Breakthrough Filters - Magnetic Filter System

For the last week, I have been testing the Breakthrough Filters Magnetic Filter System.  The system uses magnets to attach filters that sit on the end of your lens. The magnetic system means no screwing on and off of filters and no getting filters stuck on adapter rings or on the end of your lens.  You do need to screw on the Magnetic filter holder.

Pros of Breakthrough Filters Magnetic Filter System:

• Fastest on/off of any filter system

• Mount securely but remove easily

• Low profile

• Sharp/Extremely high quality

• No color cast

Cons of Breakthrough Filters Magnetic Filter System:

• Not easily stackable*

• Cannot use with a lens hood

*Breakthrough Photography solution to the stackable issue - they sell filters that combine two functions - Their Dark CPL filters combine a circular polarizer with a 3 or 6 stop ND. Alternatively, you have the option of buying an additional filter holder that allows you to use add-on square filters.

BreakthroughFiltersMagnetic

Alternative:

Manfrotto offers a similar system that allows you to bring your own filters - they sell you a holder and adapters for your filter. I hope to bring you a hands-on review soon but if you already have existing filters the cost is much cheaper.

Learn More

Hands-on Nisi Filter System for Long Exposures

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIJnUuIhy-wI have used the Nisi Filter System for over a year now and think this is the best system out there.To start you pick up the V5 Pro kit for $180 - I recommend you purchase from B&H Photo This includes a nice protective case, high-quality circular polarizer that is integrated into the 82mm ring, the filter holder and adapter rings (that allow the holder to be used with lenses that have 67mm, 72mm, or 77mm front filter threads. Additional rings are available for purchase)I recommend you add:

• Nano IRND 1.8 Filter (6 Stop) [Buy from B&H Photo]
• Nano Soft-Edge Graduated IRND 0.9 Filter (3-Stop) [Buy from B&H Photo]

The 6 stop allows you to easily do long exposures in cloudy conditions or near sunrise/sunset. If you want to achieve long exposures in bright conditions pick up the Nano IRND 3.0 Filter (10 Stop) [Buy from B&H Photo]  The Nisi V5 Pro holder is their latest edition and it's improved over the original. Earlier models were very difficult to slide the glass plates in/out of and this updated version is much better while still holding them securely in place.Advantages of Nisi over LeeThe NISI system comes in a nice leather carrying case everything is protected and a silent soft magnetic latch makes it easy to access. Downside - it is a little bulkyNisi offers an integrated circular polarizer often times when I'm using these filters I'm photographing water and I do want to use a circular polarizer to control or cut the amount of Reflections and it's so easy to rotate with little dials on the edge of the filter holder.The Nisi system comes with a variety of adapters that allow you to use it with lenses- 67mm, 72mm, 77mm, and 82mm Adapter Rings. Additional adapter rings are available for purchase. Quality - Extremely sharp and no color casts. I found the Lee system to have strong cool or blue color casts in their stronger ND filters. Why do I recommend the NISI system over stacking several circular filters?

• Flexibility- this system allows me to use graduated filters AND circular polarizers together and easily.
• no vignetting even on my widest lenses.

Variable ND Filter vs Non-Variable ND

https://youtu.be/lJGmo4cS0s4The Genustech variable neutral density filter or fader lets you easily control the amount of light entering your camera. With a twist of the ring, you can reduce the light from 2 to 8 stops. This can be useful if you want to shoot at slower shutter speeds during the day- like a waterfall, ocean or crowded street or if you are shooting video and want to keep your shutter speed around 1/50 of a second and control your depth of field both lending to a more cinematic look.[himage][/himage]Rollover to see the longer shutter speeds possible with an ND filterThe filter is a glass and aluminum construction, very well made with smooth rotation and the optical quality is excellent. Clear markings on the filter ring indicate the strength of the filter. I have been using the 82mm size for my 24-70 f/2.8 lens. You can stack additional filters with the front threads accepting 86mm filter size - larger to avoid vignette. One downside to the larger size, your lens hoods and lens caps no longer fit. They do offer additional sizes down to 52mm. B&H has the full list of sizes.So this sounds great - one affordable high-quality filter that gives you great versatility in the amount of light you block. There is a drawback and this is true of all variable filters, at certain strengths you can get a very noticeable X pattern in the sky. This makes these filters unusable in some situations.[himage][/himage][himage][/himage]The alternative is a non-variable ND filter which comes in various strengths. I generally recommend 3 or 6 stop for photographers looking to use in a variety of situations. You can stack ND filters though if you really want the ability to stack you should consider something like the LEE system which has very versatile setups. I have a link below to recommended sizes and strengths and will be talking about the Lee system after my Iceland trip.Recommended 3-stop filters (also labeled ND8 and 0.9)These will allow you to block 3 stops of light i.e 1/250 of a second to 1/30Budget: Tiffen 0.9 ND Filter (link to 77mm, make sure you purchase the correct size for your lenses)Premium: B+W 77mm 0.9 ND 103 FilterRecommended 6-stop filters (also labeled ND64 and 1.8)These will allow you to block 6 stops of light i.e 1/250 of a second to 1/4 of a second.Budget: Hoya 77mm Pro 1 Digital Neutral Density 64x Filter (link to 77mm, make sure you purchase the correct size for your lenses)Premium: B+W 77mm 1.8 ND MRC 106M FilterIf you want seriously long exposures in the middle of the day- the BIG STOPPER 10-stop ND filter is best.B+W 77mm 3.0 ND MRC 110M FilterAnd if you want control without using a variable - the Lee or Hitech filters are the way to go. They offer stacking and provide an easy way adjust graduated ND filters.More about the Lee Filter System at B&H Photo VideoBuy the Genustech Variable ND Filter from B&H Photo VideoScantips has an easy calculator to determine differences in stops. 

Don't be a LAZY photographer

Many photographers want ND filters to get those more dreamy looking waterfalls or smooth water beach photos and if you find yourself at your location and you still can’t get long enough shutter speeds to get the look you desired you are probably being lazy and trying to photograph during the middle of the day when you have massive amount of light and the quality of the light is harsh and flat. Don’t be lazy - get up earlier when the light levels are lower and the quality is softer and more directional. Or just stay out till evening. For many years, I photographed loads of longer exposure waterfall photos without an ND filter.Learn more about circular polarizers - sometimes useful as an ND filter too.

Filter Systems Compared - Kase vs Nisi vs Haida vs Hoya

Don't waste money on UV Filters
In general I am not a fan of UV filters, they offer little protection from a fall and the glass at the end of your lens is pretty tough, it's not going to get scratched unless you are very careless. I prefer lens hoods as they do offer some protection from falls and nicely protect the end of the lens from coming into contact with  random objects without degrading image quality.   I do prefer camera brand lens hoods, I have tried a few of the third party and they often fit just a bit awkwardly making the putting on and taking off just a bit slower. Some of the very cheap 3rd party lens hoods actually use the filter threads to attach, this is bad as it blocks you from adding a filter and is very cumbersome to put on take off.

Circular Polarizer Filters are useful
The one filter I do recommend landscape photographers own (or anyone taking scenic view photos) is a circular polarizer (CP Filter). Some benefits of a CP filter include:

• CP filters reduce reflections and glare

• Reduces Haze and blue cast in landscapes

• Adds saturation to your sky and greenery

Recommended Hoods and Polarizers for Common Lenses

More about CP filters. There are other specialized filters worth owning for some situations but a CP is one that many don't know they need and gives you a look that is not reproducible with post processing. The brands I list I find to be safe choices at each of those price points, there are certainly other brands/choices at each price point.Roll your mouse over the image to see the effects of using a circular polarizer ( no other changes were made - I simply rotated the circular polarizer from what I call zero effect to maximum effect)[himage][/himage]Scroll to the bottom for a plan to save on filters.  Don't see your lens listed? Check the list at the bottom for all current Canon and Nikon lens sizes.

77mm CP Filters

• Budget (Tiffen)

• Middle (Hoya)

• High-end (B+W)

72mm CP Filters

• Budget (Tiffen)

• Middle (Hoya)

• High-end (B+W)

67mm includes Canon Lenses 18-135mm EF-S STM, 10-18 STM and Nikon 18-140 

• Budget (Tiffen)

• Middle (Hoya)

• High-end (B+W)

58mm Recommended lens hood for 18-135 STM 58mm 18-55 EF-S, 18-55 STM, 75-300, 50mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.8, 100mm f/2.8 macro 

• Budget (Tiffen)

• Middle (Hoya)

• High-end (B+W)

52mm Recommended lens hood for 75-300 & (Kit Lens)18-55 EF-S 52mm includes Canon lenses 60 EF-S, 50mm f/1.8, 35mm f/2,  Nikon Lenses 18-55(kit), 55-200

• Budget (Tiffen)

• Middle (Hoya)

• High-end (B+W)

Recommended lens hood for 60mm EF-S

Recommended lens hood for 40 f/2.8 STM
Instead of buying a filter or filters for each sized lens you can but this set of step UP adapters and then buy the largest filter(s) you need and use the adapter(s) to fit to each of your smaller mm lenses. So in this example you would buy filters in the 67mm size and use the 67-62 + the 62-58 adapters to use that filter on your 58mm lens. And throw on the 58-55 and the 55-52 to step down to the smallest lens in this example. Truthfully I have never used more than one at a time but there isn't any reason why it shouldn't work and these adapters are glassless, so nothing extra between you and your filters.

Fotodiox 7 Metal Step UP Ring Set, Anodized Black Metal. 77-72mm, 72-67mm, 67-62mm, 62-58mm, 58-55mm, 55-52mm, 52-49mm

Ready to get more serious about your filter system? I recommend the NiSi System or Kase Magnetic System

Video Links

Wolverine Kase Magnetic Kit - https://bhpho.to/3D8DVGk
Magnetic Lens hood - https://bhpho.to/3vEuUCv
Kase Magnetic Step Up Ring - https://bhpho.to/3m1b0yv

Nisi v6 Pro Starter Kit - https://bhpho.to/3m1aMHD
Nisi 6 stop ND - https://bhpho.to/3vvx07M

Haida Rear Filter Kits - https://bhpho.to/3vEvAYz

Hoya CPL Filter -https://bhpho.to/30DuSPO
6 Stop ND Filter - https://bhpho.to/3jHxUth

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Complete List of Nikon and Canon Lenses/Filter Sizes

1

NIkon LENS

Filter Size

2

3

DX Lenses

4

10.5mm f/2.8G AF DX Fish

5

12-24mm f/4.06 AF-S DX

77MM

6

16-85mm f/3.5G AF-S DX

77MM

7

17-55mm f/2.8G AF-S DX

52MM

8

18-55mm f/3.5-56 II AF-S DX

52MM

9

18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 VR AFS DX

52MM

10

18.70mm f/3.5-4.56 AF-S DX

67MM

11

18-135mm f13.5-5.66 AF-S DX

67MM

12

18-200mm 1/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX

72MM

13

55.200mm f/4.0-5.66 AF-S DX

52MM

14

55-200mm f14.0-5.66 ED AF-S VR DX

52MM

15

AP-D NIKKOR LENS (For Digital & 35MM)

16

14mm f/2.8D

17

16mm f/2.8D AF Fish

18

20mm f/2.8D AF

62MM

19

24nim f/2.8D AF

52MM

20

24mm f/3.5D ED PCE Manual

77MM

21

28mm f/2.8D AF

52MM

22

35mm f/2.00 AF

52MM

23

45mm 1/2.80 ED PCE Manual

77MM

24

50mm f/1.8D AF

52MM

25

50mm f/1.4D AF

52MM

26

60mm f/2.8D AF Micro

62MM

27

60mm f/2.8D ED Micro

62MM

28

85mm f/2.8D PC Micro PCE Manual

77MM

29

85mm f/1.80 AF

62MM

30

85mm f/1.40 AF

77MM

31

105mm f/2.86 AF-S VR Micro

62MM

32

105mm f/2.0D AF DC

72MM

33

135mm f/2.00 AF DC

72MM

34

180mm 1/2.80 AF (720)

72MM

35

200mm f/4.00 AF Micro

62MM

36

200mm f/2.0G AF-S VR 52MM

rear

37

300mm f/4.0D AF-S

77MM

38

300mm f/2.86 AF-S VR 52MM

rear

39

400mm f/2.8G AF-S ED VR L

40

500mm f/46 AF-S ED VR L

41

600mm f/4G AF-S ED VR L

42

AF ZOOM NIKKOR LENS (For Digital & 35MM)

43

14.24mm f/2.8G AF-S

44

17-35mm f/2.8D

77MM

45

24-70mm f/2.8G AF-S

46

24.85mm f12.8-4

47

24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR

72MM

48

70-200mm f/2.8G AF-S VR

77MM

49

70-300mm f/4-5.6G

62MM

50

70.300mm f/4.5-5.6G AF-S VR

67MM

51

80-200mm f/2.80

77MM

52

80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D VR

77MM

53

200-400mm f/4.0G AF-S VR 52MM

rear

54

MANUAL FOCUS AIS NIKKOR LENSES

55

20mm f/2.8

62MM

56

28mm f/2.8 AIS MF

52MM

57

35mm f/1.4 AIS MF

52MM

58

50mm f/1.2 AIS MF

52MM

59

50mm f/1.4 AIS MF

52MM

60

55mm f/2.8 Micro

52MM

61

135mm f/2.8 Series E

52MM

62

TC-201 2x Teleconver

63

TC-301 2x Teleconver

1

LENS

Filter Size

2

3

14mm f/2.8L11USM Super Wide-Angle (Rear 8e1)...

4

15mm f/2.8 Fisheye (

Rear

5

24mm f/1.4L USM AF.

77MM

6

24mm f/2.8

58MM

7

TS-E 24mm f/3.5L MF Tilt Shift

72MM

8

35mm f/1.4L USM AF

72MM

9

45mm f/2.8 TS-E (Manual Focus)

72MM

10

50mrn f/1.2L USM AF Normal..

72MM

11

50mm f/1.4 USM .

58MM

12

50mm f/2.5 Macro (1:2) 5

52MM

13

65mm f/2.8 MP-E Macro 1x-5x (MF) 5

58MM

14

85mm f/1.2L II USM AF 7

72MM

15

85mm f/1.8 USM 5

58MM

16

90mm f/2.8 TS-E (Manual Focus) 5

58MM

17

100mm f/2.0 USM 5

58MM

18

100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

58MM

19

135mm f/2.0L USM Lens..

72MM

20

135mm f/2.8 Soft

52MM

21

180mm f/3.5L Macro USM

72MM

22

200mm f/2.8L II USM .

72MM

23

200mm /2 EF IS U

24

25

300mm f/2.8L IS USM . 52MM

rear

26

300mm f/4.0L IS USM

77MM

27

400mm f/4.0 DO IS USM.. 52MM

rear

28

500mm f/4.0L IS USM AF... 52MM

rear

29

600mm f/4.0L IS IS USM AF.. 52MM

rear

30

800mm f/5.6L IS USM 52MM

rear

31

2x EF Extender

32

16-35mm f/2.8L II USM AF

77MM

33

17-40mm f/4L USM AF.

77MM

34

24.70mm f/2.8L USM AF

77MM

35

24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM AF

67MM

36

24-105mm f/4L IS USM AF..

77MM

37

28-90mm f/4-5.6111

58MM

38

28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM

58MM

39

28-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

72MM

40

28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

72MM

41

28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM

77MM

42

70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

77MM

43

70-200mm f/2.8L

44

67MM

45

70.200mm f/4.0L

46

70-200mm f/4L IS USM

67MM

47

70.300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

58MM

48

70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

58MM

49

75-300mm f/4-5.6111

58MM

50

75.300mm f/4-5.6 III USM

58MM

51

100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM5

58MM

52

100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM AF 7

77MM

53

EF-S LENSES

54

10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM 7

77MM

55

17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

77MM

56

17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS

67MM

57

18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 13 ..

72MM

58

f/2.8 USM Macro Lens ..

52MM

59

55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS AF

58MM