Testbench
ACCESSORIES
NiSi 100mm Filter holder for Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S Michael Topham tests a custom-made filter holder ● £69 ● www.nisioptics.co.uk IN YEARS gone by there has often been an infuriating delay between lens manufacturers releasing new wideangle lenses and filter Adapter lock companies releasing a suitable holder, or The adapter ring features a adapter ring, to support them. One filter locking pin to ensure it’s manufacturer that seems to be on the securely attached to the right track is NiSi, who designed and built front of the lens; however a custom filter kit for the new Nikon Z it’s not captive. 14-24mm f/2.8 S incredibly quickly. But how does it fare and do we recommend it? 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 Locking lens, which is done by aligning the white dot wheel with the white dot on the lens before Prevents the filter holder rotating it anti-clockwise. To prevent it being accidentally loosening there’s a locking pin that needs removed and also stops tightening. This pin isn’t captive so it it from being shouldn’t be unscrewed too far. With the rotated. 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. Tightening the small metal wheel between the silver pin and holder eliminates any possibility of accidentally releasing the holder from the adapter. The holder is compatible with 2mm thick 100x100mm or 100x150mm filters from NiSi and other brands like 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. The holder also allows you to use two filters at as wide as 14mm with no sign of vignetting.
ALL PRICES ARE APPROXIMATE STREET PRICES
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. It doesn’t support use of a rear-mounted polariser and the holder locking wheel can be fiddly to operate with thick gloves, 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. 82
82 Accessories Mar13_MT AW JP.indd 82
At a glance ● For 100x100mm or
100x150mm filters
● Accepts a maximum of
two filters
● Made from lightweight
aluminium
● Not compatible with V6
adapter ring
Holder pin
With the locking wheel in its unlocked position, this is pulled outwards to remove the holder from the adapter.
Rotation
The holder can be rotated freely by 360º in its unlocked position. Recommended
ALSO IN THE RANGE NiSi has also made a new hood for the lens. It’s different from the HB-97 hood Nikon supplies in that it’s made from lightweight aluminium alloy rather than plastic and is designed to prevent light leakage when 112mm screw-in filters are used – something that Nikon’s HB-97 hood does sadly suffer from. www.amateurphotographer.co.uk
01/03/2021 15:29