Last week I received from NiSi few filters and one of them was NiSi HUC PRO Nano IR ND64 + CPL. It is a screw-in multifunctional ND 6 stop filter with a built in Polarizing filter (2in1).
During the last days I had a chance to try this filter and decided to share my first impressions with you. Presented pictures maybe are not the best ones, but as soon as I will have more examples I will post part2 of this small review.
First Impressions
As expected, the quality is very good. Feels solid and polarizer is turning very smoothly.
The Filter is very thin (4,9mm) and even with wide angle lens like 16mm it is not causing any vignetting. I was very curious to see how this filter compares to top quality NiSi 100mm square system, and I am very happy to say that it is as good. There is no hint of a colorcast, and no visible loss of details and sharpness. This filter certainly maintain stunning performance of NiSi filters.
With this filter you get the same amazing quality known from NiSi 100mm system, only in a very compact and small filter size. For me this filter is a “little brother” to 100mm NiSi V5 holder + CPL + ND64.
The NiSi HUC PRO Nano IR ND64 + CPL has also all the top feature of NiSi Filters like IR Coating, Nano Coating, SCHOTT Optical Glass.
Examples
Pictures above are taken during sunset with only NiSi HUC PRO Nano IR ND64 + CPL filter used (30s. , f16, ISO 100, @17mm ). In this comparison I wanted to show how effective is polarizing effect. On the left picture, polarizing effect was set to maximum and on the right picture to minimum. Also thanks to 6 stop light reduction I was able to extend exposure time from 1/2s. (without filter) to 30 second and capture movement of the clouds and water.
In this example on the left side we have a picture without any filters (1/5s. , f16, ISO 50) and on the right side with NiSi HUC PRO Nano IR ND64 + CPL set to max polarizing effect (13s. , f16, ISO 50).
Here I had scene with fast moving clouds during the sunset. Both pictures have exactly the same settings (30s. , f9, ISO 100) and processing in LR. The only difference is the strength of the polarization effect.
Summary
I think this filter is great for everyone who is looking for a lightweight solution for long exposure pictures.
I know that square system has more flexibility in use, but sometimes we want to travel lightweight or we don’t have place in our bag for the whole filter system. With this filter it is possible to capture all kinds of movement in waterfalls, brooks in the woods, rivers, seascapes, and landscapes with fast moving clouds thanks to one small filter.
It is worth mentioning that there is also an advantage in price, which is much lower than the equivalent in the square system or even in two round filters (separate CPL and ND).
Would I recommend this filter? Yes, for sure.
