Review - NiSi unveils V7 100mm filter holder kit
This month NiSi unveiled its newest 100mm filter holder kit, the V7, so let’s take a closer look.
First and foremost, I am a NiSi Filter fan, and throughout all the upgrades, I have upgraded because the changes have enabled me to speed up my workflow. So I was really excited to take a closer look at the V7 and see what improvements have been made.
© NiSi Australia
Upon opening the box, there were a number of positives that stood out in terms of build quality and of course features. The V7 is made from aviation-grade aluminum by CNC, and features a matte black frosted finish on the surface to minimise reflections. The V7 kit comes complete with the 100mm filter holder, an 'ultra-slim' True Color CPL, four adapter rings for the most popular wide-angle lenses (67mm, 72mm, 77mm, and 82mm), a lens cap, and a storage pouch that will fit comfortably into your camera bag.
The V7 allows for the easy use of up to three 100mm wide, 2mm thick filters along with an included and newly designed 'True Color' circular polariser filter. NiSi says the kit has no vignetting at 16mm with wide-angle lenses on full-frame, and from the tests I performed, I would have to agree.
© NiSi Australia
What I love about the new design is that it features a unique rotation wheel design, so the CPL filter can be rotated independently with filters still in place via a cog on the back of the filter holder. I have always felt this was a game changer for NiSi versus other brands.
The new True Color CPL prevents colour casting introduced from many CPLs, and it uses a proprietary NiSi Pro Nano Coating to reduce unwanted reflections and provide a waterproof and oil-resistant layer to assist in the cleaning of unwanted fingerprints, dust, and water stains. As a landscape photographer, this is incredibly important, the speed and ease in which you can wipe and clean filters is amazing, and I recommend this to everyone.
A game changer is the new 'Point to Point' CPL design allows for easier guided installation of the CPL into the main 82mm adapter. By lining the white markers on the CPL up with the white mark on the main adapter and twisting, the CPL can be secured in place and removed with little effort. Previously I never removed the CPL from the mount, mainly due to not always getting it secured and I was afraid of scratching and or breaking the CPL (which I have done). I feel this is a massive benefit for all photographers, and makes installing and removing the CPL easy depending on what you're shooting at the time.
The other improvement is the a unique clip system grips only along the edges of the filter avoiding contact with the surface. Filters are easy to insert, and contact with a filter’s main surfaces are avoided, particularly when using graduated filters. So no more rub marks/lines on the glass surface.
© NiSi Australia
After being fitted onto the adapter ring, the filter holder’s pull-and-release locking pin helps to provide a reliable connection that allows the holder to be rotated 360°. To further secure the position of the filter holder, it features a lock that can be activated by rotating a small wheel around the release pin which prevents any rotation of the filter holder.
The V7 kit also includes a push-on lens cap that will protect the CPL while still connected to a lens and a padded holder pouch for safe storage and transport. This is a must have, being that I tend to never remove the CPL and adapter from my wide angle lens, it fits tight and is a great feature for added protection.
The NiSi V7 Filter Holder Kit retails for $369.00
Putting it to the test:
Being in lockdown, I decided to put the system to the test on the farm. I packed the filter kit into my bag and headed off to various locations on the farm to utilise the system in different conditions. I found attaching the adapter ring to the lens simple and easy, in fact I felt it glided on a little easier than its predecessor. The CPL was effortless, straight away the indicator marks suggested the CPL was locked in place, and it was… I tended not to remove the CPL from the V6, as I always had a fear of dropping, losing, smashing the CPL. The new design was so easy that you could actually do this single handed (and yes… I tried).
The new designed locking screw is a great feature and one I will more than likely use on a regular basis, especially when utilising grad filters and when moving it prevents your filters from moving.
The feature that
