Choosing which Kase filters to order

Kase Wolverine Armour 100mm Magnetic System

I've been using the Kase filter system for a couple of years now and love how the system performs for me. This blog post will help you decide what you need to order.

Circular Magnetic Filters

The Kase Wolverine Magnetic Circular Filters consist of a circular polariser (CPL) and neutral density filters (ND's) in 3, 6, 10 and 16 stop versions. They are availble in 77mm, 82mm and 95mm diameters. (more of deciding which diameter to choose shortly) The 16 stop filter is available separatly - not part of a kit.

The diameter size refers to the diameter of the filter, NOT the thread size. The Kase circular magnetic filters magnetically attach to the camera with an adapter ring. The adaper ring screws into the lens thread and the filters magnetically snap onto the ring. You can stack CPL and ND's as required. They are very easy to add and remove and require no fiddly screwing in and out or slotting into a holder in the field. On a practical level this is significant to settng up quickly enough not to miss fleeting moments of light.

For best results - leave an adaper ring on each lens. (Magnetic lens-caps and plastic clip on ones are both available.)

I would regard these filters as staple kit. They allow you to control glare with the polariser and control shutterspeeds in almost any lighting situation, whether you are looking to simply slow the shutter speed to create backwash drag on a beach, or shoot stylised long expsures.

If you don’t use, or never plan to use grads and prefer to blend exposures, then you only need a set of magnetic circular filters.

Deciding which size filters to order

Your camera system and lenses will dictate which size filter diameter you need to order, to ensure you don’t get vignetting. Check on this page to see which size you need to avoid vignetting and choose the largest.

Crucially, if you plan to use grads, you must get the 95mm system so that the Kase Wolverine Armour System Holder can be fitted.

Using Gradualted Filters in tandem with the magnetic ND's and CPL

I still like to use graduated filters. I will occasionally blend images, but prefer to use grads and get the general balance of an image right in camera. I sometimes bracket images as a precaution, but don't rely on blending images in the first instance. 

What I like about the Kase system, is that on when I am shooting flat light, I just use the round filters, but if the conditions change and I find I need grads, I can simply snap on the Armour holder and add a graduated filter. Positioning the filter is simple, simply slide it into the desired position.

A CPL and a 95mm ND can be fitted at the same time. If you already have a CPL on your adapter ring, you just fit the holder on top of it and it automatically locates into a recess in the holder and can be adjusted with the wheel on the side of the holder.

The gradualted filters initally need to be fitted inside magntetic frames to attach them to the holder. This only neds to be done once. You can fit exisiting 100x150mm third party filters into the holder if you are migrating gradually from a different system.

Probably the master kit and the rings are the best way to start as a lot of what I have is part of that. The holder, polariser, 100mm Soft/Hard 0.9 (3-stop) Double Grad filter, 3,6 and 10 stop filters are all included. Just add on the extra adapter rings for your additional lenses. It also has 77mm and 82mm adapter rings as well as step up rings in case you have 67 or 72mm lens threads.

I find the silicone magnetic lens caps worthwhile for speed. I also got the leather case for the 95mm round filters (CPL and ND’s). I leave the rings fitted to my lenses to make setting up much faster. 

The filters I use the most often are:
GRADS
2 stop medium grad or double grad
3 stop reverse grad or double grad
3 stop medium grad
Double Grad- does the job of both the above (3stop reverse and medium)- ideal. You use whichever end of the filter you need to grad the sky, reverse grad is lighter at the top and dark on the horizon. The medium grad has a medium transition and is dark all the way to the top above the transition. Using a reverse grad prevents the top portion of the sky being “overgrazed” (too dark) at the top of the frame, which can sometimes happen.
NEUTRAL DENSITY
3stop ND for the backwash slow but not long exposures. Ideal in subdued light (golden hour for 1-4second shutter speeds)
4 stop ND for the backwash slow but not long exposures. Ideal in subdued light (golden hour for 1-4second shutter speeds)
Armour CPL these may be included depending on the holder kit you get.
6 Stop armour these may be included depending on the holder kit you get.
10 stop armour these may be included depending on the holder kit you get.
16 stop armour you can double up the 10 and 6 stop, but this 16 stop does it in 1 filter. Good in very bright weather / summer.
I have a frame for my 4 stop ND as they don’t do a round magnetic 4 stop, just 3, 6, 10 and 16
150x100 frames you’ll need one of these for each rectangular grad you buy
The Master Kit has a lot of the above in it. May be a great option.

Don’t forget addittional adapter rings 72mm 77mm 82mm if you have more than two lenses. The system is so quick to use if you leave the rings fitted to the lenses.

Feel free to call or message if you’re not sure.
If you have been on a 1-2-1 or workshop with me please ask me for a code which will give you a 10% discount.