Review: Hands-On with H&Y’s New Swift Magnetic Accessory System

H&Y’s Revoring concept is not new, but the latest version takes the best parts of past revisions and integrates it with new and improved features for a more seamless filtering experience. In this review, we are going to look at the unique filter holder that uses an adjustable threaded ring to mount an array of magnetic accessories on lenses of all sizes.

Like previous reversing models, this new model uses a single, adjustable ring that can be compressed and stretched to fit almost any lens with filter threads between 46mm and 62mm.

These new revorings are just like the original models, but now they allow the accessories and the filter holder to stick to their magnetic.	The original Revorings came with a thread or a built-in filter for your own screw-in filter – such as this variable ND combined with a polarizer.

The original Revorings had its own thread into which you could screw your filter, while later revisions came with a filter built-in, such as the variable ND combined with a polarizer shown above. The new Swift design further enhances the system by adding magnetic accessories to the mix, as well as some new filters and a drop-in filter holder. The system is called Swift because it is supposed to change accessories and filters quickly, theoretically they snap and shut down instantly. And, for the most part, they do.

Behind the lens hood I stacked variable ND, a black mist and a polarizer – to show you what you can do. You will notice that the hood is made of the same type of rubber as the camera i-cup and it collects dust in the same way. It doesn’t affect its functionality, but it does look a bit bad in the product image.

Want to see the Swift filter system work? Watch the video above for a hands-on demo.

Two systems

Although the system is one of multiple parts that are interchangeable, H&Y accessories are divided into two broad streams: one for still photographers and the other for filmmakers.

The whole system includes:

• Magnetic Riverings (a)
• Magnetic bridge ring (b)
• Magnetic square / rectangular filter holder (c)
• Magnetic 100×100 / 100x150mm Filter (d)
• Magnetic VND round filter (E)
• Magnetic drop-in round filter holder (f)
• Drop-in filter (g)
• Magnetic collapsible rubber lens hood (h)
• Magnetic matte box (i)

Being used

Once fitted to the reversing lens, we can then add the accessories we need, taking care to mount them properly and in the correct order. The magnetism will soon tell you that you are trying to mount things the wrong way because the two accessories will repel each other, so you will quickly realize that you have to flip the new one around.

Smooth finishing accessories, such as these 1.5-5-stop NDs, stick straight to the river without any assistance.	Other accessories like this drop-in filter holder have a groove and need a bridging ring to connect to

Things that connect directly to Revoring have a smooth connecting surface, such as a variable ND. Most accessories use grooves to align themselves, so if you need to attach one of these to the reversing, you will need a bridging ring at the reversing first. From there, you can fit square filter holder, drop-in filter holder, hood or matte box.

Here I have attached the 100x150mm filter holder to the reversing through the bridging ring. Since the filter holder itself is magnetic, you can stack 100x150mm filters of your choice, although two are usually sufficient. These are a pair of ND grades, the front one inverted to darken the front and the rear darkening the sky.

If you want to apply multiple filters, you can stack the drop-in filter holders, and the variable ND can sit behind anything else you add – so you can use a VND with two additional drop-in filters or behind 100x150mm VND can use filter holder, which can accept any number of rectangular filters.

With VND and drop-in filter holders fitted, you can finish things off with a matte box or lens hood, but neither will fit the front of the 100x150mm filter holder — which may actually be where we need it most.

The system is called Swift because it is supposed to change accessories and filters quickly.

Notable for this system the new variable ND comes in two strengths; 1.5-5 stops and 6-9 stops. Both versions have a hard end-stop that prevents users from entering the terrifying X cross-polarization zone.

Build and power

I’ve been using prototype reversals since the first one was published almost two years ago and they have consistently stood the test of time. I also have an early magnetic 100x150mm filter, which I think is really good. This new system does not deviate from the general standard I came to expect from H&Y and the accessories, rings, adapters and filters themselves are very well made.

The mechanics of how all the different components work together are well thought out, and users will need to spend some time first understanding the system, once you get acquainted with the parts quickly get used to the workflow.

No matter how many items I put in the reversing, magnetism, and orientation notches, I kept everything in a safe place. The accessories themselves are magnetic so each new layer sticks together with new stimuli.

I suspect that the main concern about the system is how well the magnets hold the accessories and how much the whole part is likely to fall into the river during the shooting. In the event, however, we may instead wonder if we are strong enough to separate the magnets.

The mechanics of how all the different elements work together have been well thought out.

I’m only partially joking, because the magnets used are strong and hold the various layers of the kit together securely and without any hint of unexpected separation. When removing accessories, it is not always easy to remove what you want because they are stuck together, but I have noticed that the reversing is always in place, so it is not easy or inconvenient to rearrange and reassemble the holders and hoods.

It’s not just the magnet that keeps it everywhere, either, an accessory slot stays slightly inside the back, which prevents slippage and maintains alignment. I was worried the matte box would be a little shaky, because it looks a lot more like a filter, but I didn’t need to because it proves it’s not a problem to stay in place.

I’m not sure you’ll screw the key to the top of a matte box, but if you need, 1/4 “and 3/8” threads are provided. I wouldn’t risk putting an Atomos Ninja V here, but probably a small mic wouldn’t be out of place. The top flag can be moved.

The matte box is remarkably lightweight and beautifully crafted, and while we can’t attach a side flag to it, it has 1/4 “and 3/8” threads at the top and half-deep cool shoes at the bottom. The front aperture of the matte box fits perfectly with H&Y 100x150mm filters but, at the moment, at least, there’s no way to attach them.

H&Y doesn’t make horizontal filters, however, their magnetic frames will fit any 100mm filter you already have square or rectangular. The company just said that to raise enough money for its current Kickstarter campaign, it would introduce a cinematic filter holder for 100 x 100mm (4 x 4 “) and 100 x 150mm (4 x 5.65”) filters, and to illustrate this, the matte box is rigged. The front side will fit on top of it instead of the filters. I guess they are better protected from flames, dust and rain.

So, is it any better?

The long and short answer is ‘yes.’ It’s a solid system that actually brings with it elements of convenience and speed that its name promises. It is well designed and everything is very well made, and the magnets are certainly strong enough for every real-world situation that I can put in its way.

I’d like to see a solution for attaching the hood to a rectangular filter holder, as well as a solution for loading a 100mm filter on the front or back of the matte box and a set of horizontal filters to go with it. It would be a good idea to include whether the current campaign has reached its $ 300,000 ‘expanded goal’.

The system is really fast to assemble and fast to separate, and more importantly fast to change the field. The parts are also very well made, and I found the filters to be of great quality

H&Y filters aren’t cheap, but they offer great value for what you get These Swift accessories actually cost less than I expected, although the filters are still medium-high-ticket items. For its Kickstarter campaign, H&Y has arranged a series of matching kits with different levels of steel and video shooters and is allowing supporters to assemble their own kits.

The filmmaker’s new set costs 508 and includes:

• Revoring
• Magnetic 1.5-5 stop ND filter
• 2x drop-in filter holder
• Drop-in filter choice
• Magnetic matte box

The Photography Beginner Kit costs 528 and includes:

• Revolving with variable neutral density and polarizing filter built-in
• Bridge ring
• Magnetic 100mm filter holder
• Any 100x150mm graduation neutral density filter
• The hood of a magnetic lens
• Magnetic cap for revoring and 100mm filter holder

Their own new Swift accessories:

• Bridge Ring $ 24
• Drop-in filter holder $ 32
• Variable ND $ 159
• Lens hood $ 20
• Matt box 40

Of course, since this is a kickstarter campaign, these kits can be discounted for those who promise support. Estimated shipping time is September 2022, and while all Kickstarter campaigns carry risks, the ridiculously low target of $ 78400HK ($ 10,000) suggests that the campaign is actually more about marketing than raising funds for production. In addition the company has already built the whole sample unit.

See for more information H&Y website And H&Y Swift Kickstarter Campaign Page.

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