your expensive filters falling off mid walk or climb up a mountain. That said, and like I’ve said previously getting them off can be a pain. Especially when cold or wet.

 

The fear that many might have is will a magnetic hold up and retain its strength after long term use, in the wet or cold?

 

I can’t answer in terms of long term, having only used them for a few weeks but in the cold, wet and two weeks on the filters feel as strong as the day they came out of the box. In fact the magnetics are very strong, at times to good but this can be down to what I feel a slight design fault.

 

When stacked the first and second filters sit inside each other, so no lip exists. Come to the third filter and you have a slight lip which makes it easier to snap the filter on and off as you can get your finger under the edge. Whereas when the filters sit flush its not as quick to pull apart. I would had preferred this lip across the whole stacking to make it easier to pull apart.

 

Where I needed to rotate the CPL or adjust the GND of course this required rotating the filters some what which was easy enough. When stacked they would stick a little and rotate both filters below which if I didn’t need the below filters rotating would be frustrating, so removing the GND was the easiest method I found in the end. At least it’s quick to remove the filters.

 

Getting passed this fiddly mishap the magnetics and filters were plenty strong and no issues in the rain, walking and having the camera swinging about or on the 3ºc we experienced on the mountain summits. And when the rain came the filters were super quick to pull off and hide away in my pockets to avoid them getting wet. No more stopping to unscrew the filter or put a cap on the end.

 

I have been told a stronger adapter is in the making and this will be tested in due course, I have opposed the stronger magnetics as from my demonstrations and testing so far proved the magnetics were plenty strong enough already.

 

Kase Filters Magnetic CPL and 3 stop grad

 

Kase Filters Magnetic CPL and 3 stop grad

 

Now in the testing of these filters I had a 77mm filter set which is far too big for my tiny Olympus system. My usual set is still 72mm which is my largest thread size but the 77mm was silly on my 12-40mm which is only a 62mm. That said, this worked to my benefit and stacking all three filters I experienced no vignetting but, my camera did cool down a little in white balance terms. Not an issue as I can use a custom white balance and balance this will be because of a 10-stop ND rather than my typical 6-stop which requires no white balance changes.

During the whole trip I only used the 10-stop two or three times, this being due to weather conditions and the need to do a long exposure on a mountain wasn’t needed. The CPL and GND were most used, with the GND being the most used in controlling the exposure in the clouds.

So with the quality of glass no issue, some casting when all three were stacked which is easily fixed in post or setting a manual white balance and stacking the filters left no issues with the magnetics in the wet, cold or heat for that matter. What about the strength of the filters? I don’t mean 6-stop vs 10-stop I mean drop test strength. Kase Wolverine filters are said to be smash proof up to 1.5m which for most photographers is a great peace of mind as typically 1.5m is the height of your tripod.

DON’T LIE, WE’VE ALL GONE TO PUT A FILTER ON THE FRONT ELEMENT AND IT FALL OFF.

 

Kase Filters Magnetic 3 stop grad

 

 

Kase Filters Magnetic CPL and 3 stop grad

 

We took the drop test to a new extreme! We dropped it at its 1.5m (roughly) 3m where I threw the filter in the air and a mighty 10m plus drop test where we played frisbee on a mountain summit.

The first two drop tests I was confident the filter would survive, Gareth Danks and Jim Cossey were both a little weary and surprised when it survived but even the large 10m drop/throw I was nervous and thought that’s the filter smashed, at the very least partially damaged. As Jim picked up the filter before it rolled off the rocky lip and dropped a further 200m and we ran over to see the results. All three of us were shocked and left stunned.

Not a scratch.

No damage at all.

How? Kase Filters, what have you created here?

 

 

 

@JIMCOSSEYPHOTOGRPAHY 

@GARETH-DANKS

The Verdict?

The screw in filters I use from Kase already do everything I need and wanted but the circular magnetic system takes what I enjoy about the small and robust filters and makes them better. In comparison may not be as secure against screw in filters but for speed and ease of use these are far better!

Personally I wouldn’t use the 10-stop ND and would had preferred a 6-stop but in the small time and use I had the 10-stop it did the trick and had no issues, until stacked with all three filters and some cooling in the white balance was present but was easily fixed.

The Kase Wolverine Magnetic circular filters are available in 2 sets in two different sizes.
77mm and 82mm in a 4 and 5 piece set up. The 4 piece consists of: ND8, ND64, Magnetic Adapter and cap plus carry pouch. The 5 piece adds a ND1000 to the set.

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