I’ve used the NiSi V5 PRO filter holder for quite a while, and it has been a fantastic addition to my landscape photography kit.
Not only is the V5 PRO filter holder built beautifully for the best results, but it allows me to use up to three 100mm filters in addition to a circular polarizer.
Additionally, the filter holder has plastic filter slots that grip the filter and keep it in place without impeding the view through the camera lens. The filter slots also allow for easy adjustment of graduated ND filters to get the perfect exposure.
In other words, the V5 PRO is everything I wanted in a filter holder.
Now that the Nisi V6 100mm filter holder is here, the question is, what has NiSi done to make it an even better accessory for landscape photographers?
NiSi V6 100mm Filter Holder vs NiSi V5 PRO 100mm Filter Holder
Given the performance of the V5 PRO filter holder over the years, it was hard for me to imagine how the V6 filter holder could be better.
But believe me, it is.
In comparing the V6 holder to its predecessor, it’s clear that NiSi retained the very best features of the V5 PRO and added more goodies to make the V6 a worthy update.
Here’s just a few ways that NiSi has upgraded the V6 filter holder.
The updated design is more streamlined and makes inserting and removing filters easier.
The updated design is more streamlined and makes inserting and removing filters easier.
The included circular polarizer is a NiSi exclusive, and has a raised design which makes it easier to insert and remove. The difference between the V5 PRO CPL and the V6 CPL is quite amazing - there’s far more contrast and visual punch, especially in the sky.
A new lock system has been integrated into the holder to fix the filters into position. The V6 also rotates a full 360-degrees.
Additionally, NiSi has upgraded the lens cap (shown below), so it’s easier to fit and remove.
There’s a new weatherproof soft pouch to hold the filter holder. The pouch can be mounted on a tripod leg, your belt, or a camera strap so you can easily access it while shooting.
So, while I love my V5 PRO filter holder, the V6 absolutely knocks it out of the park with the new and improved features listed above. It truly is a step above!
NiSi V6 100mm Filter Holder Specs
Made from aviation-grade aluminum, the V6 filter holder is both lightweight and durable, thanks to single element processing via CNC machine.
The holder is designed to work with three 100mm filters and a circular polarizer in any combination you wish, so you have no restriction on customizing the order of your filters to get the precise results you want.
NiSi has coated the holder in a matte black frosted finish to minimize reflections and there is zero vignetting at 16mm on a full frame camera. This means you get improved image quality and that you don’t have to worry about having to fix these issues in post-processing.
All told, the V6 filter holder is a superbly designed piece of equipment that weighs about 4 ounces, so it packs a mighty punch!
NiSi V6 100mm Filter Holder Ease of Use
I’ve used many different filter holders over the years, and, disappointingly, most of them have simply not been easy to use.
The NiSi V5 PRO filter holder broke that trend, and the V6 does the same.
In particular, I appreciate that the V6 has a rotation wheel design (shown above), which allows me to rotate the circular polarizer independently of everything else. This is done simply and quickly via a cog on the back of the filter holder. This is probably my favorite feature of this holder because it allows for much faster fine-tuning of the CPL than what was previously available.
What’s more, the raised design of the polarizing filter aids in faster insertion and removal of the filter into the filter holder.
Furthermore, as noted earlier, the V6 features an updated clip system that makes inserting and removing filters a breeze.
There are left-to-right pressed clips that keep the filter locked into position, but with guides along the clips, it’s much easier to get the filters into place.
I appreciate the fact that this holder rotates 360-degrees and has a lock to fix the filters in place. Locking is a simple process via a screw, as shown above.
NiSi V6 100mm Filter Holder Included Accessories
When you buy this filter holder, you get much more than that.
In fact, NiSi has packed this thing to the gills with accessories you can use to improve the functionality of the filter holder. This includes:
- 4 adapter rings (67mm, 72mm, 77mm, and 82mm)
- An 86mm ultra-slim circular polarizing filter (my kit has the landscape CPL)
- A protective lens cap
- A soft carrying case
NiSi V6 100mm Filter Holder Compatible Filters
I use the 100mm filters from my NiSi V5 PRO Advanced Filter Kit with my V6 filter holder, but this holder isn’t limited to working only with NiSi filters.
In fact, you can use any 100mm filter with this holder. That includes both 100mm x 100mm filters and 100mm x 150mm filters as well.
NISi V6 Filter Holder Price
Currently, the NiSi V6 Filter Holder is on preorder for $229.00 for the version I have, which comes with adapter rings and a landscape circular polarizing filter.
The NiSi V6 Filter Holder with a regular circular polarizer and adapter rings (shown above) is on preorder for $188.00.