For quite some time, NiSi Filters have taken the photographic filter market by storm, especially amongst the landscape photography community. Prior to 2016, I have used many filters available on the market namely – Cokin, Hoya, B+W, Hitech and Lee Filters. Most of these filters did the job, more or less, but I was looking to upgrade to a more robust, customizable and higher quality system that will benefit me when I’m out shooting in the field.
Full disclosure, since end 2016, I have been part of the Malaysian NiSi Filters ambassador. However, everything in this review will remain completely unbiased as possible.
Earlier this year, I was contacted by NiSi and they asked me whether I wanted to do a review and some videos for their new V6 Holder. Of course, I had to say yes. So here we are.
Today, we’re gonna be looking at the new and latest 100mm filter holder system from NiSi, the V6 Filter Holder Kit.
Packaging
Before this, the NiSi V5 Pro Filter Holder kit comes with a hard filter holder case. This time, they have replaced it with a soft-pouch case that feels really nice to hold and much more practical to use.
What’s Inside the Box of NiSi V6 Kit?
- Filter Holder Case (Pouch case – ideal for travel)
- V6 Filter Holder
- 82 Main Adaptor Ring
- Enhanced Landscape CPL
- 67-82mm Adaptor Ring
- 72-82mm Adaptor Ring
- 77-82mm Adaptor Ring
- Instruction Manual (which I’ve never personally looked at)
And upon unboxing it, I immediately notice that this time the V6 holder came with plastic wrapped which is something new. Nonetheless, the same care and detail in the packaging have been pretty much the same.
V5 Pro vs. V6 – What’s New?
Appearance
At first glance, the V6 Holder looks slightly smaller than the V5 Pro. This is because NiSi has redesigned the shape with purposes. From my personal experience, I found some difficulty when I wanted to remove my ND filter once a GND filter has been slotted in. With V6, NiSi has appropriately shaping the corners allowing quick insertion and removal of ND filters with ease.
NEW Locking Screw
The new locking screw helps you to secure the holder from moving around and lock the angle of the holder in the position in which it’s set. This is important to avoid any movement of the holder during the phase of insertion or removal of a filter. It provides more stability while maintaining functionality for landscape photographers.
The lower knob, which can be found in V5 Pro, it helps to engages/disengages the holder on the adaptor ring.
Functionality/Usability
Simple and easy to use. NiSi has optimized the design of their 82mm main adapter ring with this V6 Filter Kit. This allows quick installation and removal of the CPL and the new slots on the V6 Holder are designed for smooth filter insertion. And the ease of CPL rotation is like nothing else on the market. Probably my favorite feature which can be found on both V5 Pro and V6.
Summary
Things I love:
- Comes with soft-pouch case, not the hard case anymore
- Comes with three additional adaptor rings
- Exceptional build, solid and more compact
- Includes a Landscape CPL
- Finger/thumb dials for rotation of CPL
- No vignetting (even at 16mm)
- Huge selection of ND and GND filters
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a high-quality filter system, both in terms of image quality and build quality, you really can’t look past the NiSi V6 Filter Holder system. And let’s be honest, aren’t we all looking for optimal quality, especially when it’s something we’re putting in front of our already incredibly expensive lenses?
Images Taken with The NiSi V6 Filter Holder Kit (And Various ND’s)
I made couple of videos about the new holder. Check out below. Feel free to subscribe to my Youtube channel!
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