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Review Kase KW Revolution Kit
The KW Revolution Filter system is the latest circular filter system from Kase. The kit includes 3 different strengths of ND filters and a polarization filter. The kit's name implies quite a groundbreaking improvement over the previous systems. Can Kase actually make this happen? You can read it in this review.
Contents
The complete kit consists of a compact bag containing 3 ND filters: a 3-stop ND8, a 6-stop ND64 and a 10-stop ND1000 filter. In addition, the set is supplemented with a CPL (polarization) filter, two adapter rings and a magnetic lens cap that fits on the filters.
Adapter rings and installation
With this system you can choose from 2 ways to apply your filters. First of all, there is the option to screw the traditional magnetic adapter ring onto the thread of your lens. Then you simply have to 'click' the filters onto the adapter ring, because the magnetic connection is firm and secure. This is what we are used to from previous circular filter systems.
With this system you can choose from 2 ways to apply your filters. First of all, there is the option to screw the traditional magnetic adapter ring onto the thread of your lens. Then you simply have to 'click' the filters onto the adapter ring, because the magnetic connection is firm and secure. This is what we are used to from previous circular filter systems.
What is new is the magnetic inlay ring. A very thin and light ring that remains in the interior of your thread, so that the adapter ring does not end up on the outer edge of your lens. This means that the filter that you then click on is closer to the glass of your lens, and the chance of vignetting in wide angle is reduced. We will soon find out whether this will work out completely.
The insert ring must be screwed in with a plastic wrench, which feels a bit rickety when you apply force, but that may be a good thing. The last thing you want is to slip a sturdy part and scratch the precious glass of your lens! It seems a bit cumbersome to screw in this way, but it is a great advantage that you can then simply leave the insert ring in place. First of all, you don't have to worry about elements protruding from the outside of your lens that get stuck in your camera bag, and with the inlay ring installed there is always the option to quickly attach a filter. Even when you put the camera away again, there is no immediate need to remove the inlay ring, because the original lens cap and/or the Kase magnetic lens cap also fits on it. The only reasons to remove the ring that I can think of would be to thoroughly clean your lens, or in case you are also working with a square filter system for the graduated filters. The connection between the inlay ring and the filters themselves is again very sturdy. Even a firm tap on the tripod does not loosen the connection, so you don't have to worry about losing a filter while moving.
The filters
As a rule, there is nothing to complain about with Kase filters. As you would expect from Kase, the filters are very sturdy, clear, there is no disturbing color cast and the images retain their sharpness. In addition, I did not experience any flares or ghosting during the landscape photography sessions on the coast with these filters. Furthermore, the filters do what they are supposed to do excellently. The CPL blocks any disturbing reflections and enhances contrasts, depending on how you turn the filter. This turning is easy and smooth by turning the outer ring of the filter itself. By using the ND filters you can extend the shutter speeds. A handy function for the landscape photographer who wants to play with the different effects, but also for the videographer who wants to reduce the excessively strong light. In that respect, there is not much exciting to report about the filter glass itself (after all, it does what it is supposed to do). But let's talk about those outer rings.
Color coding
That's how it is. The best inventions often lead to the following thought: why was this never thought of before! The color coding given to the outer rings is as simple as it is effective: silver for CPL; red for ND1000; yellow for ND64; blue for ND8. How many times have I touched every filter I have in my bag in the field before I got the right one. The previous circular filters all look the same on the outside, so you either had to be organized to put your filters back in the right place in your bag (and I never am in the heat of battle), or like me So take a chance and lose valuable time. Not anymore.
Usability
Because with that simple solution of color coding you will never go wrong again. You can find the right filter at a glance, and because of the speed of the system and the already installed ring, you can place your filter in just a few seconds. With a square system I often have to fiddle with it a bit more because the filter is more firmly attached and then has to be pushed back with good aim. Did you forget to take the light measurement in your haste with this Kase Revolution? No problem, just click the filter off and then back again: 2 seconds of work.
Because with that simple solution of color coding you will never go wrong again. You can find the right filter at a glance, and because of the speed of the system and the already installed ring, you can place your filter in just a few seconds. With a square system I often have to fiddle with it a bit more because the filter is more firmly attached and then has to be pushed back with good aim. Did you forget to take the light measurement in your haste with this Kase Revolution? No problem, just click the filter off and then back again: 2 seconds of work.
In addition to this user-friendliness, the kit has another major advantage. The whole is extremely light and compact. The small bag containing everything you need fits easily in any camera bag, without sacrificing too much space in the often already overcrowded bag. This makes this kit fast, compact and complete. As a landscape photographer, don't I miss the gradient filters in practice? No, actually not, because there are other solutions available in the field and in post-processing. And as you can read in the review of the Kase Magnetic Circular Master Kit IV, a graduated filter on a circular system is actually not (yet) practical.
Vignetting
What about the vignetting of this filter kit? Kase seems to have taken the feedback about the shortcomings of the circular filters for wide-angle users to heart. When using a filter, there is certainly no disturbing vignetting, or at least no vignetting that cannot be easily removed in post-processing. Even at a focal length of 14mm, there are hardly any dark corners. However, vignetting does occur at 14mm when using 2 or more filters. You may wonder how often this situation occurs. I rarely use a CPL and ND filter at the same time, partly because a CPL is already a bit darker in itself, which increases the shutter speed slightly. Often this is enough for my purposes. A 10 stops + 3 or 6 stops ND together never actually happens to me, shutter speeds become extremely slow that way. If you still want to apply the above, it is sufficient to zoom in slightly to 16mm, because at this focal length you will automatically remove the vignetting from your image.
Conclusion
I myself had circular screw filters for a while, before I became too impatient for them and started working with the square filters in the Kase KW100 K9 kit. At this moment I am very much inclined to switch again to the ease of use of this circular Kase KW Revolution Kit. As far as I'm concerned, this kit lives up to its name. The enormous user-friendliness (partly due to the color coding), the speed, the compactness, the minimal weight and the absence of vignetting make this kit a winner to have in your bag!
I myself had circular screw filters for a while, before I became too impatient for them and started working with the square filters in the Kase KW100 K9 kit. At this moment I am very much inclined to switch again to the ease of use of this circular Kase KW Revolution Kit. As far as I'm concerned, this kit lives up to its name. The enormous user-friendliness (partly due to the color coding), the speed, the compactness, the minimal weight and the absence of vignetting make this kit a winner to have in your bag!
Comments (9)
Hanneke
- 05-02-2024
Bedankt voor uw reactie Heb ik nog een vraagje Hoe gebruik je die ring die in het schroefdraad komt. Jammer dat er geen Nederlandse beschrijving bij zit. En je zou het met een plastic dingetje moeten doen,maar die zit er niet bij.
Kase Filters Benelux
- 05-02-2024
dag Hanneke, Bedankt voor je bericht. Volgens mij kun je prima met deze set aan de slag, als landschapsfotograaf, dat is ook waar ze in hoofdzaak voor zijn gemaakt. Het grote voordeel van deze set is dat je niet met een grote filterhouder op je lens hoeft te werken, maar dat je heel eenvoudig een adapter ring op je lens schroeft en hier je filter magnetisch opklikt. De ideale set dus voor iemand die alles lekker compact wil houden, maar toch voor de kwaliteit gaat. Kase is ook al bezig om grijsverloop filters te maken voor de Revolution serie, dus dat zou dan voor jou een prima oplossing kunnen zijn, als je met grijsverloop wil gaan werken. Het kan handig zijn om eerst een workshop te doen, om dan te bepalen, wat je precies nodig hebt, om jou beoogde foto's te gaan maken.
Hanneke
- 04-02-2024
Hallo Ik heb deze set ook aangeschaft,maar zit enorm te twijfelen of deze wel geschikt voor mij zijn. Ik ben maar een hobbyist, en doe meestal macro en dieren. Maar landschapsfotografie trekt mij ook. Heb en kan ik genoeg met deze set? Ben nog van plan een workshop te doen. Lees zo veel verhalen,dat ik niet meer weet wat ik moet. En moet er een grijsverloopfilter bij? Vr gr Hanneke
Thom Brouwer
- 07-07-2023
Bedankt voor je vraag Cees. De verloopringen heb ik helaas niet getest, omdat ik de filters voornamelijk gebruik met het groothoekobjectief. Je mag er vanuit gaan dat de verloopringen niet voor extra vignettering zullen zorgen, omdat de afstand van het filter tot de lens niet verandert ten opzichte van de originele magnetische adapter-ring. Mvg Thom
Cees
- 06-07-2023
Dag Thom, duidelijk review dank daarvoor. Heb je de filters ook getest met een verloop ring? Ik heb meerdere objectieven maar de grootste opening is 82mm het loont voor mij dus om deze maat aan te schaffen en op de kleinere lensopeningen een verloop ring te gebruiken! Dank alvast voor je reactie.
P. Bartelings
- 10-04-2023
De magnetische beschermkap is zo sterk magnetisch dat ik hem met goed fatsoen niet tot nauwelijks van een gemonteerd filter af kan krijgen. In eerste instantie trek ik ook het filter los. Is hier een foefje voor?
Marilyn EYMA
- 17-02-2023
Bonjour, le kit KW revolution n'existe pas en 72 mm ? Estce prévu et quand ? Merci
Jacqueline de Groot
- 26-01-2023
Leuk en interessant om te lezen, Thom. Ik ga dit systeem zeker onthouden! Groet, Jacqueline de Groot
Dag Hanneke, Kase heeft deze sets geupdate en nu zit er een 3D tool bij, zie video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ke_zOha2UoE&t=19s