Cokin Nuances Extreme Neutral Density Filter ND1024
£90-£130/$120-$160 These filters are a great choice for long-exposure photography in daylight www. cokin. com
“The frame has a broad section at the top that makes the filter easy to handle”
Cokin is a well-known filter manufacturer that dates back to the 1970s, but it has a reputation for being the amateur’s choice rather than a professional one. However, the company’s Nuances Extreme Neutral Density Filters have some high-end features that broaden their appeal. For instance, they are made from tough mineral glass and can withstand being dropped once or twice. A new coating process also means they have uniform density and a nano metal-alloy coating is used to ensure there’s no colour cast.
Cokin makes the Nuances Extreme Neutral Density Filters in three sizes, L (Z-Pro series), M (P-series) and XL (X-Pro series). I tested the mid-range L-sized filter, which is also known as the Z-Pro series size. These filters measure 100 x 100 x 2mm and are designed to work with the 100mm-type filters and holders that are produced by several brands.
There are also currently three strengths or densities of filter available, with the densest being the ND1024 that stops 10EV of light, though there are also 6EV and 3EV versions available. Here, I tested the 10EV filter which is ideal for enabling long exposures in daylight.
While the L (Z-Pro) Nuances Extreme Neutral Density Filter fits in a 100mm-type filter holder from the likes of Lee Filters, I used it in Cokin’s NX Series Filter Holder. Unlike most filter holders, this requires the filters to be mounted in an aluminium frame, which then slots into the holder.
Build and handling
Unlike some other ‘dense’ neutral density filters, the Nuances Extreme Neutral Density Filter ND1024 doesn’t have a light trap or felt gasket built into the NX Series Filter Holder. Although it is a neutral filter, the surface of Nuances Extreme ND looks slightly bronze in appearance when viewed from certain angles.
It has rounded corners, which means it slides smoothly into the average filter holder, but as mentioned earlier, it needs to be mounted in a frame to be used with the NX Series Filter Holder. In principle, this is straightforward, as it’s simply a case of removing two screws to release a tab in the frame, slotting the filter in and then reattaching the tab using the two screws. In practice, however, it’s a rather fiddly process because the two screws are tiny and it’s not something you want to do frequently when you’re out in the field.
Fortunately, once the Nuances Extreme ND is in the frame, it is held there firmly and the whole thing slots smoothly into the holder. The frame also has a broad section at the top that makes the filter easy to handle and means you don’t end up covering it in fingerprints.
Performance
One of the key requirements of a neutral density filter is that it should be neutral so the image has no colour cast. The Nuances Extreme Neutral Density Filter ND1024 raises no complaints in that respect and there’s no change in the colour of my images when the filter is used.
Cokin’s NX Series Filter Holder uses frames to enable the filters to be used
with wider-angle lenses than the average filter holder. A little vignetting creeps into some images when shooting with a Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM at its widest point on a full-frame Canon EOS R5, but it wasn’t problematic. It certainly wouldn’t stop me from using the lens at 14mm with the filter mounted on it.
The Cokin Nuances Extreme Neutral Density Filter ND1024 also cuts out the requisite 10EV of light enabling an exposure of 1/60 seconds, for example, to be extended to 13 seconds. That’s more than enough to blur moving water effectively. Crucially, provided the camera is firmly attached to a tripod, the filter doesn’t have a noticeable impact on image quality and there is plenty of detail visible.
Closing thoughts
Using a filter holder lacks the speed of use and convenience of a circular magnetic filter, but it brings the ability to use graduated filters as well as solid or uniform filters, which is a significant bonus.
Although it is a bit of a hassle to mount the Nuances Extreme Neutral Density Filter ND1024 in the frame that enables it to be used in the Cokin NX Holder, it only needs to be done once and it means you can
Once the Nuances Extreme ND is firmly in the frame, it slots smoothly into the holder. The wider section at the top means you can avoid getting fingerprints on the filter itself.
use it with wider lenses than many filters or holders can cope with. The neutrality and high optical quality of the filter also make it well worth doing.
If you love long-exposure photography, the Nuances Extreme Neutral Density Filter ND1024 could be just what you need.
Digital Camera verdict
Cokin’s Nuances Extreme Neutral Density Filters are compatible with other holders, but the L or Z-Pro series filters come into their own when they are mounted in a frame and paired with Cokin’s NX Holder. They slide smoothly and securely into the holder, cut out the claimed amount of light without removing significant detail and are neutral. What more can you ask for from a neutral density filter?