Individuals typically ask me which filters and filter techniques I take advantage of for my gear. And truthfully, I do not use filters THAT a lot. I solely use them once I have to. It’s no secret that I would like to unravel as a lot as potential in postprocessing. Subsequently I do not use graduated filters an excessive amount of. However that does not imply I do not carry filters with me in any respect. There are a selection of circumstances the place I can not do with out them: Consider circumstances the place I need to management the reflection on a floor like water, the place a polariser filter is basically helpful. Or a second through the day the place I need to use an extended publicity, the place I take advantage of a full ND filter, normally 8 or 10 stops.
Additionally it is of no shock that I like to {photograph} with excessive broad angle lenses. The disadvantage of that is that I want to make use of filter techniques which can be larger and extra ‘trouble’ to hold round. However is it actually that dangerous? I typically hear folks say that they like to not use excessive broad angle lenses as a result of ‘they cannot use filters’ with it, or ‘the filter techniques are too large.’ Really, I used to suppose the identical. However I am now utilizing ‘larger’ filter techniques for years, and truthfully, it isn’t as dangerous as you may suppose!
On this article I will be exhibiting you the Nisi S6 filter system that I’m at present utilizing for my broad angle lenses. I will be exhibiting you ways I take advantage of my S6 filter system with the intention to resolve if it is ‘an excessive amount of trouble’ or if it is really not as dangerous as you thought! Additional extra, I am going to probably not go into the main points of the filters themselves. The Nisi S6 holders take 150mm filters and the Nisi filters high quality converse for themselves. Glass, subsequent to no shade solid and good high quality.
What’s within the field
The Nisi s6 kits can be found for all excessive broad angle lenses in the marketplace that may’t take screw on filters. When a brand new lens comes out, Nisi is normally the primary to have a filter holder accessible for it. For instance, when the brand new Sony 12-24 GM was simply out, I used to be in Austria for an project. Nisi had the holder accessible inside per week and even despatched it straight to my lodge. When writing this text the brand new Sony 14mm f/1.8 was simply out, and Nisi already launched the holder for this lens. Now I would like to notice that it is potential to make use of ‘back-filters’ for these lenses, however I want the filters in entrance, though they’re so much larger. Why? As a result of you possibly can’t use a CPL on the again, and including/eradicating filters on the again isn’t straightforward in each surroundings. Consider utilizing an 8 cease filter for seascapes, the place you need to take some photographs with and with out the filter. You do not need to take away your lens to alter or take away a filter when your digicam is near the waves.
Whenever you obtain your S6 equipment it comes with plenty of good equipment.
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The holder itself (prime proper)
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A ‘lens’ cap you possibly can placed on the holder, with the intention to all the time have the holder hooked up to the lens if you wish to. (Backside left)
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A pleasant pouch that matches all of the stuff
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A CPL filter (backside proper)
In order that’s some good bang for the buck. You all the time obtain a CPL filter together with your equipment.
The ‘trouble’
So sure, the equipment is greater than your 100mm equipment or possibly you are utilizing magnetic filters on your lenses. But when you are going to use (quick) extremely broad angle lenses, there is no avoiding the larger filters and holders. And like I discussed earlier than: I too thought that I did not need to go into the larger filter techniques at first. However I’m now carrying with me for years, and I merely cannot return. And truthfully, they do not take as a lot house in your bag as you may suppose.
To start with, I am not utilizing the Nisi pouch once I journey. Sure, it is a good design and a really strong pouch, it is just too large to carry with me. As an alternative, I made a separate ‘broad’ and small compartment in my digicam bag, the place I retailer the filter holder which normally has the CPL already in it. Let me present you what I imply:
On this bag, the Shimoda Discover 60 that I take advantage of primarily for trekking, I made a small compartment that matches the holder completely. And the few (normally 2 or 3) filters that I carry, I put in a separate division (the brown leather-based pouches on the backside of the picture). As you possibly can see, it does not actually take that a lot house when you design your bag departments in a correct means. I even have a Mindshift Backlight 36L that I typically use at residence, that I designed in an identical means.
After which you might ask: However what about filters on your smaller lenses? Good query! I do not normally carry 2 of these techniques. For smaller lenses with screw on filters I’ve a CPL filter and a few tremendous mild weight screw on filters (with ring in order that they match on any lens). The additional weight and house for that’s subsequent to none.
So all in all it is certainly a little bit more room and weight to hold larger filters and holders. Nevertheless it’s not as dangerous as lots of people are pondering. I used to be in the identical boat at first, however I simply can’t dwell with out my extremely broad angle lenses. I merely like them an excessive amount of 🙂
Within the subject
Utilizing the Nisi S6 holder within the subject is a breeze. You merely slide it over your lens (because it does not have any screw on), after which lock it with the massive ring on the holder so it is hooked up in a agency means. The half the place you slide in your 150mm filters takes 2 filters (you possibly can stack them on prime of one another) and 1 CPL.
The Nisi S6 holder (with CPL + 10 Cease filter) hooked up to the Sony 14mm f/1.8 lens.
Ensuing photograph.
You may connect/detach the half which really holds the filters. This works with a easy pin locking mechanism.
You pull the pin to detach the components. And after they’re hooked up collectively you possibly can flip the little ring on the mechanism to ensure it is utterly locked in order that your filters do not by accident fall off.
There’s a large wheel on the holder that you should use to rotate the polarizer filter to manage glare and reflections.
And an attention-grabbing little element is the particular black foam materials on the within of the holder that removes all inside reflections in order that you aren’t getting bizarre filter reflections. Nisi calls it ‘Flocking Expertise’. A pleasant contact.
I have been utilizing the Nisi S5 and S6 holders within the subject for a really very long time. I’ve to say that I solely had issues with it 1 time and that was with the sooner variations the place I used to be photographing on the sea with robust winds. The filter a part of the filters was apparently not hooked up correctly and fell. After that Nisi instantly took motion and added the additional ring to lock the half securely. They despatched me the brand new model and it by no means occurred once more. This additionally proves to me that Nisi may be very concerned. They act quick if their product has a minor problem and ensure to repair it within the newer model of the product.
Closing phrases
Larger filter holders and filters should not for everybody, however when you love photographing with excessive broad angle lenses like I do, you may need to think about using a much bigger filter system. In case you’re on the fence whether or not it is too large for you, I merely advise you to strive it out in a retailer, workshop, or borrow it from a good friend. In case you design your bag correctly, the system should not actually take a lot house in any respect. The Nisi S6 system for larger lenses (accessible for nearly each broad angle lens and not using a filter thread) is sweet bang for the buck, as you get a pleasant pouch, lens cap, and even a polarizer with it.
Some photographs made with the S6 holders + Nisi filters:
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