NiSi 100mm Filter holder at a glance:
- Designed for the Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S
- Compatible with 2mm 100x100mm or 100x150mm filters
- Accepts a maximum of two filters
- Made from lightweight aluminium
- Not compatible with V6 adapter ring
- en.nisioptics.com
In years gone by there has often been an infuriating delay between lens manufacturers releasing new wide-angle lenses and filter companies designing and making a suitable holder or adapter ring to support them.
For a long time we’ve wanted to see lens manufacturers communicate openly with filter manufacturers about the dimensions of their products so new lenses can be used with filter systems as soon as they’re available to buy. One filter manufacturer that seems to be on the right track is NiSi who designed and built a custom filter kit for the Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S incredibly quickly. But how does it fare and would we recommend it to Nikon users?
NiSi 100mm Filter holder key features:
- Rotation: The holder can be rotated freely by 360º in its unlocked position.
- Adapter lock: The adapter ring features a locking pin to ensure it’s securely attached to the front of the lens.
- Locking wheel: Prevents the filter holder being accidentally removed and also stops it from being rotated.
- Holder pin: With the locking wheel in its unlocked position, this is pulled outwards to remove the holder from the adapter.
The kit is made up of two parts – a custom adapter ring that’s purposely designed for the lens and a filter holder that allows two 100mm filters to be slotted in and used at the same time.
First you’re required to fit the adapter ring to the lens, which is done by aligning the white dot with the white dot on the lens before rotating it anti- clockwise. To prevent the adapter ring loosening there’s a locking pin that needs tightening. This pin isn’t captive so it shouldn’t be unscrewed too far.
With the adapter ring attached, the holder can then be offered up to it. This slots in on one side and when the silver pin on the opposite side is pulled out and released the holder is securely attached to the adapter ring. The locking mechanism works well. Tightening the small metal wheel between the silver pin and holder eliminates the possibility of accidentally releasing the holder from the adapter or nudging filters out of position.
The holder is compatible with 2mm thick 100x100mm or 100x150mm filters from NiSi and other brands such as LEE Filters, Cokin and Formatt Hitech. Testing the holder with a LEE Filters Big Stopper and a graduated ND demonstrated that it securely holds filters in place.
The Big Stopper’s foam gasket created a light-tight seal at the sides, however a small gap remained at the top and bottom of the filter. This didn’t seem to affect my long exposures, however it could be resolved by extending the gasket on the back of the filter. I discovered it’s possible to use two filters at as wide as 14mm with no sign of vignetting.
Also consider
As well as releasing a filter holder for the Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S, NiSi has also made a new hood for the lens. It’s different to the HB-97 lens hood that Nikon supplies with the lens in that it’s made from lightweight aluminium alloy instead of plastic and is designed to prevent light leakage when 112mm screw-in filters are used – something Nikon’s HB-97 hood suffers from.
The NiSi lens hood has the same flower shaped design and identical dimensions as the Nikon HB-97 lens hood so users can still use the large Nikon LC-K104 cap with it.
NiSi 100mm Filter holder: Our Verdict
Nikon users who’d like to shoot at extremely wide focal lengths with the Nikkor Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S and use 100x100mm or 100x150mm filters without vignetting will take great interest in this filter holder from NiSi.
It doesn’t support use of a rear-mounted polariser and the holder locking screw can be a tad fiddly to operate when wearing thick gloves in cold environments, however you can’t fault its build quality, which is robustly made and built to last. It’s one of the more niche accessories we’ve tested, but an essential one for users of Nikon’s ultra-wide zoom lens in Z-mount.