I’m a photographer and photography course instructor from Vienna and I’ve been using NiSi filters for almost five years now. As a brand ambassador, it’s important to me to share my experiences and tips with others. Being a big fan of long exposures and landscape photography, filters are an essential part of my daily work! That’s why, in this review, I’d like to share my experiences with the NiSi V7 filter system and its 100mm filters and explain why it’s a permanent part in my backpack – whether I’m traveling, working on photo assignments or teaching photography courses.

What I use the V7 for 
I have the V7 base holder with the True Color polarizer permanently mounted on my most important lenses. With the plastic cap, I can protect it well in my backpack. As soon as I want to work with additional filters like an ND filter or a graduated ND filter, I can easily attach the holder. So in its minimal setup, it’s “just” the lens with the polarizer and in the full setup I can use up to three additional square filters along with the polarizer. 

The most common use of the square filter system is when I want to achieve the longest possible exposure time even in bright light. Especially during sunrises or sunsets, graduated ND filters are an essential tool for achieving a greater dynamic range.

My most essential filters: 

Polarizer (CPL) True Color: I use a polarizing filter almost everywhere outdoors. It removes reflections on water and other surfaces like building facades or leaves, allowing the original colors to shine through more beautifully. The image appears clearer and reveals details that would otherwise be hidden behind a whitish reflective layer. 

ND1000: ND filters are my most important tool for extending exposure time in bright conditions. The ND1000 increases the exposure by about 10 stops (which equals 10 doublings), resulting in a 1000x longer exposure time. In practice, this allows for exposure times of 15 to 30 seconds even in sunny conditions and several minutes on cloudy days. 

ND64 / ND8: In darker environments (like forests, during twilight or on overcast days) or when I just want to slightly extend the exposure time, weaker ND filters like the ND64 and ND8 are more suitable. 

If the ND1000 isn’t strong enough, it can be combined with the ND8, resulting in an 8000x extension or 13 stops. 

GND Reverse: This is a graduated ND filter with the darkest area in the center, making it ideal for sunrises and sunsets. It’s my most important filter for those situations. 

GND8 Medium: A classic I often use in landscape photography to slightly darken bright skies. The transition is so smooth it’s barely noticeable, yet the effect is clearly visible. 

Natural Night: This filter is primarily for areas where artificial light causes an unwanted yellow cast in photos. It blocks yellow light to produce cooler tones and clearer images. 

Each of these filters can be used on its own or in combination with up to two other square filters.

What makes the V7 special for me 

Easy handling: I find it incredibly practical to have the polarizer permanently mounted, allowing the entire filter holder system to be attached quickly and easily. 

Durable aluminum: Since I’m often outdoors and sometimes in tough conditions, I need a reliable and rugged system. The V7 is a solid and stable filter system that performs well in demanding environments. 

Color-neutral polarizer: The True Color polarizing filter is a game changer for me thanks to its color neutrality. 

High-quality filters: The NiSi 100mm filters also meet my standards when it comes to image quality and build quality.

Here you can see some of my photos where the V7 and various 100x100mm filters helped me capture a stunning shot.