42 7 March 2020 I http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk I subscribe 0330 333 1113
Testbench
Other filters
The Landscape Kit is a great starting point for photographers who plan to
buy into the Summit system. For those who’d like to expand their kit, there’s
the choice of buying five thread plates (67mm, 72mm, 77mm, 82mm and
95mm), which cost £27 ($34.99) each. If you’d prefer different thread
plates to the 77mm and 82mm sizes that come with the landscape kit it’s
possible to customise your kit at the time of order. In addition, there are
currently four Neutral Density filters available for the system – an ND8
(3-stop), ND64 (6-stop), ND1000 (10-stop) and ND100K (15-stop)
costing £154 ($199.99) each. As well as the ND4-GR soft graduated
neutral density filter, an ND8-GR soft graduated filter is also available
for £192 ($249.99) and hard grads are expected soon. Every filter for
the system, including the circular polariser, is made from fused Quartz
glass and features 16 layers of coatings in the manufacturing process.
Aluminium frames are built around each filter for fingerprint-free installation
Two filters can be used at the same time, excluding the circular polariser
The circular polariser is attached and secured from the rear of the core
(6-stop) filter, a ND4-GR
(2-stop) soft graduated ND
filter, a circular polariser filter, a
hood and a practical carry case to
keep it all together. Unlike some
100mm filter systems that allow
you to slot your existing filters into
a 100x100mm or 100x150mm
filter frame, the Summit system is
different. The core will only accept
Summit filters that feature its own
integrated filter frame. While this
might put off some who’ve built up
a large selection of glass or resin
slot-in filters, it won’t bother those
making a fresh start or are looking
to buy a filter system for the first
time. The metal frames that
surround the ND64 and ND4-GR
filters, like the thread plates and the
core, are made from lightweight
aluminium that gives them a highly
durable and hardwearing feel
compared to plastic systems.The core itself is precision
machined and exquisitely finished
in matte black with gold locking
screws, a circular polariser release
and circular polariser wheels on
either side. With the circular
polariser installed, the wheels can
be turned from behind the camera
to vary the amount of polarisation
that’s filtered without having to
physically touch the filter. There’s a
fair amount of resistance, but thisdoes mean it’ll only move when
you want it to with no risk of it
shifting if the polariser wheels are
brushed or knocked accidentally.
The two gold locking screws that
lock filters in place aren’t captive so
it’s worth bearing in mind that they
should only be loosened a few
turns to allow the filters to slide into
their respective slots, otherwise
they could fall out and get lost. The
other lock yet to be mentioned is