NiSi V7 Allround filter kits

Gradient filters are a favorite tool for my landscape sessions and they are almost always in my camera bag. The challenge for using these filters properly is using the gradient correctly. Often a certain filter is too hard or too soft and the perfect match is missing. If you have ever read up on the use of gray gradient filters, you know that there are filters with a hard, soft or even reverse gradient. And within these sub-groups there is again a subdivision in density; 2, 3 and 4 stops (0.6, 0.9 and 1.2). Is it really necessary to have all these filters? I do not think so.
I have been working with NiSi gradation filters for some time now and the NiSi Nano IR Medium GND was part of my very complete set. After having tested it extensively, it appears to have become my favorite in no time. On a long hike, where weight is essential, this would be the first and only filter that goes into my bag.

The difference between soft and hard gray gradient filters

As I mentioned above, there are different variations of the gray gradient filters, but they all have only one purpose, to darken certain bright parts of your image in order to achieve a well-balanced image. This means that these filters are only partially dark and that the bottom is still completely transparent and therefore has no influence on the exposure.

How clear the gradient is between this bottom and top depends on the filter you use. A soft gradient filter has a very smooth transition from light to dark and a hard filter has a fairly abrupt gradient. The latter is suitable for scenes with an empty horizon because it will leave a clearly visible line on all objects that protrude above the horizon. The soft gradient filter does not have this at all because the transition is much more gradual. Unfortunately, this filter is less suitable for conditions with an intense sunrise or sunset - the contrast between the sky and the land is then too great.

The NiSi Medium gradient filter

What place does the NiSi medium gray gradient filter have in this story? Indeed, this filter neatly takes up the space that the hard and soft gray gradient filter cannot fill.
In practice, this means that you can use the filter in situations where objects such as trees, buildings, mountains, etc. protrude above the horizon. As a photographer, you don't have to worry about a clearly visible line in your images or a band that is too bright on top of the horizon.
Personally, I found this filter incredibly versatile. The lower part of the transition is dark enough so that the highlights don't overexpose, yet it's transparent enough to prevent unwanted dark bands.

NiSi 6 stops iR ND64

ND filters are often used so that we can work (creatively) with long exposure times. Although some photographers praise the so-called BiG Stoppers (10 stops), my choice 95% of the time would fall on a 6 stop filter.
We like to shoot during the golden hour and if we used a pinched aperture for maximum depth of field and a 10 stop filter during this period, the shutter speeds would go towards 10 minutes….
With a 6 stop filter we stay neatly around 1 to 2 minutes and we can keep the ISO low and because of the shorter shutter speed we are able to take more images.

The NiSi V7 Allround filter kits

My favorite filters are now for sale in three ready-made kits.
Each kit is based on the latest generation NiSi filter holder, the V7, containing a True Color CPL. This polarization filter has a minimal impact on your contrast and color, but offers all the benefits of the desired effect on your images. This polarization filter, specially developed for the landscape photographer, provides the most true-to-life representation of reality. Since 2022, all kits are supplied including the unsurpassed Mindshift Filter Hive worth € 59.95

The basis is formed by a starter kit that you can use immediately and a "Plus" kit where a 3-stop soft gray gradient filter has been added for just a little extra flexibility. I use this 3 stops soft GND a lot myself in mountain landscapes and situations where trees fill a large part of my image. A skyline in cities is also a situation where the soft gray gradient proves its services.

The "Complete" kit also contains a 3-stop ND filter for use during dusk, for example, and the practical Nano Optical Cleaning Kit.

The NiSi Allround Kit - € 499.00

• 1 V7 filter holder
• 1 True Color NC Polarizing Filter
• 1 GND 8 (0.9) 3 stop medium reducer gray filter
• 1 ND64 (1.8) 6 stops gray filter
• 4 Adapter rings for objectives with a diameter of 67, 72, 77 and 82mm
• 1 Lens cap
• 1 Mindshift Filter Hive
• NiSi Nano Optical Cleaning Kit

The NiSi Allround Plus Kit - €599.00

• 1 V7 filter holder
• 1 True Color NC Polarizing Filter
• 1 GND 8 (0.9) 3 stop medium reducer gray filter
• 1 ND64 (1.8) 6 stops gray filter
• 1 GND 8 (0.9) 3 stops soft gray filter
• 4 Adapter rings for objectives with a diameter of 67, 72, 77 and 82mm
• 1 Lens cap
• 1 Mindshift Filter Hive
• NiSi Nano Optical Cleaning Kit

The NiSi Allround Complete - € 719.00

• 1 V7 filter holder
• 1 True Color NC Polarizing Filter
• 1 GND 8 (0.9) 3 stop medium reducer gray filter
• 1 ND64 (1.8) 6 stops gray filter
• 1 GND 8 (0.9) 3 stops soft gray filter
  1 ND8 (0.9) 3 stops gray filter
• 4 Adapter rings for objectives with a diameter of 67, 72, 77 and 82mm
• 1 Lens cap
• 1 Mindshift Filter Hive
• 1 NiSi Nano Optical Cleaning kit for the maintenance of your filters and lenses.
• 1 NiSi Air blower