Beginning last year, right before my trip to Norway, I have received brand new circular magnetic graduated ND filters from VFFOTO. I have been using graduated filters for a couple of years now, and always preferred the rectangular version. I even claimed that the circular version of graduated ND filters are unusable. I have been skeptical about the new product from VFFOTO.
Gimsøya , Lofoten archipelago 2020
VFFOTO magnetic graduated ND filter 0,9 2/3
(post production edit)
The test of 2 VFFOTO graduated ND filters
I have received 2 graduated ND filters from VFFOTO with intensity of 0,9 and softer transition. The first was VFFOTO magnetic graduated ND 0,9 1/3 with the transition at 1/3. The second was VFFOTO magnetic graduated ND 0,9 2/3 with transition at 2/3.
Skeptical approach to circular graduated filters
I have always held the view, which I shared during photography workshops and courses, that the circular graduated filters are unusable.
My preference was always rectangular graduated filters which I could not recommend more. And the reason was simple – as photographer you have at your disposal various intensities of darkening (from ND 0,3 all the way to ND 1,2). It is also possible to choose from various kinds of transitions (from softer, to harder, to reverse transition). Each of these filters you position the way you prefer, getting the exact intensity of darkening. Big plus is this whole system is applicable to any lens diameter (with the appropriate step up ring), which can be convenient for one.
Disadvantage of rectangular graduated filters is photography in adverse conditions. It is almost impossible to use these during the rain or snow. There are very few ways to protect them from these conditions and due to their fairly large size they attract drops of water, not even the greatest nanolayers don´t help. Another handicap is handling of the whole apparatus of a considerable size.
How the circular graduated filters got me?
I have been taking photos in some extreme weather lately, such as raining and snowing. These are the instances where I had to forget using my graduated filter. I had to depend on taking more photos and post production composition. It is a solution, but I would much rather have one complete photo on my camera SD card.
When I was in Gimsoya, Norway, on a wild coast by the local church, there was a heavy rain coming. First drops of rain, along with some ice, started to fall, when suddenly some light appeared behind the church. A perfect moment, but also a difficult situation for using a rectangular graduated filter, because of all the water. I tried it nonetheless, and it turned out just as I expected. Filter was full of water after short while and when I tried to clean it and shoot right after, the image was unusable due to the water drops. After 2 or 3 tries I decided to take the whole apparatus off and mount the magnetic graduated ND filter 0,9 2/3. Thanks to the perfect control of the light and considerably smaller size of the filter I was able to take the perfect shot on the first try.
It was at this moment when my skepticism began to disappear.
Central Bohemian Highlands with magnetic filters
During my spring trip to Bohemian Highlands I started to use magnetic filters in situations when there was no extreme weather and I would have plenty of time to pull out the rectangular graduated filters.
It was about my comfort and convenience. Attaching magnetic graduated filter is a matter of seconds and I can even have the lens hood on!
I was surprised how little I was limited by the hard set transition on the filter when looking for a composition. Understandably, one has to make a compromise once in a while, but a compromise so insignificant that it has almost no effect on the composition.
#compare_45#
VFFOTO magnetic graduated ND filter 0,9 2/3
Shooting Iceland waterfalls
Taking photos of a waterfall is in landscape photography a chapter on its own, where a similar problem rises when using rectangular graduated filters in rain and snow.
Water is ever present in the air when in proximity of waterfalls and cascades. I had the chance to shoot plenty when I was in Iceland last July, where I relied mostly on magnetic graduated filters after my experiences from Bohemia and Norway. Reasons were at hand!
I could have my lens hood on, handle quickly and did not have to protect and clean large size of the rectangular graduated filter. This have made the chance of a quality picture without water drops significantly higher.
I had only 0,9 ND filters which was a pity. Sometimes I needed a softer 0,6 ND version or more intense 1,2 ND filters, but those were not available at the time. Where it was possible I used the rectangular filters. At other times, I had to rely on multiple compositions with magnetic filters due to the water drops.
#compare_47#
VFFOTO magnetic graduated ND filter 0,9 1/3
Advantages of magnetic graduated filters
• Possibility of protecting the filter with lens hood against water drops or backlight and thus being able to shoot in more extreme conditions
• Unlike the rectangular graduated filter, smaller size of the filter lowers chances of water drops on the lens
• Easy and simple handling thanks to the magnetic system
• Low weight and easy storing solution, no need for additional filter holder and step up ring of a rectangular graduated filter
Disadvantages of magnetic graduated filters
• Transition is hard set. Sometimes it is necessary to compromise a little when setting the composition. However, after a couple of months of using these filters I was able to get used to it and there were less and less compromises
• Using 2 magnetic filters (e.g. graduated ND and polarizing) mounted on an adapter (or magnetic UV filter) causes at focus of 16 mm (Canon EOS 5DS R; Canon 16-35/4L IS USM) strong vignetting, which starts to be tolerable at 20 mm. When using only one filter a focus of 16 mm is usable, since the vignetting is removable.
Daniel Rericha
landscape photographer
www.danielrericha.cz
