NiSi V7 system - First look and review — Sean O' Riordan Photography

I got the chance to test the new NiSi V7 100mm filter system from NiSi Uk/Europe which includes the holder and True Color CPL.

I’ve been a long time NiSi user and have been using the V6 system for the past 12 months. My usual kit comprises of the polariser, 4 and 6 stop ND. I’ve since added a 0.9 soft grad and reverse grad to the collection along with a 10 stop ND. This review will be a practical look at using the V7 system for landscape photography and the main things i’ve noticed from switching to the V7 from V6.

The main differences between the V6 and the V7 system are:

Extra slot for filters. Now the V7 can take 3 square filters as opposed to the 2 filters in the V6
Newly designed CPL that attaches quicker and easier to the 100mm holder.
An improved locking system between the CPL and filter holder

I’m a big fan of the new CPL design. I often found myself threading the CPL on the V6 incorrectly and then worrying about damaging the thread. With the V7, you simply line up the white markings on the polariser with the markings on the holder and turn clockwise. It locks in place quickly and easily.

Right: V7 holder with CPL, 0.9 soft grad and 6 stop ND

The process of attaching the CPL into it’s holder is certainly more seamless. The improved locking system between the CPL and 100mm filter holder feels a bit more robust and secure too. Sometime’s on the V6 i was not sure if i had secured the polariser correctly or not.

You can see the improved locking system on the right

So how did the filters perform? I have never had an issue with NiSi filters. With any filter (particularly long exposures) you are going to have a slight cast which is easily corrected in lightroom or whatever post processing software you use. My go to setup for coastal photography is a CPL along with 4 or 6 stop filter. I usually like to retain some texture in waves as opposed to creating that silky smooth milky effect from very long exposures. I would also use a 0.9 soft grad to retain some highlights while out shooting. Below are a couple of images shot with the new V7 system.

In terms of flaring, i had some flaring when shooting directly into the sun and slightly at an angle but this was easily cloned out in Lightroom or photoshop. The V7 kit comes in a nice NiSi branded pouch containing the 100mm holder, CPL and adaptor rings (67mm, 72mm, 77mm etc). My go to filter would be a CPL, this rarely comes off my lens. With the addition of a 10 stop ND I am looking forward to shooting more long exposures and getting creative in this field of photography.

I hope you enjoyed this quick look at the new V7 system from NiSi and please let me know if you have any questions. Below are the relative links where you can purchase the NiSi V7 system and other NiSi filters. Use discount code riordan-discount for 5% off orders up to €250 and 10% off orders above €250.

V7 System: https://nisioptics.co.uk/euro/product/nisi-v7-with-true-color-nc-cpl/

ND Filters: https://nisioptics.co.uk/euro/100-100-nd-neutral-density-filters/

Graduated ND Filters: https://nisioptics.co.uk/euro/100x150mm-graduated-neutral-density-gnd-filters/

Thanks a lot,

Sean.

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NiSi V7 system - First look and review