NiSi V7 with True Color NC CPL
● £199 ● www.nisioptics.co.uk
LAST year I reviewed NiSi’s previous filter folder, the V6. It worked quite well, but I had reservations over certain aspects of the design. Now the firm has fixed the biggest of these gripes, which elevates the V7 to being one of the best options available.
As before, NiSi’s V7 holder is based around an 82mm lens adapter ring, which is designed to place the bulk of the filter holder behind the front of the lens. Step-up rings are provided for use with 67mm, 72mm and 77mm threads. But in the first major update, the matched polariser now employs a bayonet fitting. This is a minor stroke of genius, making it dramatically easier to mount or remove in the field. The design also means a polariser can be used without having to mount the main filter holder.
The holder itself clips onto the lens ring via a sprung pin, with the second big improvement being that it’s now locked in place using a concentric collar, rather than a second pin. This makes the system much less error-prone and easier to use. As before, it incorporates three filter slots, which have a particularly minimalist profile to combat any risk of vignetting. I saw no problems even with the Laowa 15mm f/4 ultra-wide lens.
As before, the polariser is rotated via a pair of small wheels placed diametrically opposite each other on the adapter ring. But these dials end up in different locations, depending on the lens you’re using, which is the one remaining irritation of NiSi’s design. Much of the time it isn’t a problem, but with the other holders it’s easier to locate the polariser dial when you’re looking through the camera’s viewfinder.
The holder kit fits nicely into the supplied case, which can be attached to your camera bag but doesn’t have a shoulder strap. NiSi supplies its filters in slim faux-leather cases, with a soft lining and magnetic closure. They take up little space in your bag and can even be slipped into a large jacket pocket. Overall, it’s a well-organised, portable design.
Verdict
NiSi’s V7 holder may look very similar to its predecessor, but I found it to be a real practical improvement. The bayonet-fit polariser and improved locking mechanism make it much easier to use, and it’s now up there among the best you can buy.