Tilta Illusion Magnetic Filter Ultimate Kit Review
The new Tilta Illusion Magnetic Filter Ultimate Kit is built around a fast magnetic connection system, making it easy to swap configurations on the fly.
The system’s base is the Circular Polarizer Filter, available in three variations. The standard Circular Polarizer is claimed to reduce reflections and glare while maintaining color depth and contrast. The Polarizer + ND variation integrates 5 stops of neutral density, while the Black Mist 1/4 variation creates a softer look by gently blooming highlights and reducing contrast.
Once mounted to the included 77mm or 82mm Adapter Rings, the Polarizer can be paired with the VND Adapter to create a Variable ND system adjustable between 1-5 or 5-10 stops depending on the selected configuration.
- True Color CPL & Black Mist 1/4 + VND Stacking Module = 1/4 Black Mist + VND 1-5 Stops
- True Color CPL & ND32 + VND Stacking Module = VND 6-10 Stops
- True Color CPL + VND Stacking Module = VND 1-5 Stops
- True Color CPL & ND32 Filter
- True Color CPL & Black Mist 1/4 Filter
So what does 1-5 Stps and 6-10 stops actually mean? As ND can be measured in different ways, below is a table for you that clarifies things.
| STOPS | ND | OPTICAL DENSITY |
TRANS. % |
| 1 | ND2 | 0.3 | 50% |
| 2 | ND4 | 0.6 | 25% |
| 3 | ND8 | 0.9 | 12.5% |
| 4 | ND16 | 1.2 | 6.25% |
| 5 | ND32 | 1.5 | 3.12% |
| 6 | ND64 | 1.8 | 1.56% |
| 7 | ND128 | 2.1 | 0.78% |
| 8 | ND256 | 2.4 | 0.39% |
| 9 | ND500 | 2.7 | 0.2% |
| 10 | ND1000 | 3.0 | 0.1% |
The True Color CPL + VND Stacking Module = VND 1-5 Stops (0.3-1.5), while the True Color CPL & ND32 + VND Stacking Module = VND 6-10 Stops (1.8-3.0).
Tilta claims that the filters have no color cast as they utilize a cinema-grade Full Spectrum (FS) coating that delivers low reflectivity and even light transmission. I will test this further down in the review.
Most common filter combinations are integrated into a single piece of glass; however, fewer stacked layers mean vignetting is eliminated at the source.
The filters feature a water- and oil-repellent surface, with an included microfiber cleaning cloth.
The filters pair with the dedicated filter pouch for organized storage, either single filters or full kits.
The kit includes two screw-on adapters for photography and cinema lenses with 77mm or 82mm front filter threads. Additional sizes can be purchased separately.
The included Protective Covers mount the front and back of the Illusion Magnetic Filters. They can be used on a single filter or multiple filters when they are magnetically stacked and locked together. This allows users to safely travel with a protected and compact stack of filters.
Build Quality
The filters are nicely constructed. The magnetic and locking attachment tabs all work well.
The filters are extremely thin.
Usability
As the filters are so thin, they can be a bit fiddly to use. Initial installation is also something you can’t rush, as you need to attach them correctly.
I wish Tilta had put a larger tab on the filters so that they were easier to adjust. If you are just setting the filter and leaving it alone, then it isn’t a huge deal, but if you are working in fast-paced environments and need to constantly be making adjustments, it is difficult to do.
If you are wearing gloves or have large fingers, making adjustments to the filters can be even more difficult.
I would have also liked to have seen some labeling on the filter compartments, because when you have a kit that has multiple filters in it, they can be hard to find if you are in a hurry.
Stacking Filters
Because the filters are so thin, you can combine them to create even more ND if you want. As a test, I combined both the 1-5 stop and 6-10 stop filters to give me 15 stops of ND!
When I put this combo on a Nikon Z9, I had to set the ISO to HI 2 (102,400 ISO) and set the aperture to F2.8 and shutter to 1/60th, and I still didn’t have enough light!
But, as you can see from the above image, it took on a very green tint at that level of ND.
Performance
As I mentioned earlier in the review, Tilta claims that the filters have no color cast as they utilize a cinema-grade Full Spectrum (FS) coating. So let’s put that claim to the test.
I set up a test where I shot a color checker chart with a Sony FX6. I did a manual WB with no ND being used, as this gave me my reference image to compare the Tilta Illusion filters against. At lower ND values, the Tilta Illusion Filter did a pretty good job. Once you start getting up to higher amounts of ND, you do get a slight color shift, but at least in my opinion, it’s still acceptable, especially considering that 10 stops is the equivalent of ND 3.0.
Above, you can see the Tilta Illusion when set at 5 stops, and at its maximum of 10 stops. It does start to introduce a slight amount of magenta at 5 stops, and then as you go to higher stops you will start to see a slight green shift. This is only fairly marginal, and it could be corrected pretty easily.
Above you can see a zoomed-in look at white and middle grey for the reference image, 5 stops, and 10 stops, along with the RGB values for white.
-
Reference Image -
5 Stops -
10 Stops
Above you can see the vectorscope for No ND (the reference image), 5 stops, and 10 stops.
Now, technical tests are all good and well, but in the real world you would ideally be white balancing if you changed the ND, especially if you aren’t shooting LOG or RAW.
CPL
The CPL, when used on its own, does a good job of getting rid of or reducing reflections, as you can see above.
Pricing & Availability
The Tilta Illusion Magnetic Filter Ultimate Kit is now available for $279 USD. This represents good value for money given what you get in the kit.
Conclusion
The Tilta Illusion Magnetic Filter Ultimate Kit is a solid offering that offers good color performance in a lightweight configuration. While I like the concept of having very thin filters, I did find that the trade-off was when it came to making adjustments. As the filters are so thin, I found them difficult to use if you need to be constantly making adjustments.