As a landscape photographer it is essenstial to use filters as it deals with light conditions for better results in camera and it will decrease time in your post-processing workflow .

Nowadays the range of Filter Systems are vast in the market and prices vary form one brand to another and its difficult to choose which brand suits your demand. You might have heard of Benro from their good quality tripods.

I have been using the Benro Filter System for almost three years now and I’m very impressed with the high optical quality results of the Master Series filters and their true to life colour balance. With the quality wide rage of graduated and natural denisty filters that they produce, one can tackle the common issues that landscape photographers encounters as recovering highlights and retaining details from an image with no colour cast casting . The wide range of filters starts form 75x75 ,100x100 & 150x150.

I currently use the 100x100 with the FH100M2 Filter Holder that accepts filter frames as I believe that it secures better from light leakage. The idea behind the filter frames is that the holder allows you to adjust the graduated filter with the rear red knob.

THE FH100M2 FILTER HOLDER

The filter holder is made from high quality, precision-milled aluminium and machined polycarbonate compounds which is designed to take up to 3 Graduated filters with filter frames and an ultra thin CPL 82mm (Circular Polariser Filter) stacked all together.

The holder features a unique gear adjustment knob which can be positioned to line up with all three slots allowing easy and precise adjustment for graduated filters and a rotating CPL ring built into the middle of the holder which allows for the use of use of ultra thin CPL filter. This can be easily rotated from the back of your camera.

FILTER FRAMES

I believe that the filter frames is what truly sets the Benro system from the other filter holders on the market .

These frames are made to securely hold glass filters in the holder allowing for adjustments of graduated filters with the rear knob. These plastic frames can be purchased in two sizes 150mm X 100mm (graduated filters) and 100mm X 100mm (neutral density filters).

The benefit of the filter frame is that now you no longer need to touch the glass once you put in the frame, so you're now preventing finger prints and dirt all over the glass and offer more protection to the filter itself.

THE BENRO MASTER SERIES GLASS FILTERS

The Benro Master Series Glass Filters are made form high quality German Schott Glass which offers superior performance for light transmission. The filters are coated with 100% natural anti-glare coating to reduce reflections and prevent any colour shift. Furthermore , they implemented a special WMC (waterproofing multi-layered coating) and anti-scratch protection. This helps to keep the filters clean when water beadds build up on the surface of the filter.

The Master Series filters are tested by hand before it leaves the factory to ensure that the optical qualities are up to standard, hence being called Master Series Filter.

GRADUATED FILTERS & SOLD ND FILTERS

The range of filter sizes vary but the ones that I use are the 150X100 Graduated Filters and 100X100 ND Filters System.

The 150X100mm Graduated Filters are available in three types of graduations : Hard, Soft & Reverse and are also available in different strengths (Reverse Grads come in 2 & 3 Stops - Hard Grads come in 2, 3 & 4 Stops - Soft Grads come in 2, 3 & 4 Stops)

I have been using Benro Filters for about three years and have always found them essential. I can’t recall now when I didn’t use a graduated filter since I had tried the Benro Filters. It is now part of my photography process as the filters allow the smooth transitions for a beautiful compensated exposure of bright skies and complex horizons.

I truly believe that my favourite two filters are the Soft Graduated 4 Stop & the Reverse Graduated 3 Stop as they are perfect for any situation, while shooting a Sunrise or Sunset as they allow a natural exposure.

On the other hand the ND filters are available in 4, 6,10 & 15 Stop and they offer some of the best natural colour balance I ever saw.

The Colours gained when using the filters are true to life when taking a long exposure, this is thanks to the Anti-IR coating the glass reflections & colour cast.

THE ULTRA-THIN CPL 82MM

Designed for the Benro FH100M2 holder, this special CPL filter is designed to screw into the rotating ring of the holder.

The CPL filter is essential for landscape and seascape photography as its a polarising filter and will give a slight warming effect, while removing strong reflections and this CPL holds excellent results in doing that as it helps to bring the dull landscapes alive with colour.


THE TRUE NIGHT FILTER

I can now say that a filter that removes light pollution has a great potential to become an essential tool in a night photographer’s backpack as it definitely eliminates an essential problem.

The True Night filter by Benro is dedicated solely to night photography. The filter is available in 100x100mm.

The Benro 100 x 100mm Master Series TrueNight Filter will improve the results of night time images by absorbing the yellow light from sodium-vapor lamps, mercury-vapor lamps, or low Color Rendering Index LEDs, common light sources within urban areas.

The visibility of astronomical objects are enhanced, and where they appear artificial light sources are more clearly defined with less glare and improved contrast. Benro filters are famous for the high quality, made constructed from Schott Glass for increased optical clarity and sharpness as well as colour rendition .

To prevent internal ghosting and reflections, each glass surface includes multiple layers of anti-reflection coating. These coatings also offer greater protection to the filter substrate and help it to stay clean for longer than with uncoated filters.

The nano coating associated with Benro Master Series filters provides an additional 13th layer over each side of this filter, resulting in an improved beading effect when in contact with water, for greater cleaning efficiency.

BENRO FILTER BAG

Benro also designed a durable filter bag for The FH100 MK2 Holder.

This bag fits the holder itself along 3 ND Filters, 5 Graduated Filters & CPL. Its designed to protect your glass filters from natural elements while shooting or travelling.

Benro Master Filter Holder Bag has hard internal board which protects holder and filter, has shallow pouch for round and drop-in filters and is also water repellent with fully sealed dust proof zipper and mesh outside pockets. These unique qualities achieves the perfect bag for your filters.

FINAL TOUGHTS

I feel that the Benro Master Series and the filter holder FH100 M2 stands to the competition on the market today.

The optical quality and the design of the filter holder makes it more unique. I feel that the filter frames made the whole system stand out. The ability to adjust the graduated filters with the rear knob is a unique feature that I have never encountered before.

The price itself of the system is extremely competitive to the other leading brands which do not offer the same features or ability in optical performance, as Benro is keen to produce clarity filters for excellent results.