I’ve at all times used UV filters as one of many finest safety filters for lenses, because it’s less expensive to exchange a scuffed, scratched, or dented filter than a premium little bit of glass. Accidents occur, and I depend on a UV filter to offer my optics a layer of safety. Not like simply utilizing a transparent filter, I additionally like that they block ultraviolet gentle waves and scale back haziness in photos.
UV filters differ in value, relying on their optical high quality and coatings. However most share an analogous round design which both screws onto the lens ring or attaches by way of a magnetic system. Kenko‘s Pro1D+ UV filter does the latter and is a part of the corporate’s Pro1D+ On the spot motion filter vary (which features a round polarizer, variable impartial density filter plus polarizer combo, and even close-up filters). The magnet-attaching system means you may swap the filters nearly immediately, which may be significantly vital to panorama photographers working in altering gentle.
I’ve considerably decreased the variety of lenses I exploit over the previous few years, and my every day workhorse is now the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM. On condition that this lens is costlier than my digicam, I questioned whether or not it was time to improve my respectable however barely primary Urth UV filter. I wished to see whether or not spending extra on a UV filter might enhance the picture high quality and whether or not Kenko’s “On the spot Motion” magnetic filter system would permit me to modify between filters extra simply in actuality. Here is what I fabricated from the Kenko PRO1D+ On the spot Motion UV Set (in 82mm on my Canon lens).
(Picture credit score: Lauren Scott)
Kenko Pro1D+ UV filter: Specification
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Filter kind
Ultraviolet UV / Protector
Coating
Anti-stain, water repellent, anti-reflection
Out there sizes (mm)
49, 52, 55, 58, 62, 67, 72, 77, 82
Body materials
Aluminum
Kenko Pro1D+ UV filter: Worth
The Kenko Pro1D+ UV filter is offered in 9 totally different diameters between 49 mm and 82 mm, with the smaller sizes being cheaper. Urth gives UV filters as much as 95mm, as does Canon with its clear safety filters (though these are costly) so it is a disgrace that Kenko hasn’t made its Pro1D+ UV filter accessible for the very widest lenses.
I could not discover the filters on sale with out the adapter, which is barely annoying as I’ve a number of Pro1D+ filter units and due to this fact have a number of magnetic filter adapters I do not want, as I solely mount one after the other. Unusually although, you should purchase the adapter ring by itself (from £16 right here within the UK) – maybe in case you lose or injury it.
The worth of the Pro1D+ UV is about common so far as UV filters go, they usually’re a tough product class to guage worth in as they’re so nebulous. However I do know this; Kenko’s magnetic filter vary does not signify a primary, low cost choice, however you are not stretching to a premium piece of glass right here both. It prices just below double my present screw-on Urth UV filter, and given the magnetic design and inclusion of the adapter within the field, this feels affordable.
(Picture credit score: Lauren Scott)
Kenko Pro1D+ UV filter: Design & Dealing with
Like different Kenko Pro1D+ merchandise, the UV filter comes packaged in a vivid cardboard field – this time turquoise – and inside, the round filter is protected by a spherical, plastic container. You additionally get a sealed “On the spot Motion adapter” of the identical thread dimension which will get screwed onto the lens first and may then be used with any filter within the Pro1D+ vary.
I screwed the adapter ring onto my Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM lens in just a few seconds, after which merely plopped the UV filter on prime the place it attracted neatly onto the entrance. To this point, so good, relating to the “On the spot Motion” Identify. I’ve additionally examined the Kenko Pro1D+ CPL filter, and I used to be completely happy to seek out that the UV filter is machined to suit rather more carefully inside the adapter than Kenko’s magnetic polarizer, that means it does not rattle round in any respect throughout use. I used to be assured that it wasn’t going to fall off or transfer throughout capturing at any angle.
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Kenko says you should use the filter with a lens cap…(Picture credit score: Lauren Scott)
…however for me doing so brought about small scratches(Picture credit score: Lauren Scott)
That is the place my reward for the design ends, nonetheless. Kenko states that you need to have the ability to connect “frequent” lens caps to the UV filter in order that you do not have to take it off each time your digicam goes in your bag. In concept, you may add a lens cap (see above) however I discovered that doing this might trigger the entire filter to slip off the magnetic adapter ring in my bag, leaving my lens fully uncovered and unprotected. Throughout testing, I additionally observed that small marks had appeared on the within ring of the filter, which had been attributable to friction from my lens cap. It is a regular Canon product, so it feels unlucky this occurred, and one thing that almost all customers will expertise.
I additionally wish to moan concerning the low cost plastic case that Kenko offers you to guard the Pro1D+ filters. Regardless of having nothing heavy to press on it in my digicam bag, I observed a big crack throughout the case after just a few days of use. And since the froth padding inside is flimsy and skinny, the filter rattled round inside it too. I might have most well-liked thicker padding, and a tighter container dimension to keep away from it transferring round.
The plastic filter tin feels brittle, and mine cracked shortly (Picture credit score: Lauren Scott)
Kenko Pro1D+ UV filter: Efficiency
On condition that, in lots of instances, a UV filter is designed to be left on and forgotten about, I am happy to report that I observed no total discount in picture high quality, no lack of sharpness, and no intentional flares or aberrations when utilizing the Kenko Pro1D+ UV filter.
Usually talking, it is laborious to inform the distinction in picture high quality when utilizing a UV filter (though you may in all probability have the ability to in case you’re utilizing a really low cost one). I couldn’t discover any main adjustments to sharpness with and with out the filter.
The Kenko Pro1D+ UV filter has no discernible impact on picture high quality or colour steadiness (Picture credit score: Lauren Scott)
I observed a very refined distinction in readability when capturing a hazy blue sky (Picture credit score: Lauren Scott)
There’s additionally a refined enhance in distinction inside this blue sky when utilizing the UV filter, however you may barely inform (Picture credit score: Lauren Scott)
I used the filter for a number of weeks and captured loads of check pictures in vivid sunshine. If I’d been capturing in a really hazy atmosphere I’d have seen some improved readability. However in actuality, the photographs look equivalent to my eye.
That’s not essentially a foul factor. In spite of everything, most photographers will use a UV filter as a protecting barrier between the atmosphere and your lens. Particularly in dusty, sandy, or windy spots. So if the filter has no discernible impact on picture high quality, a lot the higher.
(Picture credit score: Lauren Scott)
As for the filter’s water-repellent coating, I examined this with drops of water and was disenchanted to see that they’d left smeary marks on the lens, moderately than working off fully clear. I don’t know the way the anti-stain coating works, however I am not satisfied it would be efficient in heavy rain.
Aside from that minor ache level, I discovered the Pro1D+ UV filter straightforward to make use of on a panorama shoot after I wished to maintain switching up my filters or including a polarizer. However after I know I’ll maintain a UV filter on for lengthy intervals (and don’t need it to slide off in my bag) I’ll in all probability keep on with my reliable screw-in Urth UV filter.
Kenko Pro1D+ UV filter: Verdict
Optically, the Kenko Pro1D+ UV filter is a superb little bit of glass that retains your picture sharpness and colour steadiness fully pristine. Nonetheless, I discovered its design to be considerably much less dependable than screw-in UV filters, because it saved coming off the magnetic adapter in my digicam bag when my lens cap was connected.
It is a disgrace that the idea is not fairly there but, as a result of it’s extremely fast and simple to make use of Kenko’s magnetic system and stack different filters within the Pro1D+ vary collectively to tweak your panorama images within the discipline. If you’d like an inexpensive means into a spread of filters and plan to make use of the entire Pro1D+ lineup, swapping them in or out frequently, then Kenko’s On the spot Motion filters are a great way to go. When you’re simply searching for a UV filter to guard, and crucially keep in your lens, I believe there are much less irritating choices on the market.
(Picture credit score: Lauren Scott)
✅ Purchase this if…
You might have different Pro1D+ filters or plan to purchase into the On the spot Motion vary.
You need to have the ability to take your UV filter on and off immediately.
🚫 Do not buy this if…
You want a price range choice and do not do a lot outside images.
You are searching for a UV filter to screw onto a lens and overlook about.
