Hands on with Maven Filters: A Landscape Photography Review
Maven Magnetic Filters for Landscape Photography
Filters have always been an integral part of my set up for landscape photography. I think for most of us they provide a multitude of different ways to control light and ultimately deliver a level of creative control that can’t be achieved using a camera and lens on their own.
For the last few months, I have been using Maven’s magnetic filters system, more specifically their Linear polariser and ‘Dark CPL’ kit that they very kindly sent me. I wanted to see how using their magnetic circular filter system would benefit my workflow and also test their ‘ease of use’. Most importantly, I wanted to see how these filters ‘stacked up’ (no pun intended) from an image quality point of view. Using a high quality filter system for my own work and also when instructing workshop participants is pretty imperative.
MY GEAR AND FILTER SIZE CHOICE
I think at this point it is useful to discuss what kit I use and why I chose the size of filters I did. I’m a Nikon shooter, and while brand of camera doesn’t matter in the slightest, the lenses that are available to me affect my filter choice. I shoot with a Nikon Z7ii, 14-30mm f4S, 24-120mm f4S and the 100-400mm f4.6-5.6S. The choice of filter size becomes relevant when I look at the thread size of the lenses. The 24-120mm and the 100-400mm come with a pretty standard 77mm thread, but the 14-30mm measures in at 82mm. In my experience, and in order to prevent vignetting at wider angles, I always suggest you go for a filter size one larger than your maximum thread size. In this case I would need to get an 95mm filter to use on my 82mm lens. While this requires the use of step-up rings, I prefer to have a ‘one size fits all’ option rather than a filter set for each lens.
Maven very gererously sent me a package of filters to try out. Alongside the stuff I’ve listed below, I also received their 720nm IR filter, but that will be discussed in another article. So, what is in my kit?
Set of magnetic front lens caps and back caps
In addition to the polariser and dark CPL kit, I also received 77 – 95mm adapter rings and a 82 - 95mm ring to allow these filters fit my lenses.
While we are talking about filter size, let’s put the issue of vignetting to bed. Long story short, there isn’t any. Even at wide angles (and while using the step-up rings rather than the standard adapter ring I have not noticed any vignetting. The benefit of this is about as obvious as it reads; using my lenses at its widest setting (14mm) none of the corners darkened, even when stacking two filters. This is mostly down to using a filter size that is larger than my widest filter thread.
A quick note on LPL’s and CPL’s. This is the first time I have ever used a linear polariser - I had previously only ever had circular polarisers as these are what were traditionally used with DSLR’s and that contunued with the advent mirrorless systems. I’m not going to go into the science of it here but CPL’s are more versatile as they can be used on both DSLRs and Mirrorless systems. Using a LPL on a DSLR can affect the internal metering systems due to the presence of the reflecting (or part reflecting) mirror. Without a mirror, mirrorless cameras eliminate this issue. Long story short if you own a mirrorless system the LPL is fine but if you own a DSLR or have multiple systems that you want to swap your filters between, I would suggest a CPL instead. Or you could just buy a mirrorless camera of course.
ICM Photography - Maven Filters 6ND+CPL
Waterfall Photography - Maven Filters LPL
USABILITY
One very neat thing about the filters is they are colour coded. The CPL is blue, 3ND Red, 6ND Purple and the 10ND Gold. This makes it incredibly easy to see which filter to get out the pouch without taking them all out. Simple, but incredibly effective in speeding up my workflow in the field. In addition to the colour coding, the outer ring of the filters are ‘grooved’. This makes them incredibly easy to grip and handle, even with gloves on. It’s a small addition but I feel it’s a really clever addition that makes a difference to the handling.
The real joy in using Maven’s system is their ease of use. It’s literally a snap and go system. On my lenses, once the adapter rings are in place, it’s literally a question of placing the filter of choice onto the front of the lens. They snap firmly into place and sit really neatly on the adapter rings. Most of my work is carried out in environments where the robustness of my gear is put to the test. I quite often hike in the mountains or scramble along cliffs at the coast with my camera in hand or attached to my tripod. Not once have one of these filters fallen off or come close to doing so. When the filters are on my lenses I am also using the magnetic lens cap to keep the glass safe. It’s also quite easy to remove, while still remaining strong enough so it won’t easily dislodge. The caps also come in a cool array of colours!
Many of us are weight conscious these days. Especially when it comes to lugging big bags of gear over long distances. These filters, while strong, are also lightweight and don’t add much to weight to your total system. Quite a change from heavy systems of the past.
EXCELLENT IMAGE QUALITY
Using a set of filters with your landscape photography shouldn’t be a compromise. The filters should be there to complement your high quality lenses with no degradation of image quality, by not adding a colour cast and not causing a loss of sharpness from substandard glass. Basically, the filters you place in front of your lenses matter. I wouldn’t class myself as a pixel peeper but I will notice if there is something off about the quality and sharpness of an image. In all the images I have made using these filters, I can honestly say I’m not seeing a drop off in image quality as a result of the glass.
The same can be said for colour cast - I’ve not really noticed anything detrimental to the final image. Colour casts are more annoying than being a problem as they can be reasonably easily corrected in post-processing. The pleasure in using a set of neurtral filters like these is that you dont have to worry about casts. In effect cutting down on processing time and speeding up your workflow a bit.
Mountain Landscape Photography in Snowdonia - Maven Filters LPL
A QUICK NOTE ON COLOURS
Forget colour cast for a second, I’m talking about the actual colour of these filters. If none of the technical greatness of these filters was enough to convince me, then the look of them would have sold me. I grew up in an era full of popping colours and designs. The colour of Maven’s products are like something straight out the 80’s or 90’s. They really speak to my youth and inner child. It’s really cool to look down at your camera and see the front of the lens adorned with an array of beautiful colours.
THINGS I LIKED
Excellent sharpness
Negligible colour cast
Simple & effective (yet very strong) magnetic system
Lightweight and easy to use
No vignetting at wide angles
Tactile feel which makes handling easy
They come in awesome colours!!
THINGS I LIKED LESS
Can’t think of any
MY VERDICT & THE FUTURE
I like my gear to perform well. I don’t want there to be compromises in usability or image quality. Maven’s magnetic filters fit the bill. I’m really impressed. They are lightweight, strong, handle well, easy to use and most importantly don’t affect image quality. I can’t really ask for more. Through my own mistakes, I have found that investing a decent set of filters for your landscape photography is imperative, especially when it comes to image quality and colour cast. If you are looking for a reliable and high quality magnetic filter system, these are the filters you are looking for.
More than being blown away by the filters, I have been impressed by Maven as a company. Taking all of this into account, I have decided to become an affiliate with Maven. This will not only allow me to use their incredible filters in my own work, but also have filters for my workshop clients to create images with. I must say a big thanks to them for putting their faith in me and also supporting my work - really looking forward to working alongside them.
If you have any questions about this system, please feel free to get in touch.
AFFILIATE DISCLAIMER
Please note that this post contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase any of Maven’s filters or accessories through these links, I may earn a small commission. There is no additional cost to you. Purchasing products via these links helps support my work and allows me continue producing images and content such as this blog. I will only recommend products that I have fully tested, make personal use of and believe will be beneficial to you and your photography.
