Kase Revolution Magnetic Infrared Filter 720nm review: I'm attracted!

Kase Filters is a Chinese filter company that started life in 2011 and, since then, has become known for creating premium and durable products with its toughened Wolverine range and becoming a world-leader in magnetic filter systems.

I got hold of Kase’s KW Revolution Magnetic IR720 filter, which belongs to the company’s second-generation Wolverine filter series with an enhanced design, stronger magnets, and hardy glass coatings.

To test the Kase Revolution Magnetic IR720 thoroughly, I used a Canon EOS R, which had been expertly converted to full-spectrum by Advanced Camera Services. The conversion removes the camera’s inbuilt IR-blocking filter, making its sensor much more sensitive to IR light and thus enabling 'normal' shutter speeds to be used when shooting handheld, once we've added an IR filter to block visible light.

I took test shots with the Kase Revolution Magnetic IR720 filter attached, both with the converted EOS R and my regular, unconverted EOS R5. In either case, blocking wavelengths below 720nm is most useful for black-and-white photography, but the unconverted camera requires far longer exposure times. Let’s see how it compares to other infrared filters on the market and whether it is worthy of a place in our infrared filters buying guide…

Kase Revolution Magnetic Infrared Filter 720nm: Specifications

Kase Revolution Magnetic Infrared Filter 720nm: Price

Let’s not beat around the bush: the Kase Revolution Magnetic IR720 is an expensive filter. Available in four key sizes: 67, 72, 77, and 82mm to fit larger 'pro' lenses, the smallest 67mm still comes in at a rather hefty $159 / £145. And the price only goes one way, as you move up the range, with the largest 82mm costing $199 / £182.

Its high price limits it almost exclusively to professional use, as amateur and enthusiast photographers are likely to opt for a product like the Hoya R72, which not only starts with smaller sizes from 46mm, but also has more affordable prices starting from around $52 / £42.

Taking a 77mm filter for example, the Kase Revolution Magnetic IR720 is twice the price of the same-size Hoya R72 filter. But for the extra money, you get better build quality, the convenience of a quick swappable magnetic design, and some really high-quality water and oil-resistant coatings. So for some, the extra money will be worth the investment, particularly if you’ve already bought into the Kase Wolverine system and have other filters you wish to swap between fast on the fly.

Kase Revolution Magnetic Infrared Filter 720nm: Design & Handling

The Kase KW Revolution Magnetic IR720 belongs to Kase’s second generation of Wolverine magnetic filters. In addition to stronger magnets, some of Kase’s other Revolution filters now sport an all-new color-coded design, so you can tell them apart more easily.

The Revolution filters are also generally said to be slimmer, though the IR720 is not the best example of this. The filter depth is around 6.5mm on its own, or 1cm with the magnetic adapter ring attached, and in all it protruded from the front of the lens by 7mm.

I had an older-style Kase Wolverine Anti-Laser filter to hand, so it's not a direct comparison, but this filter measured 5mm deep, or 8mm with the adapter ring attached, and only protruded from the lens by 6mm.

However, the glass in the Kase infrared filter is substantially thicker at 3mm, whereas the anti-laser glass is just 1mm thick, so it’s not an exact like-for-like comparison.

One aspect of the new design I do like is that there’s more of a gap between the adapter ring and filter, which makes it much easier to separate them. On the older Wolverine design, I sometimes found I really needed to work a fingernail between them before I could prise them apart.

The filter is available in 67, 72, 77, and 82mm sizes, though Kase does make stepping rings to make these filters compatible with smaller lenses, such as 49mm.

Kase also makes a much smaller clip-on infrared 720nm filter, which sits directly in front of the camera sensor. It is currently only available for Sony mirrorless models, and while it obviously overcomes the restrictions of different lens thread diameters, it's designed as a more permanent solution, as it doesn't enable easy swapping of different IR filter strengths when out in the field.

The magnetic filter design can be swapped and stacked with other Kase magnetic filters, even those with the previous-generation Wolverine design, and I really enjoyed being able to take the filter off quickly and swapping it out when needed. There’s arguably little need to swap out filters when shooting on a full-spectrum camera, as you’ll likely be shooting for the day with whatever filter you’ve attached. However, on a standard non-converted camera, this will be more practical as you might want to switch between NDs, IR, or other filters.

Tipping the scales at 53g with the magnetic adapter ring attached, the filter is over twice the weight of rivals like the ICE IR760, which comes in at 24g. However, the Kase Revolution IR720 does have much thicker glass, as well as the added magnetic adapter ring, so this isn’t too surprising. It feels like a more significant premium product in the hand, and we’re talking an additional 30 grams, so while I generally try to pack light, I don’t think its extra mass is going to break my back.

Kase Revolution Magnetic Infrared Filter 720nm: Performance

The coatings on the Kase IR720 gave a solid performance with class-leading oil, water, and dust resistance. The surface is hydrophobic, so water droplets can simply be shaken off and don’t leave a smudgy residue, so it’s very easy to clean.

I also wanted to test its durability, and it survived a drop onto hard concrete from 1.5m without sustaining any damage. I also dragged a sharp metal nail over the filter's surface to test its 'Wolverine' strength, and again the filter impressed – even when pressing with all my might, I couldn't inflict any damage on the filter, so it's a seriously hardy piece of kit. Perhaps it really is made from 'adamantium' after all!

The magnetic design of the filter and adapter ring works well, making it quick and easy to attach and stack filters together. This new design makes it easier to separate them when needed, though I still struggled to get hold of the filter when my lens hood was attached, so I often had to remove the hood first, slowing down proceedings. Kase also makes its own magnetic lens hoods, which may work better, though I didn't have a chance to test one out.

Despite this, its magnetic connectivity stands out as a feature that will add speed to those who need to work fast and effortlessly.

Holding the Kase IR720 filter up to the light showed very little visible light coming through, demonstrating that the IR cut filter is doing its job properly. Everything from the metal finish on the outer rings to the heavyweight 3mm-thick glass and sturdy hard case oozes quality, helping justify its premium price tag.

The Kase IR720 provided one of the best black-and-white infrared effects of any of the many IR filters I have tested, both on a standard camera and my full-spectrum Canon EOS R, though I would expect nothing less at its premium price point. A little softness was apparent with the filter in place, though every infrared filter I have tested also succumbed to this, and I think this is more down to the type of contrast and flare you get from working at infrared wavelengths, rather than a problem with the filter itself. It was on par with its rivals in terms of sharpness, so it was a bit of a moot point. It did, however, provide a better degree of contrast, with really punchy black skies and white foliage for that classic IR look.

Kase Revolution Magnetic Infrared Filter 720nm: Verdict

There’s no getting around the fact that the Kase Revolution Magnetic IR720 is expensive. But it is well-made and built from premium materials, with great coatings, glass, and image quality. For those on tight budgets looking to get into infrared photography, I would suggest this is not the filter for you; you’ll be better off with less feature-rich but more budget-friendly options. However, for working pros looking for a top-quality filter that will hold up over time and fit neatly into Kase’s magnetic system, the Revolution Magnetic IR720 is a superb choice, if you have deep enough pockets for it.

Alternatives

The Cokin Nuances Infrared 720 (89B) is a premium filter that demands a premium price. For working professionals making a living from infrared photography, this filter will deliver great results and has brilliant build quality and coatings, too.

You'll struggle to find an infrared filter as affordable as the ICE 760HB / IR760. With a starting price of $24 / £29, this is a fun IR filter to play around with that's cheap as chips, allowing you to experiment with infrared photography without breaking the bank.