This is not a review. I'm always irritated by those who unbox in the morning and have a YouTube review out by the evening. I think you have to spend time with equipment, learn about it, use it in a variety of conditions and check that any perceived weaknesses are in the product rather than your own thinking or technique. Any review needs credibility, otherwise there is no point.
A review will follow at some point but for now this is a discussion of the processes involved in a substantial change. The financial cost of such a change is understandably quite considerable, however I assured myself that such a change would be wise and advantageous to my photography before spending the money....
Kase K9 Filter holder with 82mm geared adapter ring.
Inertia and familiarity are powerful forces that act against all change. When one adds in the substantial investment we make in photographic equipment, changing brands is not something I undertake lightly. I’ve used the same brand of camera, Nikon, for the last 40 years. The same brand of tripod and the same square filter system for the last 10.
I’ve long believed that it is impossible to stand still in any facet of life or commerce. You either move forward or you go backwards. In that light, while I’ve been predominantly pleased with the performance of my previous filter system, I’ve watched enviously as other brands, most notably Kase, have moved forward. From being the new kids on the block not too long ago, they have, in my view, become the standard by which others need to be judged. The rate of development has been rapid due in no small part to listening to customers and reacting quickly with improvements.
There were a number of factors that caused me to consider the change.
Kase K9 Filter Holder - front view
I’ve broken several Big and Little Stopper filters over the years and the option of owning one that didn’t explode under even light impact was very appealing. I have seen Kase Filters dropped onto a hard floor without breaking. In reality like all glass products, even if they are toughened, they can break depending on the angle of fall however. Knowing that the glass is toughened provides me with some assurance that in the event of an unlikely accidental drop, the filter will probably be still usable.
The characteristic blue cast of the Big Stopper had never bothered me as it could easily be removed during processing. However being neutral, the Kase filters offered the option to remove an unnecessary step.
Kase K9 Filter Holder - Rear View
I’ve found the stronger neutral graduated filters are at times prone to IR leakage giving a slight magenta cast at the top of an image. Again I’ve always fixed this in processing but would prefer not to need to. In my field tests, this did not seem to happen with Kase.
Optically the Kase filters seem to be at least the equal of any others on the market. I can detect no degradation in sharpness compared with using no filter. I don’t have a way to quantify that numerically but it is my opinion.
All those of us who enjoy the challenge and opportunities presented by making photographs in wet weather will have spent time trying to dry filters. The Kase filters have a hydrophobic coating. This has a number of consequences. The water beads into smaller droplets and runs off much more quickly. Secondly a quick wipe seems to clear any remaining droplets with no sign of a smear.
Straightforward screw attachment
Those photographers who use resin filters will know how difficult they can be to clean and how easily scratched they are. The Kase filters seem to be much easier to clean and to keep their pristine finish much longer without marking. I’ve yet to give them the ultimate test of surviving the cleaning of wind borne salt spray but I feel quietly confident.
Finally I liked the screw driven attachment of the holder to the adapter ring. I feel this is a basic but foolproof method and in my view is preferable to those that include any form of spring loading.
Clever knurled wheel to adjust polariser
There will no doubt be some pluses and minuses overall but with an improved optical performance, easier cleaning and better longevity, I already feel the move will be worthwhile.
I’ll add at this point one further positive and that is the quality of Kase customer support. Their engagement has been outstanding and some of their greatest advances seem to have come out of listening to their customers. There are businesses out there with their heads down and hoods up confidently sticking to their course. There are others like Kase who are looking ahead, checking around them and responding to changing circumstances. As consumers we are the beneficiaries of such an approach.
Kase K9 Filter holder and 100 x150mm ND Graduated filter
Well designed filter case with velcro flap to prevent it swinging around when attached to tripod.
I should conclude by pointing out that I have now been designated as a Kase Pro Partner and subsequently have a relationship with the company. I should stress that this designation resulted from the decision to buy their filters; it did not precede it or influence it.