Cokin Nuances Extreme ND Z-pro

£100-120/$137-165 www.cokin.com

Cokin’s Nuances Extreme ND filters come in 6-stop and 10-stop densities, which is an ideal choice for long exposure photography. They can also be had in three sizes: P-size (84x100mm), Z-pro (100x100mm), and X-pro (130x130mm). We went for the Z-pro option as this is the best balance of portability and versatile lens coverage. Their tempered mineral glass with rounded corners is said to be drop resistant, while a nano metallic alloy coating gives a more uniform density and better colour neutrality. And our testing proved this to be more than just marketing hyperbole. Both our 6-stop and 10-stop filter samples were joint best with the Lee IRND filters for colour accuracy. Sharpness at all points in the image frame was also flawless, and both filters exactly matched their f-stop light reduction ratings. Cokin’s EVO filter holder is an ideal match for Nuances Extreme filters. It’s beautifully made and features a very effective foam gasket to guard against light leaks during a long exposure, but it is not the cheapest option.

PROS

Flawless colour accuracy; no sharpness reduction; perfect f-stop accuracy

CONS

Cokin’s holder is quite pricey; you’ll need a filter holder if you don’t already have one