RX100 M6 Lensmate vs Magfilter?

Hello, newbie to the forums here.

About 2 months ago my six year old Olympus OM-D EM-5 died. After much research I purchased the Sony RX100 M6 as a replacement because I wanted something smaller and lighter.

I just returned from an 8-day hiking trip in the Wind River Range. So far I love the camera, but as expected I was sorely missing a polarizing filter. I knew there were third party add-ons but didn't have time to purchase one before the trip.

It seems the choices are Lensmate or Magfilter. I have read that Magfilters can fall off if bumped, or that that these cameras are not designed for repeated torque applied by screwing filters on and off with Lensmate.

Any thoughts on these two options or any others that I am unaware of?

(BTW, Lensmate told me they are coming out with an M6 specific model next month).

Thanks!

WalksWithCamera said:

Hello, newbie to the forums here.

About 2 months ago my six year old Olympus OM-D EM-5 died. After much research I purchased the Sony RX100 M6 as a replacement because I wanted something smaller and lighter.

I just returned from an 8-day hiking trip in the Wind River Range. So far I love the camera, but as expected I was sorely missing a polarizing filter. I knew there were third party add-ons but didn't have time to purchase one before the trip.

It seems the choices are Lensmate or Magfilter. I have read that Magfilters can fall off if bumped, or that that these cameras are not designed for repeated torque applied by screwing filters on and off with Lensmate.

Any thoughts on these two options or any others that I am unaware of?

(BTW, Lensmate told me they are coming out with an M6 specific model next month).

Thanks!

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I use the lensmate system on my RX100 V. The simple bayonet mount requires very little torque be applied to the lens during mounting/dismounting. It's very smooth, but has a definite detent in the lock position. It has always functioned flawlessly for me. I've also used the same system on previous cameras I've owned with good results on them as well.

You aren't actually screwing the filter onto the lens while mounting. You screw the filter onto the bayonet mount ring, then attach them to the camera lens mounted ring via the bayonet process. To really make use of the system, you need to buy a bayonet mount ring for each filter you plan to use. They not too costly for the limited number of filters you are likely to need. The downside is that each filter is not really usable on another lens without unscrewing the filter from the mounting ring. Because they are plastic, a lot of screwing them off and on is not something I would recommend. It can be a finicky process. This whole process is the same for the Magfilter system. The only difference is that the Magfilter ring is metal instead of plastic. And of course, it sticks to the lens ring via magnetic force instead of the bayonet.

Thanks for that info.

Since screwing filters on and off can be time consuming in any case, then the bayonet mount per filter requirement seems OK to me. The only two filters I'm likely to have are a CPL and a Variable ND.

The RX100 VI will be my only camera for the foreseeable future, so not using them on another unit is a non-issue.

Leaning towards Lensmate when they come out with the camera specific adapter.

Thanks again.

I've got the Magfilter arriving next week for my VI. I went for the 58mm version as I have a bunch of 58mm ND's already. I may have bought the Lensmate if it had been ready, but I need a solution for a shoot in September.

WalksWithCamera said:

Thanks for that info.

Since screwing filters on and off can be time consuming in any case, then the bayonet mount per filter requirement seems OK to me. The only two filters I'm likely to have are a CPL and a Variable ND.

The RX100 VI will be my only camera for the foreseeable future, so not using them on another unit is a non-issue.

Leaning towards Lensmate when they come out with the camera specific adapter.

Thanks again.

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Using the lensmate on mine I had to eventually super glue the mount onto lens as it would come off on hot days! Not a problem since and it also gives you a place to put lens cap protecting the cams lens cover blades

Bill Borne said:

Using the lensmate on mine I had to eventually super glue the mount onto lens as it would come off on hot days! Not a problem since and it also gives you a place to put lens cap protecting the cams lens cover blades

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OK then, I'll be aware of that! I always have some super glue around. Wonder if Lensmate knows this is a problem?

Also, my camera has the diopter slippage problem discussed on these forums. Another use case for super glue?!

I have not had an issue with the Magfilter. It doesn’t appear to be prone to falling off or slipping.

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Ken Ross said:

I have not had an issue with the Magfilter. It doesn’t appear to be prone to falling off or slipping.

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Good to know. Thanks.

In another thread it is reported that 52mm MagFilter has vignette issues with the RX100 VI. Since I have some 52 mm filters already I'll wait for Lensmate to have theirs ready.

But it's nice to have options!

For your use, I think the lensmate positive hold is the way to go. Easy attachment, even with gloves on, and, you can stack filters, and, you can put a protective cap on your existing filter and leave it on the camera in/out of a small bag or big pocket.

rx100m1 I started with MagFilter, 58mm, largest plate. It has the most exposed rear surface to catch wind. I almost lost it shooting out of my convertible and shooting out of a speed boat.

I then changed to Kiwi Threaded Adapter, for positive hold. Adds 4.5mm depth to camera, and you need to screw the threaded filter on. Easy to do if you set it up first for an outing with CPL. You need a 2 ring CPL for this. Can stack and add a protective cap. Not easy with gloves, not quick.

I just went back to MagFilter for ease of use of their 42mm OD CPL. It is single ring, rotates while being held magnetically. It won't get blown off by wind, but it can be dislodged, and, it has no threads to stack an ND with it, or add a protective cap to it if left on. In use, it will be best to pull out, use, put back, one advantage is the camera retains it's original size.

I made this drawing to confirm the magfilter ring fits the new m6. Both MagFilter ring and m6 lens barrel are 37mm OD. My m3 barrel measures 42mm, my m1 I noted as 42.5mm. Not exact using calipers, just rulers across the face.



m1 camera body and focus ring are both 58mm diameter. a shim was needed for m1 ring rotation on my tripod mount. Newer models, the focus ring is 56mm, and a 55mm or 52mm or 42mm OD allows you to have the camera flat on a table, 58mm is a bit too big for that, because the lens is just a bit lower than centered, so about 1mm of 58mm plate extends below the bottom of the camera. No biggie, just mentioning it.

Thanks for the input. BTW, pulled the trigger on the 10 m4 for ship to shore. Love the m6 so far, except the battery life. Going to an indoor mall later, taking it for practice.

elliott, Thanks much for that detailed info, really appreciated. I'll definitely wait for the Lensmate adapter and I can post here when they send me the notice that it's available.

MagFilter with nikon 6T diopter on an RX100VI.





The MagFilter stays in place even with a relatively heavy filter attached.

--
...."Sony, your crap is so good"....love this quote!

What about the kiwi adapter? Is it not as good as Lensmate or Magfilter?

Kiwi is a good system, I think better looking than Lensmate, but Lensmate is the winner for quick and easy attachment/removal, even with gloves on.

After the speed boat trip, I switched from MagFilter to Kiwi, to have positive hold. (If I didn't have the biggest 58mm, it would have been less of an issue).

Kiwi adds 4.5mm to camera depth. It just fit in my very snug m3 case. Then you screw any threaded filter on, or stack a few, and, because the filter you use has face threads, you can add a lens cap to the filter, leave it on, protect it moving thru the woods, or dusty or misty area, as long as your case has a bit of extra depth.

You need bare fingers for attachment/removal, and a solution to protect your filters during transport.

I just removed the Kiwi ring (oh boy, needed a butter knife on the edge to get it started, that adhesive is strong). Bill said his Kiwi adhesive loosened, he was in the west, very hot, I don't go out in that weather.

Added the thin metal ring, and got both MagFilter single ring CPL, magnetically held, no face threads, and I got their 52mm filter adapter plate to use existing (or new) threaded filters. I will go back and forth as needed. Need adapter plate to stack ND and CPL for waterfalls.

I have not compared the quality and light transmission of the MagFilter CPL to my Hoya HRT (high rate of transmission) CPL, it was here, I was away for a week.

There were complaints about the initial MagFilter CPL, back in 2012, but they revised it quickly.

....................................

My removed Kiwi ring is available for free to anyone who pays the postage, I will mail it to you, send me a private message. You would need to remove the old adhesive, and add new adhesive, 3m spray adhesive would work I think, and be removable in the future, like the MagFilter rings and Kiwi plates are. I suppose the lensmate adapter plate is also removable adhesive, not easy but can be done.

In my case, I got enough old Kiwi residue off the face of the m3 to add the new magfilter ring, using my fingers, rubbing friction.

MagFilter ring attachment trick identified by another forum member, I think Jerry: extend lens, pull battery, now you have the 37mm face ready to fit the 37mm MagFilter ring.

For Kiwi, it is easier to leave the lens retracted, you can see it's outer diameter centered on the 56mm focus ring easily.

Getting them centered is easier than you think, I remember being concerned back in 2012, it's not as hard as you might imagine.

BTW, here is a snap where I missed the polarizer.

The pretty designer clouds would have popped, slight haze from forest fire smoke reduced, and of course water glare reduced or eliminated so you could see the nice granite rocks just under the surface.

Straight out of the camera JPG, slightly cropped and reduced in size. I also have the ARW file, as I learn to use the new Sony tools.

WalksWithCamera said:

BTW, here is a snap where I missed the polarizer.

The pretty designer clouds would have popped, slight haze from forest fire smoke reduced, and of course water glare reduced or eliminated so you could see the nice granite rocks just under the surface.

Straight out of the camera JPG, slightly cropped and reduced in size. I also have the ARW file, as I learn to use the new Sony tools.

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Exactly what did you say was wrong with it?







--
www.MartinDareff.com

Travelshooter said:

Exactly what did you say was wrong with it?

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Underexposed for one thing, but you fixed that too, hah! Thanks, looks like a nice place!

Hii Looking to get the LensMate, for my RX100M6 is the 58mm version the correct one? Thank you...