At Inter BEE 2023, we stopped by MOFAGE and talked about their new set of drop-in ND filters for their adapter. Those filters, along with an additional Kinefinity mount now join the system and adds some interesting capabilities. is also coming. The MOFAGE POCO Drop-In Filter Adapter Mount Kit is an adapter that enables the insertion of a filter between the lens and the camera. This one can adapt the professionally common PL mount to most mirrorless mounts. This includes Sony’s E-mount, L-mount (LUMIX, SIGMA, Leica, DJI), Canon’s RF mount, Nikon’s Z-mount, and Kinefinity‘s mount that’s just been added. If you’ve missed the internal ND on your mirrorless camera, this kind of adapter and extended filter kit will bring joy back to your workflow!If you’ve ever worked with a camera that has an internal ND filter system, you can never go back. There are some clever solutions of course, and sometimes one just needs a compact, nimble, large sensor mirrorless, but something is lost. Having an internal ND eradicates most exposure-related issues. With this level of ND control, one can practically choose almost any aperture and ISO setting while maintaining a 180° shutter angle. Plus, since it’s internal, the variable ND works well with any lens, eliminating the need for screwing, adapter rings, matte boxes, and so on. The MOFAGE POCO PL to E/L/RF/Z/Kine mount adapter supercharges your mirrorless camera.The mirrorless revolution exponentially expanded adapting options with mere millimeters of flange distance gap. This gap was first used to attach readily available DSLR lenses to the new mirrorless mounts, but soon enough manufacturers began to exploit the newfound space. Today, we have several clever adapters, ranging from speed boosters to helicoid macro extenders. We even have an SLT adapter enabling phase-detect autofocus at a time when on-sensor phase detectors were unheard of. Several manufacturers used the empty space to introduce an interchangeable filter module. A recent addition to that line is the MOFAGE POCO with its growing filter systemWhat’s new?While relatively new, the MOFAGE POCO has been around for about a year. The company has never been idle about it and listened to user feedback. This accumulates into new additions to the system. A new user-replaceable KineMOUNT is added, allowing Kinefinity cameras the advantages of such a system. Another addition comes in as new fixed ND filters. Those will come in several different densities and may stack inside the adapter for additional range and flexibility. Fixed ND filters usually perform better than variable ND’s since no polarizing filters are involved.Tech specs of the MOFAGE POCO adapterThe POCO is a robust metal adapter with several compatible filter modules. A variable ND and a clear filter are included with the basic kit. The variable ND density is 0.3 (1 stop) to 2.4 (8 stops), and the clear filter will maintain focus distance with no neutral density. The density is set via a small purple treaded wheel. The tiny treads will provide distinct tactile operation, and will also enable remote operation using electronic motors. The advanced kit will include an additional pair of black mist filters (1/8 and 1/4), a similar pair of white mist filters, and an orange streak filter.MOFAGE POCO filters, Image credit: MOFAGEAn arca-swiss compatible tripod leg will help balance the set with medium-large lenses. It will also remove the (sometimes massive) lens weight off the camera mount. Since most mirrorless cameras are originally designed for lighter stills lenses, this is an important feature. When using more weighty cine zooms, lens support should be considered.Interchangeable mountsOne impressive ability of the MOFAGE POCO is its interchangeable mounts. With just a handful of Torx screws, all available mounts can be easily replaced in the field. We would recommend changing them in a clean environment since mounts are rather sensitive to the slightest changes in angle to distance. MOFAGE did include several shims to compensate for variations in flange distance between different mounts and even between different cameras. MOFAGE POCO mounts, Image credit: MOFAGEBefore you buy – some issues to considerThe MOFAGE POCO will lend itself to a variety of cameras. While “box” cameras such as the RED Komodo or LUMIX BS1H won’t suffer any design conflicts, some other hybrid cameras might. The location of the purple filter release button may interfere with the “prism” bulge, and the positive lock wheel might get too close to the grip or block essential function buttons. Cages may also block the side-oriented filter change. Another optional issue may occur with some PL lenses. Most PL lenses use a protruding element design. As the mount uses a rather generous flange distance, some rear elements are deep inside to get closer to the sensor. In rare cases, this might interfere with the filter module, rendering the adapter useless. MOFAGE was clever enough to provide these simple, downloadable tools to check each lens beforehand.MOFAGE POCO, Image credit: MOFAGEWho is the MOFAGE POCO adapter for?The POCO PL adapter will cater to the needs of several different audiences. Hybrid camera content creators wanting to upgrade to a more cine-oriented workflow will appreciate some new options. Upgrading to PL lenses and an integral ND filter system may transform one’s creative process. Established filmmakers who wish to adapt their collection of PL lenses to a small camera for various reasons (compactness, crash-cam, large format look, high ISO, etc.) will find this adapter quite useful. Finally, production houses, rental houses, and anyone working with more than one camera system will appreciate the interchangeable mount ability. MOFAGE POCO, Image credit: MOFAGEAlternativesThere are several drop-in adapters across the market. Some of them can even maintain electronic contacts, such as Canon’s own Drop-In Filter Mount Adapter EF-EOS R with Variable ND Filter, but they don’t offer mounting flexibility or a PL mount. PL drop-in adapters include the rather affordable Meike Drop-in Filter Mount Adapter. While only available for Sony E-mount users, and not as abundant in terms of optional filters, it might fit your bill. Breakthrough photography offers a plethora of high-end products. Those include the impressive CINEMA DFM series with somewhat greater variety. They come with a steeper price tag but might be worth it in some cases. Other options include external filtration systems such as front thread filters and matte boxes. Price and availabilityMOFAGE POCO system kits are available as a special order at B&H The standard kit will set you back $439, while the advanced kit adds up to $599. Mist or streak filters will cost $49 each and an additional mount will cost $19.Do you use a drop-in filter system? Are you considering the MOFAGE POCO? Let us know in the comments.
