Kase Filters UK is delighted to announce a new partnership with Light & Land, the internationally respected landscape photography workshop provider founded by Charlie Waite.

This collaboration brings together two brands with a shared passion for photography, creative quality, and supporting photographers at every stage of their journey.

A Natural Partnership Built on Shared Vision

For more than 30 years, Light & Land has built a reputation for inspirational landscape photography workshops across the UK and around the world. Led by some of the most respected professionals in the field, including Charlie Waite and Joe Cornish, the organisation has helped photographers develop both their technical skills and their artistic eye.

Kase Filters UK, known for its innovative magnetic filter systems and high-performance optical glass, shares those same values: precision, quality, and enabling photographers to realise their vision in the field.

• Select Light & Land leaders will use Kase Filters products across their workshops.
• Workshop participants will be able to gain hands-on experience with Kase’s filter systems in real shooting conditions.
• Kase Filters UK will support Light & Land events and initiatives, helping strengthen the educational experience for attendees.

This collaboration represents more than product alignment. It reflects a mutual belief in craftsmanship, education and raising the standard of landscape photography.

About Kase Filters

Kase Filters UK is a leading provider of premium photographic filters, known for its magnetic filter systems and high-quality Wolverine glass.

• Innovation: Developing magnetic filter technology for faster and more intuitive use in the field.
• Optical Excellence: Delivering clarity, durability and colour neutrality.
• Reliability: Creating products designed for demanding outdoor conditions.
• Support for Photographers: Working closely with professionals and educators to refine real-world solutions.

About Light & Land

Light & Land is one of the world’s best-known landscape photography workshop organisations. Founded by Charlie Waite, it has spent decades guiding photographers to inspiring locations and helping them develop their own creative voice.

• Creative Excellence: Encouraging participants to shape a personal and expressive photographic style.
• Expert Tuition: Offering high-level guidance for photographers of all abilities.
• Respect for the Landscape: Promoting awareness, responsibility and care for the natural environment.
• Community and Inspiration: Creating a welcoming space for photographers to learn and grow together.

This partnership brings together technical innovation and photographic education in a way that benefits photographers at every level.

Meet the Photographers at The Photography Show

Kase Filters UK will host special Q&A sessions at its stand during The Photography Show in March, giving visitors the opportunity to hear from Charlie Waite and Joe Cornish.

• Saturday: 3.00pm
• Sunday: Midday

These sessions will offer insight into landscape photography techniques, creative vision, and ways photographers can develop both their approach and process.

Light & Land tutor Ed Rumble will also be on the Kase stand on Sunday at 10.30am, sharing selected images from his portfolio and discussing how creative filter use still plays an important role in landscape and seascape photography, even in an age of advanced digital processing.

Looking Ahead

This partnership marks the start of an exciting new chapter for both organisations. Together, Kase Filters UK and Light & Land will continue to inspire, educate and equip photographers to create meaningful and technically outstanding landscape images.

The post Kase Filters UK Announces Exciting New Partnership with Light & Land appeared first on Kase Filters UK.

The New Forest has been my go-to testing ground for years now. These ancient woodlands, with their constantly shifting moods and unpredictable light, don’t tolerate gear that can’t keep up. When you’re trying to capture that perfect moment between dawn mist and golden hour, every piece of equipment needs to prove its worth.

What brings you back to the New Forest time after time? 

There’s something about this forest that keeps drawing me back, and not just because I live close by! The ancient oaks are full of character and when the dappled light hits with that morning mist, it’s a thought place to beat. 

How did your Kase filters handle these conditions?

They performed beautifully – almost invisibly, which is exactly I you want with my gear.

The New Forest throws everything at you. One moment you’re dealing with deep woodland shadows, the next you have brilliant sunlight bursting through gaps in the canopy. I found myself constantly reaching for the graduated ND filters to balance those dramatic light differences without losing detail in either the shadows or highlights.

What were your biggest challenges?

Speed was the main one. Light in the forest moves incredibly fast – clouds shift, sun angles change, mist rolls through. You need to react quickly, which means your filters need to go on and off without any hassle.

I’d find myself switching between the circular polarizer to cut reflections on wet leaves, then quickly adding an ND grad when the light opened up. The magnetic system was a game-changer because I wasn’t fumbling with threads while the light was disappearing.

And then there’s the moisture factor. Morning shoots in the New Forest mean everything gets damp – your lens, filters, everything. Having filters that don’t streak or fog up can save those magic hour moments when you can’t afford to stop and clean.

What kind of images were you hoping to create?

I wanted to capture that sense of stepping into something ancient and very much alive. The New Forest has this ability to make you feel small and make you wonder how it was here hundreds of years ago.

The filters helped me preserve that atmosphere in camera. Instead of fighting extreme contrasts later in post-processing, I could balance the light naturally and focus on composition and timing. Those subtle transitions from shadow to light, the way mist softens everything – that’s what I was after.

How does this gear fit into your overall approach to woodland photography?

For me, woodland photography is about having patience and being prepared to meet those epic moments. You can’t control when the mist will drift through the trees, but you can be ready when it happens.

Having reliable filters means one less thing to worry about when the magic happens. 

Any advice for photographers wanting to work in places like the New Forest?

Start early and stay late. The forest really rewards patience, especially between these seasonal periods when the light is soft and atmospheric.

Invest in gear that moves with you, not against you. The New Forest is beautiful but can be a challenge, just make sure your equipment can handle it.

Most importantly, slow down and just observe. 

Lee Cooper

https://www.leecooperphotography.co.uk/

Kase Armour Master Kit Double Grad Edition – 100mm System

Kase Revolution Plus 72mm Pro Kit

The post Capturing the New Forest: When Ancient Woodlands Meet Modern Glass appeared first on Kase Filters UK.

One Day In Harris

Harris, a landscape photographer’s paradise. Moody skies, windswept beaches and Atlantic storms over opalescent seas. For many it is almost the perfect seascape location giving beach foregrounds, brooding skies and views beyond to distant hills or islands.

Many are the accounts of brave photographers struggling to stand upright in Harris storms, equipment failing the ultimate tests of wind, sand, water and salt and individuals returning home with sand rash.

The journey up is always filled with anticipation. For those of us lucky to live in the north, it isn’t even too far. Many choose to travel via the isle of Skye and across to Tarbert but for many years I have chosen to approach via Ullapool and on to Stornoway. It depends when you stay on the island but against instinct the journey to Ullapool from the M6 is shorter, easier and quicker than that to Uig.

We usually choose to stay on Lewis, often ( unfairly) the less celebrated of the two islands and enjoy more accessible prices than those in West Harris.

This year was not the typical April however and where previous years have brought all manner of meteorological challenges to test the photographer’s craft and stamina, our week brought wall to wall sunshine. No cloud, virtually no wind and certainly no ‘atmospheric conditions’.

From arriving on Saturday until Thursday the days were uniformly sunny. Not a cloud, hardly a wave, just harsh sun and deep shadows.

That presents a photographer with a number of decisions. Allow oneself to be consumed by angst and attempt to force the issue or relax and be accepting. I chose to relax, carry a camera ‘just in case’ but concentrate on walking, seeing island, exploring locations and enjoying just being in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Friday’s forecast showed rain which backed off to cloud alone but at least offered hope of making photographs that might give me satisfaction.

A 05.30 alarm put me on Niseaboist beach at 06.30 which was high tide and sunrise time. If you’re planning to visit this beautiful beach ( named incorrectly in my view as Traigh Iar by the OS on their maps) then the ends of the day work best and high tide gives the most options around the rocks at either end. At lower tides, some fine ripple patterns tend to emerge further down the beach.

My normal practice is to work slowly, methodically and make relatively few images in a session. However as this was my one chance I had to work quickly, make many images and even switched locations where otherwise I might have stayed put.

I stayed on Niseaboist for the first four hours as the tide peaked and began to ebb. A few patches of light appeared with the early sun but for the most part clouds prevailed allowing the soft pastel topaz of the sea to take centre stage. When the tide is receding the pressure is off for camera bag placement as there is no chance of it becoming inundated by waves but that same pressure is very much on for shoreline rocks which quickly lose their surroundings and over lapping water. This often happens in the time it takes to compose an image.

There are many challenges in such locations, all may be exacerbated by prevailing weather conditions. Perhaps the greatest is that the nature of the location brings sand, salt and water together and these are the greatest enemies of complex electronic cameras ( or indeed analogue cameras for the most part).

There seem to be two schools of thought on managing the elements. One is to ‘tough it out’ and celebrate the weather sealing of the chosen camera. My own view is to use soft weatherproof covers and view the camera’s weather sealing as the last line of defence. I’ll always have some sort of filter on the front of the lens either a screw on UV or one or more of my Kase Armour System filters. With windblown spray and salt, deposits are going to build up and eventually require attention. Managing the cleaning of a filter is always better than a lens element. I’ve found the Kase filters to be more resistant to build up, better at shedding water drops and easier to clean than any other brand.

Those attributes are on top of their unmatched optical quality and colour neutrality.

There are filter choices being made from the moment I start walking onto the beach in the Hebrides. In my favourite clouded conditions, the signature topaz of the sea is best revealed to my eye. A polariser almost always helps this be realised and so is fitted to the back of the holder before the holder attached to the camera.

Next I go to shutter speeds and water movement. My taste is generally to allow some motion in the water. In the early light a CPL might be sufficient when combined with a small aperture of f11 to give the look I’m after. The combination of wind and tide usually means some experimentation is needed. As the light increases, I’ll add an ND8, then ND64 and perhaps even an ND1000. All the while knowing that my colours will be utterly consistent. I may remove all the ND’s for a detail in a small pool and vary things according to how much wave washed rock is in the foreground.

Most of the time exposures are between 1 and 3s. This morning gave occasional images of two minutes however.

A sturdy, solid tripod is required. These conditions with waves hitting on approach and sand being washed away on the ebb flow highlight any shortcomings. My rule of thumb is to use the biggest, carbon fibre tripod I have. I’ll choose either my Kingjoy C85 or my Gitzo Series 3. Despite the significant price difference there’s nothing to choose between them. Leg joints hate sand and salt and carbon fibre doesn’t much like seawater so I use two strategies to mitigate this.

Despite generally accepted practice, ( of favouring the thickest leg sections in sequence) I always extend the bottom leg section fully and leave it out: if possible until I get back to my accommodation. This significantly reduces the chance of getting sand or salt in leg joints. Secondly, I wash the entire tripod in warm soapy water as soon as I get back to wherever I’m staying.

Finally I’ll always use the longest tripod spikes, with the threads well greased before putting in. I’ll take them out after the trip to clean and regrease. Seized spike threads are a nightmare.

Marginal Failure Points

So much of the above depends upon a number of critical elements when an entire week’s photography has to be accomplished in a single window of opportunity. The stakes are raised still higher if one considers that this might be the sole window for the year as, for me, visits to Harris tend to be annual.

Much has been written about marginal gains but in circumstances such as that morning it’s all about marginal points of failure. Identifying and eliminating every imaginable point of failure gives the greatest chance of success in the limited time available.

There are two fundamental threads to pull:

• High proficiency in the craft of photography and complete familiarity with the equipment being used. These are not the times to be unskilled or to try new items of kit.
• Complete faith in the reliability and performance of the equipment being used.

Over 45 years making photographs professionally means that an instinctive approach is based on the certainty of knowledge and the reliability of countless repetitions.

I’m still using a Nikon Z7, bought on the day orders were opened and now approaching 5 years old. I use a 24-200mm more often than any of my ‘superior’ lenses in such circumstances to reduce the number of lens changes. On that morning, I used only the 24-200mm and a 14-30mm.

Even the camera bag is part of the chain of success that must not be broken. I know a photographer who, some years ago, slipped on the rocks at Niseaboist and his D810 camera was broken inside his ( well known brand) camera bag. This left him without a camera for his entire week. I chose the excellent Summit Creative Tenzing 30 bag which I’ve been using for the past year.

It is a superb bag and performed in outstanding fashion throughout. It is well designed, made to an impeccable standard and gives the level of protection, ease of use and comfort that I require.

It demonstrates a great deal of learning about how we actually use our bags and offers improvements not seen elsewhere.

As photographers, we visit beautiful locations to make photographs,  not to think about equipment. Once the process begins, the very best equipment ‘disappears’. By this I mean that there is nothing to interrupt or distract the process between the photographer’s eye and the image produced. Each item is chosen carefully, there are no risks possible when opportunities may be so limited. There is no room for error or for equipment failure and no room for any item of equipment to get in the way of making photographs.

Mike Prince April 2025

www.mikeprince.org

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1. Unrivaled Convenience with Magnetic Attachment

One of the biggest pain points for landscape photographers is the time-consuming process of screwing filters on and off. Kase Revolution Magnetic Filters solve this issue by providing a fast, effortless magnetic attachment system. Here’s why this feature is a game-changer:

• Quick and Easy Swap: Change filters in seconds without fumbling with threads, which is particularly useful when light conditions change rapidly.
• No Cross-Threading Issues: Traditional screw-on filters can wear out or become stuck, but magnetic filters eliminate this problem entirely.
• Stackable Design: Easily stack multiple filters without affecting image quality or causing unwanted vignetting.

2. Exceptional Optical Quality with Zero Color Cast

One of the primary concerns with any filter system is image quality. Kase Revolution Magnetic Filters use top-tier optical glass with nano-coating technology to ensure crystal-clear images. Here’s why they outperform competitors:

• True-to-Life Colors: Many filter systems introduce color casts, requiring time-consuming corrections in post-processing. Kase filters maintain accurate colors straight out of the camera.
• High-Definition Optical Glass: The premium-quality glass minimizes distortions and maintains image sharpness.
• Nano Coating for Easy Cleaning: Kase’s nano-coating repels water, oil, and dust, making it easy to keep your filters clean in outdoor environments.

3. Durable and Weather-Resistant Construction

Landscape photographers frequently find themselves working in a variety of extreme and challenging conditions—such as persistent rain, strong winds, fine sand, and heavy snow. Kase filters are meticulously crafted and built to withstand the toughest and most demanding environments, ensuring that photographers can rely on their equipment no matter the situation.

• Shock-Resistant Glass: Unlike traditional filters, Kase uses toughened optical glass that resists breaking even if dropped.
• Water and Oil Repellent: The hydrophobic and oleophobic coating ensures that water droplets and smudges don’t affect your shots.
• Scratch-Resistant Surface: Designed for long-term durability, these filters can handle rugged use in the field.

4. Versatile Filter Options for Every Landscape Photographer

Kase Revolution Magnetic Filters offer a wide range of options tailored to different shooting scenarios. Some of the most popular filters include:

• Neutral Density (ND) Filters: Essential for long exposure photography, allowing you to capture smooth water, dreamy clouds, and motion blur effects.
• Graduated ND Filters: Perfect for balancing exposures in high-contrast scenes, such as sunrises and sunsets.
• Polarizing Filters: Reduce glare, enhance contrast, and make skies pop with deeper blues and more vibrant greens.
• Night Filters: Reduce light pollution for astrophotography, improving clarity in night sky shots.

5. Wide Compatibility with Leading Lens Brands

Kase Revolution Magnetic Filters are designed to work seamlessly with a variety of lens brands, including Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, and more. With adapter rings available for different lens sizes, you can use the same filter system across multiple lenses, making it a cost-effective choice for photographers with a diverse kit.

6. No Vignetting or Image Distortion

A common issue with some filter systems is vignetting—darkening of the corners of an image. Kase’s ultra-slim design ensures no unwanted vignetting, even when stacking multiple filters. Additionally, their high-quality optical glass prevents distortions and ghosting effects, ensuring pristine image quality. My recommendation is to always purchase the filter kit for your largest lens then go a size bigger than that to prevent any issues.

7. A Trusted Brand Among Professional Photographers

Many professional landscape photographers consistently choose Kase filters for their remarkable reliability and outstanding performance in various shooting environments. With numerous industry awards and glowing positive reviews from renowned photographers around the globe, Kase has firmly established itself as a leading and trusted brand in the filter market. Additionally, Kase UK is known for its excellent customer service, and their dedicated team will always go above and beyond to assist you with any issues or inquiries you may have.

Final Thoughts: Why Kase Revolution Magnetic Filters Are the Best Choice

For landscape photographers, the choice of filters can make or break an image. Kase Revolution Magnetic Filters offer unparalleled convenience, exceptional optical quality, and rugged durability—all essential for capturing breathtaking landscapes. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an enthusiastic hobbyist, investing in Kase filters will elevate your photography to the next level.

Boost Your Landscape Photography Today!

If you’re looking for the best magnetic filters for landscape photography, Kase Revolution Magnetic Filters are the ultimate choice. Their ease of use, outstanding image quality, and robust build make them an essential part of any landscape photographer’s gear bag.

Ready to Upgrade? Explore the Full Range of Kase Filters Today!

The post Why Kase Revolution Magnetic Filters Are the Best for Landscape Photography appeared first on Kase Filters UK.

“Every great story begins with a shared vision — at Kase Filters, our community shapes the view, one frame at a time.”

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Welcome to The Photography Show 2022 with Kase Filters UK and Kingjoy Tripods UK.

This year we are returning bigger and better than before at the NEC, Birmingham. With a brand new customised stand for both our brands under Specialist Photo UK – Kase Filters UK and Kingjoy Tripods UK.

For Kase filters, we have our much loved Magnetic Circular filter and K9 100mm systems available on special offer, as well as the recent Armour 100mm system and more available to see, try and buy at our stand: J305. Also available will be the brand new Wolverine Double Grad 0.6 (2-stop) Soft/Hard variation, which is available online too.

For those who cannot attend the show in person, we are holding a special promotion online from 17 September until 23 September at midnight. Using code ‘kasetps22‘ you can get 10% off your order, only at kasefilters.com

To learn more about Kase products, we have a downloadable brochure below showcasing the Kase UK range, or for further assistance, please use our contact form or Facebook Chat available on the website.

Popular products this year

Looking for a new tripod? Have you considered Kingjoy Tripods.

The post The Photography Show 2022 appeared first on Kase Filters UK.

This trip had been in the making for over two years due to world events. Matt Bishop, Tom Peters and I (Paul Thomson) had been doing the Landscape Photography Vlogcast together for some time, and we had not met in person up to this point. So, the idea was born; a trip over to Italy to visit Matt, and at the same time scouting for a future workshop. We managed to get a window in which we were all available to travel so off we went. 

Arriving in Rome, Matt greeted us at the airport to take us to our first destination in Abruzzo which was a castle perched fifteen hundred metres up on a mountainside (one of the highest castles in Europe). 

It was spectacular and to top it off, we were staying in an apartment in the medieval village below it (a ten-minute walk from our door to the castle). We spent a magical two days at this location before moving on for a further two days at the other side of the Gran Sasso range of mountains. 

In this area (which had a different feel entirely from the first location), we were greeted by the Gran Sasso mountains which I have no other words for other than epic. Rising from the valley floors below and towering up above us, they were enormous and unlike anything I had experienced before, especially on a photography trip. This area is spectacular and relatively unvisited by photographers (as local knowledge is a must here to find the locations). Having someone local, who not only speaks the language but knows the area intimately is essential. We were lucky to have not only Matt, who lives and works in Italy but also Luigi, who is local to the area and climbs these mountains every week. I have to say that I am completely in love with this area, the people and the culture. Everything about it is amazing and the area has so much worth exploring, especially for photography. Moving on from this trip, we will be offering workshops in this area. Not only will it be somewhere new for photographers to experience; it will also be a huge benefit to this area of Italy.

During the trip, Paul used the Kase Wolverine Magnetic Filter series.

The post Landscape Photography Vlogcast in Italy appeared first on Kase Filters UK.

Like many hobbyist photographers, I started out using entry level resin filters and basic holders, just to get a feel for how to use them, and to see and experiment with the various effects they could produce. 

As my skill level and confidence improved, I began to start thinking seriously about upgrading my filters and holder. The kit I had was good to learn on, but it was a bit cumbersome to attach to my lens, and also the resin filters I had gave quite a noticeable magenta colour cast, particularly when stacked, so these things combined were beginning to lean me towards biting the bullet and getting better replacements, but which ones should I go for?

After doing lots of research online, reading various reviews and speaking to friends who were also keen photographers, the name Kase kept cropping up again and again – and I learned that they had a brand new innovative magnetic system for attaching the filter holder and filters to the lens, which I found very intriguing! After some further research, I learned that this was called the Kase Armour Kit, and the positive reviews I read about it were off the chart, notably, from well-established and very competent award-winning photographers. Which was very encouraging. 

By now, I was pretty firmly set on getting the Kase Armour Kit, but as anyone into photography will know, it can be an expensive hobby and everything I wanted to upgrade (detailed below) came in at a total cost of £595 – which is the cost of a decent cropped sensor lens, so anybody also considering Kase will want to know, just as I did, whether spending this kind of cash is worth it, and if all the reviews lived up to the expectation – so I decided to write my own review that would hopefully let people in a similar position to the one I was in make an informed choice and decide whether to also take the plunge.

• Kase Armour Holder Kit – 100mm System (Holder, Adaptor Ring, Step up rings, Circular Polarising Filter [CPL] and Frames) (£269.00)
• Additional Kase Armour Magnetic Frame 150 x 100 x 2 (£40.00)
• Kase Wolverine 100 x 150mm Soft Grad ND 0.6 Filter (2 Stops) (£143.00)
• Kase Wolverine 100 x 150mm Soft Grad ND 0.9 Filter (3 Stops) (£143.00)
• Total Cost: £595.00

Here are my own thoughts on both the Kase Armour Kit, and the Kase Wolverine Glass filters, broken down into component parts.

Packaging/Presentation

Right out the gates, the packaging looks and feels very classy and professional, with well packed components and a lovely feel to the whole thing. Straight away, you just know that this is premium gear. A great start!

Step Up Rings and Magnetic Adapter Ring

The kit comes supplied with 77-95mm and 82-95mm magnetic adaptor rings, and also a 67-77mm step up ring. The step-up ring (if you need it) is firstly screwed on to the end of your lens, then the magnetic adapter ring is attached to the step up ring, this then creates the magnetic “base” that you attach the magnetic holder to.

So for example, if you had a 67mm lens, you would attach the (supplied) 67-77mm step up ring, then the (supplied) 77-95mm magnetic adapter ring, then the magnetic holder itself. 

If you had an 82mm lens, you would attach the (supplied) 82-95mm magnetic adapter ring (because a step-up ring is not required this time), then the magnetic holder itself. 

Kase have advised that more magnetic adapter rings will be released in due course (including a 67mm one) which will remove the need for the step up rings, but it’s really not that big an issue – indeed, you can pre-screw the step-up ring into the magnetic adapter ring and keep it like this until such time as you need it, should you wish to do so. 

The kit also comes supplied with a plastic lens cover, which fits tightly over the step-up ring and magnetic adapter ring, meaning you can leave them both on your camera, and just whip off the lens cover when ready for use. The lens cap is robust and a snug fit but comes in bright red which seems an unusual choice of colour! I personally would have preferred it to be black, but it’s not in any way a deal breaker, and most importantly, it protects your precious glass very well.

Kase Armour Magnetic Filter Holder

Now on to the fun stuff! I absolutely guarantee you, that the first time you attach the magnetic holder you will be grinning ear to ear! The magnetic connection is extremely solid, and the magnetic adapter ring all but pulls it from your hand with a very satisfying snap of attachment. No more loosening screw attachments, balancing or fiddling about to make a secure connection – it just snaps on and boom! – ready for use – Fantastic! If you have any reservations about the strength of connection you need not worry at all, it really is rock solid.

The holder also has a release catch at the top, which enables you to remove it from the adapter ring easily – you need to give it a little tug to “break” the magnetic connection, but it is fluid and very easy to do.

The holder really is a class act – it can take two magnetic 95mm circular filters (one at the rear of the holder, the other at the front), and up to two 100 x 150mm or 100 x 100mm filters in magnetic cases.

The common theme here is that everything is magnetic and designed to be set up extremely quickly – and conversely dismantled just as quickly, which is what makes this stand out from competitors.

The holder is designed so that the 95mm CPL filter (also supplied in the kit) is fitted at the rear – and again this connects very easily, there is no need to screw it on – it just snaps into place with a satisfying click. The CPL can be rotated using a dial on the side of the holder, which is an inspired piece of engineering and makes it very quick and easy to fit and adjust with minimal effort.

The connection of both 95mm circular slots is snug and will not give any light leak – either using the CPL at the rear on its own, or in conjunction with a circular ND filter mounted at the front. There is a little indent on the holder to allow you to prise the circular filters from the holder after use, which is really well thought out.

All in all, the holder is a really excellent bit of kit – very well designed and engineered. It works extremely well and is quick and easy to use. I love how everything just snaps and clicks into place.

Kase Armour Magnetic Filter Frames and ArmourMagnetic Circular 95mm Filters 

The kit comes with one 100 x 150mm magnetic frame, and one 100 x 100mm magnetic frame. The idea here is that you put your glass filters into the magnetic frames (a bit like “bumpers” all around them) which then gives you the magnetic capability to attach them to the filter holder.

The frames come with a precision screwdriver – you need to loosen two tiny screws and then slip the filter in, then tighten the screws again to secure the frame onto the filter. It’s a little fiddly, but easy enough to fit and once they are on that’s it done and you don’t need to take them off again – you simply keep the frames on the filters, in your filter pouch. This adds additional protection to the filters themselves too which is a nice bonus.

I don’t have 100 x 100mm filters, so I needed to purchase an additional 100 x 150mm frame at £40.00 for my second 100 x 150mm filter (the kit only comes with one as standard and I needed two) – but this will be entirely down to personal choice and individual requirements.

I imagined that the filter would slip into the rebate of the frame, but this is actually not possible due to the way the frame is built – so the filter only “goes into” the frame by a couple of millimetres, before being tightened in when you re-tighten the screws.

I was initially a little concerned at this and contacted Kase directly to query whether this was normal. The guys at Kase were extremely helpful and reassuring and explained that this was quite normal and part of the actual frame design. This provided me with comfort and having now used them in the field with no issues, and after a “drop test” at home I can confirm that the frames stay on with no problems at all. 

Once the frames are on the filters, these too just snap on to the magnetic filter holder. Again, the connection here is very solid and there is no chance they will drop off. For additional security, there is a screw connection on the side of the holder which can be hand tightened to provide additional tightness of attachment. 

Filters can be stacked to a maximum of two and can be moved independently of each other. Yet again, attachment is very quick and fluid – no more fiddling and checking they are mounted in correct slots, they just snap on to the holder with a resounding click.

Kase Wolverine Glass Filters

The filters I upgraded to were Wolverine ND 0.6 (2 stop) and ND 0.9 (3 stop) soft grads, which are a perfect fit for the magnetic frames and holder (indeed the magnetic frames are built with using Wolverine filters in mind – but other brand filters of the same dimensions can also be used, providing that they are no more than 2mm thick)

I had previously been using resin filters, so the difference in quality to me was massive – much clearer, and with no visible colour cast. I tend to favour stormy skies for dramatic landscape compositions and the clarity and definition using these filters was just excellent – I noticed a huge improvement from the kit I previously had.

Being glass, they are also far easier to clean and/or wipe than resin filters, and raindrops can be easily and quickly removed using a microfibre cloth. They are also far less prone to scratching – especially as they have an additional layer of protection when fitted into the magnetic frames.

I absolutely love this kit – it is just so well designed and easy to use. It is abundantly clear that actual photographers had a lot of input into the conception and design of the Armour Kit, and the magnetic connectivity across the board is truly inspired – very much one of those “I can’t believe this hasn’t been thought of before!” revelations.

The magnetic connections are all strong, and I mean really strong – there is no chance either the filters or the filter holder can be knocked off – or at least not without considerable force, and once attached it will certainly stay there until physically removed.

The set-up speed is also just excellent – So, once you have attached the magnetic adapter ring to your lens (using the step-up ring too if needed), you can get the holder, CPL and one or two filters up and ready for use in a matter of seconds, with no fiddling or faffing about – and this is where and why this kit really does shine – it’s solidly built, easy to use and can be set up extremely quickly – all of which are traits that lend themselves very well to photography, when capturing that fleeting moment of lovely light requires quick and confident actions – which this kit provides in spades.

I mentioned at the start of this review that it was a relatively big financial outlay – but having taken the plunge and used this kit, I can confidently say that it is definitely worth it. Now I have seen the magnetic capability in action, I really can’t see me using anything else in future. Likewise, the Wolverine filters are significantly and noticeably far better than resin filters – the whole package is brilliant!

It’s innovative, modern, and very well thought out – providing ease of use in the field and excellent photographic results. I would wholeheartedly recommend the Kase Armour Kit to anyone who is also considering either changing or upgrading their existing equipment – this is one of those rare occasions where the actual product really does live up to the hype. 

Thanks for reading this review – if you have any questions or queries, please feel free to contact me via the “Contact Me” tab on my website and I’ll be happy to assist where I can:

www.nickgallacherphotography.com

The post Upgrading my filters – Kase Armour System appeared first on Kase Filters UK.

In December 2021 I was very fortunate to be asked if I wanted to test the new Kase Armour system, which is the latest generation of holder, combining elements from the existing K9 100mm system and Wolverine Magnetic Circular filters.

I jumped at the chance! Having been a Kase filter user for a number of years, I am familiar with the products and currently use the brilliant K9 system, which features one magnetic element (the rear mounted polariser). I was intrigued at the concept of a fully magnetic system.
 
I was given the following equipment to test:

• Kase Armour filter holder
• Armour magnetic adapter rings x2 (77-95mm and 82-95mm)
• Standard (non magnetic) step rings x2 (67-77mm and 72-82mm)
• Armour Magnetic 95mm circular ND64 (6-stop) filter
• Armour Magnetic 95mm circular Polariser
• 1x 150x100mm and 1x 100x100mm Armour magnetic frames with hex key and spacing plates (these hold the standard 100mm Filters)
• Instruction leaflet

First Impressions

First impressions were excellent. The Armour filter holder quality is impressive. It is nicely finished and feels very robust (it is constructed of alloy).
The design has some similarities to the K9 holder in that it has a screw knob on one side (which secures the magnetic frames in place) and a scroll wheel on the other side (which allows the polariser to be positioned). Replacing the traditional guide rails are two magnetic plates which hold the frames in place. There is also a new addition of a spring-loaded clasp (buckle) which is used to secure/release the holder from the adapter ring.

The holder facilitates two magnetic circular filters (polariser and NDs) and two framed 100mm filters, four in total, which is the maximum number you would probably want to use. The beauty of the system is that any combination of filters can be used.

In terms of size, the Armour holder is slightly larger than the K9 holder, as the new Armour system accommodates a 95mm circular polariser, and use of 95mm Armour Circular ND filters. This means that any chance of vignetting is eliminated when used with an extreme wide-angle lens, such as a 14mm.
Although the holder is slightly larger, there is a negligible difference in weight.

Next out of the box, the magnetic circular ND and Polariser. These were surprisingly thin and light, but still felt solid in the hand.
Similar to the Kase Wolverine 100mm filters, they are made of high-quality toughened glass. They are deemed to be scratch resistant, water/dust repellent, and have virtually no colour cast.

There are several Armour kit options available for purchase, (a ‘holder’ kit and an ‘entry’ kit at the time of writing), and also options to purchase individual magnetic circular ND filters in different strengths such as the ND8 (3-stop) and ND64 (6-stop) ND1000 (10-stop). There is also the opportunity to purchase extra frames (should you require them).

Construction

The beauty of this system is that you can use your existing Kase 100mm filters. These require to be fitted inside the magnetic frames.
There is an instruction leaflet provided in the kit which provides a step-by-step guide to the process, which appears quite straightforward, but I also decided to watch the ‘You Tube’ demo video which was very helpful.

As I was only given two frames in the test kit, I had to decide which filters I wanted to frame. I chose two of my most used grads.
It is recommended that a maximum of two magnetic frames are attached to the holder at any one time, but should you desire you could frame up several of your filters so that they are easily interchangeable in the field.

Initial set-up was simple and only took a few minutes. As instructed, I laid the frame and filter on a soft cloth, loosened two of the screws on one side, gently pulled the frame apart slightly and slid the filter into the frame then tightened the screws back up. Et voila!
The filter felt quite secure in the frame.

I then attached the magnetic adapter rings onto the front of the lenses. These simply screw onto the filter threads.

Next I familiarised myself with the holder. It’s easy to remember which way it attaches to the lens as you can feel the raised ‘frame holder plates’ which face the front, and the release buckle faces towards the camera.

The holder simply attaches by the use of magnetic force with a satisfying clunk. No adjustments were necessary. It surprised me how quick it was to attach. It literally pulled out of my hands and on to the adapter ring. Dare I say it, but it was quicker to attach than the K9 holder.
Once the Armour holder is in place it is automatically secured to the adapter ring/lens by the spring-loaded buckle.

The magnetic circular filters (the ND and Polariser) attach to either side of the holder. These also attach very rapidly and lie nicely flush in the holder. This eliminates the chance of light leaks when undertaking long exposures. No foam baffle is required, yet another innovative design benefit of the system.
It is recommended that the polariser is attached to the rear of the holder, and the ND filter to the front. 
This is so you can rotate the magnetic polariser, using the geared ring on the holder. Similar to the K9, you can use the magnetic polariser independently of the Armour holder. Although this is slightly more difficult to rotate in comparison.

Finally, the magnetic framed filters were attached to the front of the holder. These simply click on to the magnetic plates. This again was a quick and simple process although I found that it is important to ensure that the locking screw is fully unscrewed before the frames are attached so that the frames lie flush on the holder.

In the field

After familiarising myself with the system, I was eager to test in the field.
I tested the system on two lenses, a Nikon 24-70mm f2.8, and a 70-200mm f4, using a full frame Nikon D750 camera mounted onto a tripod.

As the polariser attaches to the back of the holder, I had to decide whether the scene warranted its use. I find the polariser particularly useful to cut through haze, and normally survey the scene directly though the filter to see the effect before confirming if it is required.

Assembly was quick and simple. The polariser was mounted in the rear of the holder and then the holder was attached to the adapter ring. The magnetic framed grad was then attached to the front, the positioning adjusted, and then a small turn of the locking screw and the frame was then locked into place. All of which was quick and simple. I was now ready to shoot.

The polariser is rotated via the use of the scroll wheel on the side of the holder and you can make minor adjustments very easily (even with gloves on). It rotates independently leaving the framed filters in their set position.

I found that the magnetic frames slide up and down very smoothly in the holder making it possible to make small adjustments very easily with just one finger (again, even with gloves on).
I did find that it was easier to attach the filters and adjust the positioning than when placed in the K9 holder which uses traditional guide rails.

Removal of the filters and holder is as swift as the connection. To remove the frames the locking screw just needs a small turn and then the frames can be pulled upwards and free of the holder. This literally took seconds.

The holder is also as quick to remove. The release buckle is pulled up slightly then the holder can be gently pulled off. Once you use the system a few times you develop your own technique of attaching/removing the holder and filters.

Conclusion

The landscape can be a harsh environment for camera equipment and you need a filter system which is robust, quick and easy to use, and most of all reliable.
I think the Armour system fulfils those requirements.

It is a very well-designed system, and it is evident Kase have engaged with photographers listening to their feedback, and have designed a product which is very much built for speed and is highly adaptable to cater for the needs of all.
 
The holder is well-designed, lightweight and robust, very quick to attach and works with ease. Once attached, it feels very secure.
The holder accommodates four filters in total, therefore the combinations are endless and can be tailored to suit every type of situation required from ‘simple’ 1 grad landscape shots, to more complex shots featuring numerous filter combinations.

The fact that you can use your existing Kase filters is a bonus, or any 2mm thick filters available on the market. You can purchase the ‘holder’ kit, then tailor the system, adding additional elements to suit your exact requirements.

The magnetic frames which surround the 100mm filters provide a welcome level of added protection. This can only be a good thing, especially when dealing with glass in the great outdoors where at some point in time a drop is inevitable. In fact once I completed the testing and removed the filters from the frames I felt a bit uneasy using them ‘un-armoured’ for the first time!

The system is specifically designed for speed, which is especially important when the light is rapidly changing and speed is of the essence… As we all know, when in the field every second counts.
The holder is quick to attach, and the framed grads simply click into place. No more lining up the grads into the guide rails.

One point to note however, is that in order to guarantee a speedy attachment you need to ensure that the locking screw is fully unscrewed before attempting to attach the framed filters, also to be aware that the circular filters only attach one way (the magnets will repel if fitted the wrong way round) so remembering which way they face is vital for quick assembly.

This did lose me some set-up time initially as I tried to attach the circular filters the wrong way.
I imagine that once you are proficient at using the system this will become second nature. Maybe something for Kase to look at in future production, having an ‘identifier’ such as a brightly coloured dot on the magnet side perhaps? Just a suggestion from my testing experience.

Also bear in mind that it IS a magnetic filter system, therefore the filters have the possibility of attaching to one another if placed together. I kept all the filters in separate pockets of my filter bag, so this was not an issue, but just a point to note when removing the filters in a hurry, not to place them on top of each other, or they may need to be pulled apart.

One final point to note, is that the system is slightly bulkier than the K9 system (larger holder and frames) but not by much and not necessarily heavier as the circular magnetic filters weigh less than the standard 100mm filters.

These points are certainly not in any manner criticisms of the system, just points that I found when using the system for the first time. However, I only had the system on test for a few weeks, and sadly sustained an ankle injury in that time, so my testing time was cut short, so I only managed to test the basics. 

As with all systems, the more you use it, the more accustomed you will become using the holder, which will become second nature.

When I tested the K9 system some years ago I also found some ‘points to note’ but I quickly adapted (after switching from another Manufacturers system) and found the system covered all of my needs (and still does) and using it became second nature.

Would I recommend the Armour system? If you are looking for a good quality system which is highly adaptable, facilitates speedy attachment and ease of use and don’t mind the slight extra bulk, then yes, I would highly recommend!

The post Kase Armour Filter System Review by Kase UK Partner Nicky Goodfellow appeared first on Kase Filters UK.

Rapid, Easy to use, has the Ultimate 100mm filter system arrived?

I’ve been fortunate to be able to try out a brand new Kase Armour Filter system over the past couple of weeks and it’s been an immensely positive experience.

One of the reasons I moved to Kase from another well known filter manufacturer (apart from the unequalled quality of the filters) was that Kase were clearly responsive to feedback from users.

The Armour system is yet another example of that iterative process where suggestions are listened too, considered and used to fuel the development process. The result is an enhancement on an already exceptional system. The Armour system combines much of the simplicity of the increasingly popular round magnetic systems with the ability to integrate 100x150mm graduated ND filters.

It leads, for my specific uses, to the very best of both worlds. 

The Armour holder is a completely new design and before going any further, I think it is a thing of engineering beauty. Very well designed and exquisitely put together. It works and it feels just right. It retains the familiar small red wheel on the left to rotate a polariser. The heritage is as clear as the progression. 

Having familiarised myself with the new filter system, I took an exceptional step and committed to using the new system on a trip to Scotland the following week. Normally I’d not think of using new kit on a significant trip without extensive local testing but I was so impressed with this equipment that I broke the rule of a lifetime and swapped filters over to the new system.

At every turn, this filter system excels. Standing on a hillside in Assynt and drawing the holder from the case, one only has to offer it up to the magnetic ring for fast accurate contact to be made. It is all but snatched from the user’s hand. In difficult conditions, when wearing gloves, this really is quite exceptional. The same process is repeated with the filters in their magnetic frames. No more checking that they are in their intended slots. Straight in, first time, every time.

Heavy rain and high winds made for challenging conditions and compressed photography into brief windows of opportunity. Whenever the need for filters was there, the speed, reliability and simplicity of the new system was unmatched. When the rain did break through my defences, the hydrophobic coating made wiping much quicker and more effective. 

There are times when a calm measure approach to photography is ideal and times when speed and efficiency are paramount. In those moments, equipment choices are critical. Poor choices are found wanting very quickly indeed. I was delighted at how quickly the holder and filters could be attached and changed. I’ve never used anything as quick. 

I’m always a little hesitant when any product gains weight, bulk and apparent complexity. What we know of the whole design process is that by and large, the slimmest, simplest designs are the best. However, as always, the real proof of the pudding is in the eating and in this specific instance I have no hesitation in recommending this in two ways. Firstly I’m going to give it an unreservedly positive review – for my specific purposes of landscape photography, I cannot fault this new system. It is a superb piece of kit that achieves all of the objectives and manages to improve on an already superb product. Secondly over the coming months, I’ll be spending my own money to completely transition over to a fully magnetic Kase Armour kit, which I will extend further as they almost inevitably announce additional products.

I can’t recommend more highly than to invest my own money. In my view this is, by some margin, the best 100x150mm filter system on the market today.

The post Kase Armour system review by landscape photographer Mike Prince appeared first on Kase Filters UK.