Highest quality ND filters for APO Summicron-SL lenses?

[Dr. G]

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I'm looking for a set of ND Filters for my APO Summicron-SL set.  I recently came upon this article:

https://www.vieribottazzini.com/2021/08/best-filters-for-landscape-photography.html#google_vignette

It seems the Kase and Wine Country filters have the least effect on resolution and color cast, but the Kase only comes as a magnetic system.  Has anyone tried either of these?

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[Virob]

Since all the SL apo lenses have the same filter thread of 67mm, a magnetic circular filter system would be the simplest and most compact. If it were me, I would get this set from Maven.

https://mavenfilters.com/product/maven-magnetic-filter-sets/

Here is a comparison between Maven and Kase filters from a guy who used used both in the field.

 

[jaapv]

I can endorse Vieri wholeheartedly, a constructive member here. Unfortunately he does not contribute as much now as he used to. 

[robb]

I use B+W vari ND filters 1-5 on my apo summicrons for my video needs.  Have not noticed any color casts or issues.

i use heliopan circular polarizers.  They are my favorite filters ever.  But they don’t make every type of filter… so I always look for German glass if I have to go with another maker.

Robb

[IkarusJohn]

I use Formatt Hitech Firecrest filters on Vieri’s recommendation.

[LeicaR10]

Dr G,   I use Breakthrough Photography ND filters for well over a decade.  These are color neutral and I found them to be excellent filters. Others have their own favorites.  r/ Mark

Try:  https://breakthrough.photography

Try:  https://breakthrough.photography/products/x4-neutral-density?variant=30850759697

[wellfleet]

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The Kase KW Revolution Magnetic Filter System is excellent, and its color coding is definitely an advantage over the Kase Wolverine Magnetic Filter System. You might also consider the Maven circular case. If you don't really need ND grads then circular magnetics are the way to go.

 

 

[jdlaing]

Breakthrough.

[lightsourcekauai]

I use the Lee Filters. I have the 10 stop (Big Stopper) and the 6 stop (Little Stopper). These are square filters and go with the 100 system. I have a 67mm adapter ring (for the 21 APO) and a 82mm adapter ring for the 90-280. This system also allows for the use of Graduated ND filters and all other Lee filters in the 100 system. I even have a CPL that works with this system, too. Lee ND filters have a bluish cast. I don’t mind it as I often photograph water or the oceans. I’ve used B+W ND filters in the past and find them to have a very strong magenta cast, which I don’t particularly like. Just harder for me to get the White Balance right in post. 

[Virob]

2 hours ago, lightsourcekauai said:

I use the Lee Filters. I have the 10 stop (Big Stopper) and the 6 stop (Little Stopper). These are square filters and go with the 100 system. I have a 67mm adapter ring (for the 21 APO) and a 82mm adapter ring for the 90-280. This system also allows for the use of Graduated ND filters and all other Lee filters in the 100 system. I even have a CPL that works with this system, too. Lee ND filters have a bluish cast. I don’t mind it as I often photograph water or the oceans. I’ve used B+W ND filters in the past and find them to have a very strong magenta cast, which I don’t particularly like. Just harder for me to get the White Balance right in post. 

The Lee 100 mm IRND filters are some of the very best available and colour neutral unlike the Big Stopper, but hard to find and expensive.  I use the 10 stop IRND, and a mix of others. I stopped using graduated filters and get better results blending multiple exposures. To me, the square system made sense when using graduated ND filters. If I was to start over again I would go with circular magnetic filters.

[lightsourcekauai]

10 hours ago, Virob said:

The Lee 100 mm IRND filters are some of the very best available and colour neutral unlike the Big Stopper, but hard to find and expensive.  I use the 10 stop IRND, and a mix of others. I stopped using graduated filters and get better results blending multiple exposures. To me, the square system made sense when using graduated ND filters. If I was to start over again I would go with circular magnetic filters.

Interesting. I might have to try the magnetic filters. Thanks for the tip. 🤙

[Dr. G]

I ended up ordering the Maven magnetic filters.  They were incredibly helpful and, even though I didn't get in on the latest kickstarter campaign, they were able to send me some of their new filters that aren't yet available on the website.  I picked up a 2 stop ND to keep my Summilux-SL in mechanical shutter range in bright sunlight, linear polarizers that they just introduced (which should work much better with my 21 APO), and a bunch of other stuff.  The filters are very high quality and from what I see so far there's no color cast with the LPLs.

Edited May 9, 2024 by Dr. G