Articolo in Italiano QUI
I have always been personally doubtful about magnetic filters, I always had the impression that they were not solid and safe, but when NiSi produced its version with safety system I was very happy to try them!
The main doubts I had about the magnetic system were mainly related to the safety of the magnetic attack itself; unlike the classic mechanical, in fact, a system of this kind is more prone to an accidental fall of the filter, which, in my opinion, is somewhat the weak point of these systems, net of their practicality.
One of the most interesting features of the NiSi system is precisely the safety closure that relies on a mechanical lock that prevents accidental fall of the filter.
The features of the JetMag Pro system
The system is designed to have a filter set that is lightweight to carry and quick to change. Although in landscape photography the filter change speed is not strictly necessary (it is more useful for wedding photographers or videomakers), the lightness of the kit is definitely a point in favor when you must carry equipment in the backpack in places that can only be reached on foot.
The main technical features of the system include:
- The colour coding of the different filters: each type of filter has a different colour tab so that they can be distinguished and removed from their case more quickly without having to look for them (for example, the polarizer is grey, the ND blue and so on).
- An ultra-thin mount that allows you to use the filters even on wide-angle lenses without vignetting (mounting up to a maximum of 2 on 15mm wide-angles).
- Adaptability to different lenses; the kits are sold only in two sizes adaptable via adapter rings, the 82mm kits are compatible with 82, 77, 72, 67 and 62 lenses, while those from 95 are compatible with 95 and 86mm. Currently they are only available in these sizes but can be combined with standard adapters for other sizes.
- The locking mechanism while the filters are in use that allows them to remain locked on the lens avoiding accidental drop.
- Other features of the system are the nano-coating technology, typical of all NiSi filters, which reduces reflections and improves image quality, and metal caps to protect the filters when stored in the backpack.
At the moment there are different types of filters, from the classic ones for landscape photography to the more particular Mist filters and those for videography, and probably others will be introduced in the future. You can find HERE all the filters of the category.
How do the NiSi magnetic filters work?
Unlike the classic round filters that have a thread and are individually mounted on the lens, JetMag filters work via an adapter ring. This is mounted on the lens by screwing it as a classic one, but its top part is magnetic and will therefore allow the magnetic attachment of the filters that can then be put on each other, which is not possible to do with the classic screw. In this way the filters will all be of the same size (among those currently available from 82 or 95 mm) and you need to have only adapter rings of different sizes, Making it possible to use the same kit on different lenses without having to buy different filters for each lens and greatly reducing the expense and the clutter in the backpack.
To mount them on the lens, simply attach the filter to the magnetic part of the adapter, and to lock it you need to rotate the filter until the colored tab on the filter aligns with the white line on the adapter ring. This will trigger a mechanical lock that prevents the filter from accidentally falling out.
This filter lock system is, in my opinion, one of the most interesting features of NiSi’s magnetic filters since, now, they are the only brand to have it.
Another thing that has only NiSi at the moment is the magnetic GND filter holder.
Magnetic filters for landscape photography
These features make magnetic filters extremely interesting to use, but in practice how practical are they for a landscape photographer? As NiSi Italy Ambassador I had the opportunity to test in the field the landscape kit consisting of:
- 3 ND filters, 3, 6 and 10 Stops
- True Color polarizer
- The adapter rings for all lens sizes included (I took the 82mm kit which included adapters for 82, 77, 72 and 67mm)
- 2 front caps and 1 rear to avoid scratching the filters
- 1 pouch to store them
In addition to these I was also able to try a preview of the JetMag Pro Kit 100mm Holder that includes the adapter ring for attaching the holder to the magnetic filters and the holder with a slot for inserting 1 GND filter, but I will talk about this maybe in a separate article.
In field testing I found both positive features and others that I liked less.
PROS:
The system is very practical; convenient to carry and easy to mount, certainly for those who do landscape photography in environments that are not easily accessible, such as those who make photographic hikes or who brings various equipment, having such a light and compact kit is undoubtedly a considerable advantage. Having a single kit that can be mounted on more lenses reduces even more the space used in the backpack and also allows you to optimize the purchased kit.
There are already many types of filters available that make the system usable for a variety of situations, from night photography to waterfalls to classic landscapes.
The metal caps then are a feature that I find very useful in case of a “sudden escape”; raise your hand the landscape photographer who has never had to take off on the fly when a sudden rain came? In this case, instead of detaching each filter, put them in their case and then put them in the backpack, it is enough to put the back cap and the front one and you can quickly store them stacked on each other, also in your pocket.
As already written before, the locking system is in my opinion one of the best features, because it allows to combine the practicality of the magnetic system with the safety of the mechanical one, integrating the best of the two. Unfortunately, in my opinion, it is also his only weak point now.
CONS:
The locking system as it is currently structured is the weak point in landscape photography. In fact, the first filter that we put in our case is the polarizer which works by rotating until it reaches the desired polarization point. By turning the polarizer, however, the entire locking mechanism of the filter is lost, which being put in first also affects the locking of all the others resting on it.
One solution could be to create an adapter ring that works in the opposite way to the one that exists now; instead of locking when the line on the adapter and the tab on the filter are aligned that could be the point of unlocking so that the filter attaches magnetically when it is aligned and then turning it outside locks, Thus ensuring the correct use of the polarizer and blocking of the system.
A good compromise could be to create different adapter lines so that this locking system can be purchased by landscape photographers and there are other options, like the one existing at the moment, for those who do not have these needs as perhaps video maker or other kinds of photographers who prefer a faster system and have less need for a secure locking than those who have to deal with natural environments where it is more likely that the filter can detach (or simply to those who do not use a polarizer, which is the weak point of this type of blocking).
Another small drawback (but that is probably more of a finesse) is the case that is attached to the pants through a carabiner that is placed on the bottom of the pouch, opposite to the opening zip. In this way when the carabiner is properly hooked the opening of the case results down, whereas I would honestly find the opposite makes more sense.
Conclusions
Overall I can therefore say that my opinion on the system NiSi JetMag Pro is absolutely positive, I would only review the adapter issue which makes it at the moment not too safe with regard to landscape photography (but, again, NiSi is the only filter brand that has this feature on its magnetic system, thus being an extra compared to others).
I find that the system certainly has enormous potential given the practicality of transport and assembly; maybe for now I would recommend the purchase only to those who start from scratch (certainly, given the practicality) but not to replace the old classic system completely with Holder plate for those who already own it.
To get a discount on the purchase of NiSi products enter the code Parente-discount in the cart! *
*Discount of 5% below € 250 and 10% above. Generally valid on everything except courses, events and Cinema lenses. Valid on NiSi UK and Italy sites.
Valentina Parente 