By Erick Vlientinck

From time to time, polarizing, neutral density (ND), or other filters all need to be screwed onto a lens barrel. One common trait of the screw threads on lenses is that they are a pain to work with, making it difficult to avoid cross-threads. Additionally, ND and polarizing filters pose their own positioning problems.

All these troubles may be solved by the Xume Quick-Release Adapters and exchange system (http://xumeadapters1.gostorego.com). Xume’s brilliant idea is based on magnetic lens adapter rings and filter holders. The Xume system requires the user to only go through the threading nightmare once for every filter. When the lens adapter ring is in place, each filter can be attached by simply placing it onto the lens adapter ring. This way, Xume also solves the problem with ND or polarizing filters, as you can rotate filters easily without loosening them.

I tested with a 24–105mm and a 16–70mm lens (77mm thread, currently the only one available). The magnetic force was strong enough to keep my filters firmly attached to the lens adapter ring, even when I accidentally bumped the camera into a pile of user guides on my table. The only disadvantage I found to the Xume system was that it will create vignetting with wide-angle lenses below 24mm. You also need to mount your lens cap on a filter or a filter holder, as the lens adapters are slightly larger than conventional holders.

A single filter holder costs $11.95 and a lens adapter ring costs US$32.95. A Starter Kit with one lens adapter and two filter holders is available for $53.95, and a Pro Kit with two lens adapter rings and four filter holders is available for $104.95.

Rating: 9 out of 10

(This review is brought to you courtesy of "Layers Magazine": http://layersmagazine.com/ .)