Haida magnetic filters, a perfect alternative to a filter system

Friday 13 August 2021, 20:10 by Nando Harmsen | 7,371 views | 3 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

Do you enjoy taking long-exposure photos? Don't you want to buy a complete filter system? Do you dread screwing on round filters? Then the Haida NanoPro magnetic filter system might be a good solution for you. I tested them for you.

Anyone who enjoys shooting with long shutter speeds soon finds themselves needing a filter system. A filter holder, several adapter rings to fit the holder to any lens you want to use, and of course the filters.

It's a sizeable investment. A good-quality filter system will cost you at least 400 euros. Of course, you can make it as expensive as you like, with various ND filters, graduated ND filters, and who knows what else.

Taking photos with the Haida M10 filter system in Lofoten. These filters and the filter holder require a separate filter bag. Not everyone wants to carry one.

A filter system with three adapter rings, for example 67mm, 72mm, and 77mm, a polarising filter, and three ND filters, for example 3, 6 and 10-stop filters, soon requires a separate filter bag. It's very convenient to use, but you do have to carry it all with you.

Screw-in filters instead of a filter system?

The alternative is separate screw-in filters. You attach these directly to the lens. This means you have much less equipment to carry, because you no longer need a filter holder and adapter rings. The disadvantage is that if you want to use an ND filter on several lenses, each with a different filter size, you would have to buy a separate ND filter for every filter size.

Why limit yourself? Buying a filter that only fits one lens is obviously a waste. That's exactly what the entire filter system was developed for. Buy one filter and use it on every lens, now and in the future.

There are solutions, of course. Step-up rings. These turn your lens's filter size into a larger size. A 67mm filter size becomes 82mm. A 72mm filter size also becomes 82mm, and a 77mm filter size becomes... You guessed it, 82mm as well.

Step-up rings allow you to fit a large filter to lenses with smaller diameters. This means you don't have to buy a separate filter for every lens.

This means that with a few step-up rings, you can use an 82mm filter on every lens. Buy a single 82mm ND filter, and together with a few step-up rings you can use it on all your lenses, regardless of the filter size.

Of course, this also has a disadvantage. Have you ever screwed a filter onto your lens? It can be difficult, especially when the filters are very thin. If you then want to remove the filter and screw it onto another lens, it's not very user-friendly.

Taking photos on the mudflats. You would rather not fiddle with screw-in filters here. A magnetic filter simply clicks into place. Fast, safe, and extremely convenient.

You might think that the filter system is once again the best solution. And it is, except that magnetic filters are also available. This is a perfect alternative, giving you the convenience of quickly changing filters and a compact size for carrying them.

Haida NanoPro magnetic filters, a perfect solution

Over the past few months, I have used the Haida NanoPro magnetic ND filters. A magnetic holder was screwed onto the lens once. The filter then simply clicked into place when held in front of it. All thanks to the strong magnets, which held it perfectly in place.

The Haida NanoPro magnetic ND filter fits perfectly into the magnetic ring. Fitting, removing and changing it takes no effort at all.

Although I used step-up rings to use the 82mm filter on lenses with smaller diameters, magnetic holders are also available in different sizes. A step-up ring to 82mm that is magnetic. This means you screw the ring onto your lens once and then simply click the filter into it.

The filters are fantastic. They are not susceptible to flare and produce no colour cast, even when several filters are used. The seal is perfect, so no light can leak through. What's more, the filters are so thin that a 16mm angle of view on full frame shows no vignetting. There is only minimal vignetting when using two filters at the same time.

To check the colour accuracy, I compared shots without and with filters. All images are unprocessed. There is no colour cast at all, even with two filters at the same time.

Do you want to read the full review? Then I'll refer you to my website, so I don't have to write everything out twice. The great thing about the Haida NanoPro magnetic filter system is that a whole range of filters is available. Various ND filters, a polarising filter, a night filter, and even a graduated ND filter.

The dynamism of a wave breaker on the Wadden Sea. Photographed with the Haida NanoPro magnetic ND3.0 filter.

This brings me to the only disadvantage of these filters. Although a graduated ND filter is available, with a system like this the graduation will always be in the centre. That is usually not where you want it.

Do you use graduated ND filters? Then a filter system is the best choice. The long 150mm filters allow you to place the graduation anywhere in the image, and at any angle. This is not possible with round magnetic filters.

Minimalism on the mudflats. Photographed with the Haida NanoPro magnetic ND3.0 filter.

Do you never use graduated ND filters? Do you only want to use ND filters, possibly together with a polarising filter? Then it's certainly worth considering the convenient magnetic system. If you already have a filter system, just stick with it. That is also perfectly usable, of course.

The Haida Nano-Pro magnetic filters are available via www.omnifoto.nl. If you decide to buy them, mention in the comments field with your order that you received all the information through me.

Haida NanoPro magnetic ND filters are a perfect alternative for anyone who does not want a complete filter system.

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