We’re all familiar with common filters – you spin them onto the front of your lens. These are great for most uses, but what if you want to use gradient filters? What if your lens doesn’t have filter threads, such as the Laowa 12mm or 10-18mm?
H&Y has been working closely with Laowa to develop not only ingenious filter holder systems but also leveraging Laowa’s optical glass to develop distortion-free and sharp filters that don’t affect your colours.
Let’s start with the filter holders. Laowa offers a Universal Fit Magnetic filter holder as well as special ones for the 10-18mm and a few other lenses that don’t have filter threads. The universal fit is meant for lenses that have front filter threads – 67, 72, 77 & 82mm adapter rings are included. The special filter holders are meant for lenses such as the 12mm that don’t have filter threads. It clamps around the lens hood.
Made from aircraft grade aluminium, these robust holders mount securely to the front of your lens. With the Universal Holder, you mount the adapter ring and then the holder. It’s secured with two knobs – you don’t need to over-tighten them (more on that shortly). The special holders fit over the lens hood and are secured with a knob that tightens a nylon compression ring to your lens – it won’t damage your lens.
The holders will accept a 96mm drop-in filter – whether it’s Neutral Density or a Circular Polarizer. But that’s not the twist. H&Y filters come with a magnetic frame that simply pops onto the front of the holder! This allows you to compose and focus first and, if you’re using a zoom lens, attach your filter without affecting the Circular Polarizer or messing up your zoom. This is a brilliant system that is simple and effective.
ND1000 filter
Where rectangular filters shine, and round filters can’t easily match, are twofold: your ability to rotate the filter holder and slide the grad transition. You can easily slide the Grad filter to get the transition where you want it – the filter doesn’t have to go in the centre. Then, you can rotate the holder so your graduated transition can be exactly where you want it. You can even stack these magnetic filters for further control.
The filter frames are ridged for safer handling. Those ridges also double as a scale for the Graduated filters, so you can make note of your filter position to repeat the image later. If you have some of your own 2mm thick 100x100mm or 100x150mm filters, you can buy the H&Y Magnetic frames.
There is also a small lock knob to secure your filter if you’re worried about it moving.
Photographers who prefer to create their images optically, instead of doing everything in post, swear by their square and rectangular filters. These H&Y filters and holders are an innovative step forward that will make it even easier for you to create special images, such as the lead image from Mirko Boni.
©Mirko Boni
>>See the full line at hyfilters.ca!
About the Author – Will Prentice (www.capturaphoto.ca) is a professional photographer based out of Whitby, Ontario and Brand Specialist – Lighting for Amplis.
