The Case for Kase Wolverine Magnetic Filters

Kase Filters have really made a name for themselves in recent years, especially with their excellent Wolverine Magnetic Circular series.

Let me preface this article by clarifying that I’m NOT a Kase “Ambassador”, and this is in no way “sponsored” post. I just thought it might be a good way to answer the many queries I get on the topic.

TL;DR = I highly recommend them!

Many people who follow me on YouTube, and my various social media have noticed I switched across to this system about six months ago, and even though I hadn’t referred to it specifically, a lot of enquiries led me to mention it briefly in a gear review video. I have answered many direct messages and emails about them.

Let me start by saying you can take it as read that they are of very impressive optical quality, as you would expect from a premium manufacturer such as Kase. Their reputation in that respect preceeds them. And their pricing is comparable with filter systems from other reputable manufacturers.

But there are two key reasons that prompted me to switch to the system.

Firstly, their ease of use. Simply select a set which is large enough for the widest diameter thread you have on any of your lenses, and then fit an appropriate magnetic step up ring onto all of your other smaller diameter lenses. Kase offer magnetic lens caps which then allow you to simply keep the adapter ring in place on all of your lenses, and when you want to use the filter there is no need to mess about attaching a bulky holder. You’re always ready to go.

And for landscape photographers who are hiking and taking handheld shots, in just a couple of seconds you can have a CPL and/or Grad filter on your lens in seconds.

Secondly, and probably most importantly in my case, is how easy they are to store and transport. And this is something which Kase might have missed out in their promotion of this excellent system. For users of more portable systems, like myself with Micro 4/3 gear, the size, weight and portability are always high on our list of priorities. And this was a clear winner for me!

Because the glass of each filter doesn’t come into contact with the others when stacked, there is no need to keep them in separate slips as with standard glass filters. You don’t have to worry about any dust or grit getting in between them and scratching them. So when I carry 3 ND filters, a CPL and a 3-stop Grad I simply stick them together in one block (remember, they are magnetic!) and then slip them into a pouch that I keep on my tripod leg. In case you’re wondering, this is the Wandrd Tech Pouch (large) which, apart from lenses, carries all of my accessories. So everything is always to hand.

And not having to carry a large filter holder or set of bulky glass filters, the Kase Wolverine system is just perfect. And I know that quite a few of my M4/3 followers have picked up on me using it and/or seen my brief review of it and followed suit! They have all agreed that having a series of filters immediately to hand which simply stick onto the lens adapter works really well and it’s so convenient.

Now, of course the section of the pouch that I’m using has soft felt lining so I don’t have to worry about the filter at either end of the stack being scratched. But if my pouch had a coarser lining material, then to avoid scratching the exposed glass I would simply slip them into a soft pouch or bag, but still stacked in this way. And there would be almost no increase in the bulk.

The leather pouch which is supplied with the Kase Professional filter kit is a beautifully crafted and robust item, but its small carabiner clip doesn’t make it easy to hang onto a tripod. And in any case, even if it could, I wouldn’t leave it there when being transported as it would tend to flop about all over the place! I did start out using it, but was too bulky for carrying in this tripod pouch, so it was in my backpack with my other lenses. I soon switched the filters into the tripod pouch so they are handy.

When I am hiking I carry my camera either on a strap or the Peak Design capture clip to take rapid handheld shots of fleeting light. So I carry just the Grad and CPL in a Wandrd D1 Fanny pack. The lining material of that is slightly coarser, so I simply wrap them in a micro fibre lens cloth and they have never come to any harm despite the extensive abuse which all of my kit receives on a regular basis when scrambling about in the mountains or on the coast!

Really hope this is helpful, but if you’ve got any other queries don’t hesitate to make contact. Click here for details these filters and of other my current gear.