Getting to know Nisi landscape filter systems - a true beginner's guide for dummies like me...

So, while the weather is, well, interesting, I suppose I could share some random thoughts. No, I am NOT unthankful for the much-needed rain we are getting...

Caution - long read if you wish to get into using filters.

OK, landscape photography and filters...what could I possibly add to the volumes of info out there?

Some clarity I hope.

If you are an experienced photographer and a moderately experienced filter user, click back or navigate away now. This article might not be for you.

If you are keen to explore landscape filters but you can't make sense of it all, read on. I hope this article will clarify a thing or two.

I recently took delivery of this very nice Nisi kit to replace my old Cokin system which, well, went away recently. I got mine, some other stuff I had to replace and amazing service from this crowd here. But why Nisi and not Lee or any of the other brands out there? Or why not get Cokin again?

Now if Nisi is good enough for Hougaard Malan it sure as hell is good enough for me...

Canon 5D Mk1 with Cokin system

Now there are MANY brands out there and none of them cheap. So you go onto Youtube or some web page from a Google search and you find TONS of info. Some of it useful but some of it rather confusing. Much like buying your first camera, right?

So I made my call for the reasons stated above and Nisi it is. Now fancy unboxing videos are not my thing. Please allow me to share info via a reverse-unbox chat. I got the V7 Starter Pack. If you follow the link you can see exactly what you are getting. At the price you would expect more than "starter stuff" right?

There are way too many ways this conversation can branch off. I am going to try to stay focused on what I got and why I consider this a great deal.

Also, you don't have to buy a kit. Once you know what you want for your needs you can buy individual bits & bobs with confidence and get away much "cheaper" in the long run. Or you could fork out a sizable sum and enjoy some discount? Remember though, there is a considerable saving buying kits. Your cashflow, your choices...once you have understandable info you can make informed purchases.

So what is in the box? Well the website will tell you that but how does it work for you?

Three stacked Cokin P-series filters.

Let's look at this image again. Now this is NOT a brand-bashing exercise. Cokin is still available for those who wish to use it. I show this image because it is my only frame of reference to explain the benefits of the Nisi system for this part of the info I feel I can share with confidence.

Landscape filters are essentially a 3-part system.

The obvious "Part One" would be the filters themselves. You need specific filters for specific effects. You will often need a combination of filters.

Then you need a holder device to hold the combination of filters together in the best possible way. Let's call this "Part Two".

Thirdly, you need to hold the filters and holder to the front of the lens in the best possible way. Let's call this "Part Three".

Sounds jolly simple, right? Wait...the devil, as always, is in the detail. There is simply no way I could cover all of this in one article. Let's stick with what is in the Nisi V7 Starter Pack Box. I suggest we work back starting at Part Three. In the box you will find three stepping rings. They are respectively 67mm, 72mm and 77mm in diameter.

Three supplied stepping rings of various sizes.

Why is this worth knowing? Simple really. These rings hold everything to the front of the lens you choose to use. So what size ring works for you? The answer to that question lies in the lens you wish to use.

Filter thread diameter size shown on front of lens.

In this case we are in luck. Canon's EF 16-35 f/4 lens clearly displays a 77mm diameter filter thread size and so we know with which one of the rings to start. Not all lenses display the filter thread size so clearly though.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens

Canon's amazing EF 50mm f/1.4 has a filter thread diameter of 58mm. It is not displayed on the lens though. In this case, have a look at the inside of the lens cap.

Filter size displayed on inside of lens cap.

OK, so no go here because the Nisi V7 Starter Pack does not include a 58mm ring.

No problem at all. They are available as an optional purchase in sizes as small as 49mm so that bit is sorted.

So in this case we are using the Canon 16-35mm f/4 lens and the 77mm ring is where we start. It is worth noting to take great care in screwing the stepping ring onto the lens since the thread is very fine. This same caution is equally valid in the next step. Let's go...

Start by putting the right stepping ring on your lens.

Three stepping rings with main holder ring and cap.

The main ring is the one seen here on the Nisi lens cap. We will get to the amazing lens cap later. For now, let us consider the main V7 holder ring. If you use a lens such as the Mk II or Mk III version of Canon's 16-35mm f/2.8 zoom lens no stepping ring is required. This is because the main holder ring has an 82mm mount ring. This means that the main mount ring mounts directly to the lens without the need for a stepping ring.

The function of the stepping rings, supplied or optionally purchased, is purely to attach the 82mm main ring to the appropriate lens filter thread. This allows you great freedom in using the one system with a variety of lenses. And yes, we are still in Part Three...

Mounting the main ring to the lens. Stepping ring may or may not be required.

Why are those white marks there?

With the main ring added it should look a bit like this. The red arrow I added in is there for a very good reason. The supplied circular polariser can be mounted independently from other filters. That arrow shows one of three index markings used to mount a polariser filter.

Polariser mounted and twist-locked correctly.

This is what it should look like when the polariser is mounted correctly. To start, drop the polariser in carefully with the white index marks on the polariser and the mount ring aligned.

Mount polariser with index marks aligned.

When the polariser is dropped in correctly and with all three sets of index marks aligned properly as above, twist the polariser clockwise carefully but firmly until it stops.

Mounted and locked correctly.

It should look a bit like this above image. Be careful and take some time to practise this in a safe environment. It is very easy to get finger marks on the glass.

How NOT to do it.

This is a good version of how NOT to do it.

At the back of the main holder ring, two of these little wheels will be seen. It is a good idea to hold one of them while the polariser is mounted or dismounted.

One of two polariser rotating knobs

One of two polariser rotating knobs

In using the polariser it is turned for maximum effect using any one of these two wheels. They are 180 degrees apart so one of them will always be easy to reach regardless of where the mounting rings fasten to a stop.

With or without the polariser mounted, the system can be stored securely with the very nice lens cap supplied. I will probably dismount the polariser and store it in the pouch just to be sure.

The supplied lens cap is a very nice touch.

Now let us finally get to the actual filter holder. Part Two, finally.

Rear view of filter holder.

This is still essentially Nisi's V7 filter holder system and it works with 100mm filters. Some are 100mm x 100mm and some are rectangular 100mm x 150mm. Roughly the size of a jumbo print.

Can you use filters from other brands? Probably, as long as they are of the same dimension. The typical standard in system sizes seem to be 75mm for smaller lenses, 100mm for typical full frame D-SLR lenses and 150mm systems for those extreme wide zooms such as Nikon's 14-24mm lens. There is even a 180mm system for Canon's 11-24mm zoom. But back to the 100mm system.

The Nisi V7 filter holder assembly mounted on a lens.

Three slots for three filters.

Fitting the filter holder onto the main ring is also something that should enjoy a dry-run or three in a safe environment.

Locking cams used to mount the Nisi V7 filter holder onto the mount ring.

With the camera mounted on a tripod, slide the filter holder rearwards onto the front of the main ring from left to right. Be sure to engage the two lobes onto the main ring positively. Keep the silver spring-loaded knob pulled out and release it when the holder is securely in place on the main ring.

The filter holder orientation can now be locked as needed or unlocked by using the inner screw as indicated.

Nisi V7 filter holder locknut screw assembly.

Now you are ready to insert the combination of required filters and start shooting.

We have worked back successfully from Part Three via Part Two and here we now, very briefly, discuss Part One.

Over and above the True Colour Polariser there is a square solid 10-stop filter and a rectangular 3-stop soft grad filter in the Starter Pack I selected.

The 3-stop soft edge graduated filter is strong enough for dimming most African skies while exposing the foreground properly. The solid 10-stop filter allows me the long exposures I want to do. Combined, the possibilities are nearly endless. Will I add to this system? Most definitely. For now I have a very capable starting point though.

More about this later.

Further items in the kit include some cleaning items such as a blower to remove loose dust and dry particles. Also included is a flat filter glass cleaner. Looks like a very nifty little tool but I have not been brave enough to try it yet.

Finally, there is a pouch that can hold a combination of about seven additional square and rectangular filters. At around R 3000.00 or more per filter it will take me a while to fill it but watch this space...

The Nisi 100mm filter caddy pouch.

I am already putting up with handbag and manbag chirps from the wife...oh well...

Nisi's 100mm filter caddy pouch interior.

Much more is available as optional purchases and I will definitely be buying a pack of 10 cloths soon.

I believe this covers and explains the contents of the kit to a fair degree. I do hope that it answers a few questions you, my reader, may have had.

Yes, everything can be purchased individually but buying this specific kit in SA now would save you between R 2000.00 and R 3000.00 over purchasing every item individually.

Now what?

Let's go play and capture some great images!

So, until next time, happy shooting!

Anton