Since the beginning of my photography journey, I have used some sort of filter system. Predominantly for landscape photography when elements of motion with water and clouds, filters can add an ethereal and serene element to a setting. Filters can add a creative element that’s not possible (yet) with phone and basic cameras. As a travel photographer, I keep a filter system with me as it allows me the creative versatility to experiment with long exposures and reflections.
Over time, I have tried and tested a few different filter systems. These systems all have a similar foundation, but they differ vastly in how they attach to my lens of choice. In recent years, I have invested into the Lee, Marumi and recently the Maven filter systems. Most filter systems that I have used need to be connected to the lens by an adaptor ring which is then attached to a filter holder. The exception to this rule is the innovative Maven system. In these newer filter system iterations, magnets are used in a variety of ways to hold and swap out your filter of choice.
Polyester vs Resin vs Glass
Neutral Density (ND) filters are made from several different materials such as polyester, resin and glass. It’s often said that ND filters are like sunglasses for the camera which allow for longer exposure times. Each material has different characteristics and benefits which should be considered. As a professional, one of the most important things I look for in a filter system is that the filter itself is made of glass. In my opinion this offers the best optics. However, there are benefits to the other material options as well.
Polyester filters are low cost and are a good introduction into experimenting with filters to see if they suit your creative style of photography before making more of an investment. With the low cost comes the lower image optics as the image is being developed through a filter that has less than ideal optical clarity.
Resin filters are a more durable filter material and can offer decent results and don’t degrade over time. Resin filters are not as sharp as glass options, and this becomes more apparent when shooting in high resolution. Glass filters offer the best optical clarity of any of the options. However, glass comes at more of a risk for scratching and breaking from drops or impacts. If image sharpness is your priority, I highly recommend glass filters as your top option.
Lower quality filters also have an issue with color cast in the results. Even though this can be corrected in post processing, it is something to be mindful of if you do like to get things as right in camera as possible. The best way to check for color casting is to compare an image with and without a filter. Any differences will be apparent in a side by side comparison.
Filter Comparisons
This article will dive into the differences between Maven, Marumi and the Lee filter systems. It will offer image comparisons to illustrate image quality and color cast changes. Details about filter holders and their attachment to lenses will also be covered. Lastly, size consideration of each kit for travel purposes will be detailed. At a minimum, my filter kits contain a 6 stop, 10 stop, and a Circular Polarizer Linear (CPL) filter. Occasionally I will include an Infra-Red (IR)) or a night light pollution filter for astrophotography or late night cityscapes. Since using the CPL filter requires adjustment to be effective in removing reflections, it would be difficult to accurately compare three different CPL filters.- Therefore, in this article I have focused on the comparison between the 6 and 10 stop options of each system.
Comparisons were conducted on a Sony A7RV with 24-70 GM II lens on a tripod. Settings were set for a maximum shutter speed of 15 seconds when testing the 10 stop filters. Camera settings of aperture, ISO and AWB (Auto white balance) were all kept the same for the test.
The flexibility of any filter system allows the photographer more creative possibilities. One thing in common with all the filter systems tested is that they all can be stacked together to have multiple effects or even longer exposures when two ND filters are added together. A combination of a 6 stop filter in combination with a gradual filter (to adjust for a bright sky) and a CPL can be added to cut reflections of glass on water and glass.
Maven Filter System
I first heard about the Maven filter system while traveling last year,through their Kickstarter campaign. The company offers a different approach by making each of the circular filters in the set magnetic. This enables them to be stacked together. The filters are magnetically connected to the adaptor ring which is screwed onto the lens. This is by far, the most compact system with the easiest method of lens attachment. With a bit of dexterity, the ring and filters can be set up one-handed.
The Maven filters come in different thread size sets to accommodate for different lens sizes. I ordered a set with an 82mm filter thread to suit my main lens choices. The filter set also comes with a convenient plastic case. The case has 5 slots and each slot has a divider to keep the filter magnets from sticking together. Compared to other systems which I have carried, , the Maven system is by far the most compact system where I can easily identify the filters I’m carrying. The ring holder is slim enough to keep in the plastic case, for which I have replaced the splash guard for the holder ring so that I have everything I need that I can also fit in my pocket.
Each filter has a different color ring with notches to identify the number of stops. They are also clearly labeled on the aluminum ring. This is great when you are rushing to setup in changing light and need gear that is easy to identify and handle. Another major benefit over the other systems is that the Maven filters are form fitting and can be left on the lens when you may need to quickly pack up your gear and shift to a different location/composition. There is an additional magnetic lens cover that comes with the set to protect the filter, it’s also possible to use a lens hood with the Maven system.
The Maven filters provide the best image quality I have encountered due to the Japanese AGC Optical Glass. The image maintains better details across the dynamic range and colors remain true.
Marumi Square Magnetic System
The Marumi square magnetic system ticked a lot of the boxes that I was looking for in a filter system and seemed like a progressive improvement over the square drop in system that I had been using. The Marumi filters are made from scratch resistant Schott certified German Quality Glass, B270i. The system is made up of a filter holder ring (ring sizes vary to the size of the lens that you need to attach it to), a filter holder that has a slot to drop in a CPL and magnetically attached square ND filters. Even though the magnetic system for attaching the filter to the holder is quick and firm, the filter definitely requires two hands to attach the holder to the lens. Of the three systems, I have struggled the most with this one when setting up in the field.. At times the filter ring would stick to my lens. Similar to the Lee system, The Marumi filter holder is cumbersome when I want to quickly pack up my gear and move to a different location. The holder, while on the camera, does not fit back in my camera bag and has to be disassembled. The adapter ring while attached to the holder has been difficult to align to the thread. The slot for the CPL in the holder, while a sleek design feature, makes it difficult to pop out the CPL once it is in the holder.
Image brightness for the Marumi is comparable to the Lee filter, but with sharper details in image quality. There is a slightly cooler, blue color shift in the water and white elements of the image.
Lee 100 Square Filter
The Lee 100 square Filter “Little” stopper (6 stops) and the “Big” stopper (10 stops) had been mainstays in my camera kit for many years. The 100 square filter holder system is versatile with the ability to drop in and stack multiple filters for more creative effect. The ability to use both square and rectangular drop in filters is a feature, but the form factor is larger than the other systems I have used. The filter holder is attached to the lens via an adapter ring which can be swapped out for another ring depending on the thread size of the lens (in most cases I use an 82mm ring). The filter holder can accommodate 2 filters for stacking, and with rectangular grad filters, it’s easy to adjust the position of the gradient to the precise horizontal part of the composition.. From what I have been able to determine , the Lee filters are made of resin.
The Lee filter image output is darker than the other 10 stops tested and has a slight green tint. Image details are not as sharp as the Marumi and Maven filters. The Lee filters have a foam gasket on the back that is meant to seal the filter to the filter holder to prevent light leaks. However this only works if the seal is flush with the holder.
Conclusion
Of the filters I have personally purchased, the Maven system is by far the easiest to use. The Maven glass is as good as any high quality glass filter, if not better than other filters I have used. The image quality is outstanding. Across the different stops in the Maven set, I have found that colors have remained true and consistent.
