As a landscape photographer, I sometimes find myself in need of different filters in order to achieve the shot that I am after. For example, I might need a clear filter such as UV filter for a bit of protection when I am shooting in dusty or wet environments to protect my lens. I might also need ND filters for shooting video or getting those long exposure shots during the daytime. Last but not least, I am a huge fan of CPL filters, as they give me those punchy clouds against the blue sky, especially in the mountains. If I had to pick only one, it would definitely be a CPL, since it’s impossible to replicate its effect in post-processing.
The issue here is that you can’t always use a CPL. Sometimes the lighting situation would vary and the filter cuts off quite a bit of the light, slowing down your shutter. So you would have to be quite deliberate in terms of when to attach it. I’ve always preferred screw-on variants, as they are very compact and easy to take with me on my travels. The only issue with them is that it takes time to screw them on. I would have to take them out and start screwing it onto the tiny thread (very hard to do in winter with cold fingers!). This means that using filters for any “in the moment” shots was completely out of the question, unless you just happened to have it attached by sheer coincidence at the time. The end result is that for the most part I just ended up shooting without any filters and only attached them when it was a pre-planned shot. Kind of defeats the purpose of buying a filter collection if they just end up sitting in your bag!
Since Kenko Tokina provided me samples of their new Kenko PRO1D+ Instant Action system, I’ve been using my filters way more. I currently have the UV, CPL and variable ND filters. They work just like any other equivalent filter, but where the magic happens is the way they attach to the lens. Basically, you just screw the magnetic ring onto your lens and leave it there. It is very thin and won’t interfere with any lens caps.
The filter system works as a set - magnetic attachment ring + filter itself
The ring is super thin and will work with lens caps
The ring while attached to the front of the lens
You just snap the filter in place like so!
When you need to use your filter, you just take your compatible variant and snap it onto the magnetic ring. It is super easy and does not take any fine motor skills, so it’s easy to do in winter and while wearing gloves or attaching it to your lens without disturbing your camera on a tripod. What’s most important, it literally takes less than a second. The result is that I’ve been using my CPL way more often than before, as long as I have it within reach, I can attach it very quickly and keep going. Another benefit is that I often do blending of different exposures or times of day in post-processing, so it’s imperative the camera is not moved on the tripod in between shots. This is virtually impossible to achieve with conventional screw-on filters. Now I’ve been able to combine standard, long exposure and CPL shots without moving the camera at all!
Using magnets is a very simple solution so in hindsight I’m really surprised nobody thought of it sooner! But I’m super happy it has been solved and the #1 issue I’ve always had, which is inconvenient attachment, is finally gone!
You can have a look at their Instant Action line-up here.
Below you can see some examples of CPL filters in action!
