I like photo gear as much as any photographer, but what I really love is gear that makes my work as a photographer easier or more fun (or both!). Well, I’m only slightly embarrassed to admit that I’ve become a bit of a “fanboy” for Xume Adapters. These clever magnetic adapters enable you to effortlessly attach a filter to a lens, and then remove that filter just as easily.
If you’ve ever attached a filter to a lens, you know how frustrating it can be. You know what I’m talking about:
“Why do those threads need to be so small?!”
“Why won’t the filter go on?!”
“How am I ever going to get this @&$%*#$ filter off?!?!?!”
Well, all of those frustrations magically (well, magnetically) disappear with Xume adapters. You attach a lens adapter to your lens, then attach a filter holder to a filter. Both of those parts have a magnetic ring, so attaching a filter is as easy as placing the filter against the lens. There’s even a magnetic lens cap available for 77mm lenses!
It is worth noting that because the Xume Adapters place the filter further away from the lens than would normally be the case, there is a risk of some vignetting caused by the assembly with wide-angle lenses at an effective focal length of less than about 24mm. But for any longer focal length, I consider Xume Adapters absolutely indispensable. I predict you’ll agree 100% if you test these adapters just once.
Here are some links to Xume Adapters in the 77mm size:
Set of 2 Filter Holders (77mm): http://amzn.to/2va5QG3
Lens Adapter (77mm): http://amzn.to/2vceli3
You can also see the Manfrotto Xume Adapters in action in an episode of Tim Grey TV here: