INTRODUCTION
NiSi is a brand known to keep close contact with its users, usually improving or redesigning its products according to some photographer's suggestions. This old and tight relationship already demonstrated its benefit - the gear is getting better and, most importantly, meets the expectations and desires of the ones who use it most - the photographers. Once again, this happened on NiSi territory, and according to some suggestions of multiple photographers, it was created a filter holder that delivers one feature that none of the previous holders have - the possibiltiy of positioning two different graduate filters from different angles. For us, landscape photographers, who constantly struggle with some difficulties in the field, these kinds of innovations are always welcome. To have the option of independently rotating different graduated filters in two different positions seems to be a great feature to have, mostly at some locations where the horizon is more irregular.
Let's see how NiSi could handle this issue and in which way the NiSi Switch holder can help the landscape photographer!
Nisi Switch Holder on the field - Reine, Lofoten, Norway
PACKAGING, CONSTRUCTION AND FEATURES
As well as with all my other NiSi products, the package of the Switch holder is seamless. A low profile package, not bulky but with the correct amount of protection.
Don't expect to find lots of stuff inside the package. When you open the box you only find the Switch holder itself, not any adapter rings, nor the polarizer. The new NiSi Switch holder is supposed to be used as a complement of your previous NiSi filter system. If you take a closer look at the package, it is well explained: this is a new holder that allows independent rotation of two 100mm filter slots and it is compatible with the previous 100mm recent NiSi systems, V5 / V5 Pro / V6.
Just to be clear, don't get it wrong, this is just a complement, a replacement of the front piece of your previous V5 (Pro) or V6 holder. Instead of the three slot filter available on V5 or V6 holder, the Switch system only has available two filter slots. We will see ahead on this review what are the real implications of this reduction.
Regarding the materials and construction, grabbing it on my hand, the Switch seems very related to the design and materials of the V6 holder: very light-weight but robust at the same time (probably built with the same aeronautical aluminum as the V6). My experience with the V6 is being very positive, I don't have any sign of deterioration or oxidation of the metals, even after exposing it to the strong elements such as snow or salty water at very cold temperatures, like in my recent winter Lofoten trip. I expect to have the same time-proof behaviour with the new Switch.
Like in the previous V6 holder, the Switch system also has a rotation lock screw. Keep in note two questions about this screw: the rotation locking screw only locks one of the two movements, it just keeps the first slot rotation attached when fully tight, there is no rotation lock mechanism for the second slot; and be careful to not loose completely the screw because it can come out and be lost (like in the V6 holder, it would be useful to get a mechanism to prevent this, maybe something to think for the V7 holder).
IN THE FIELD USAGE
At the beginning of March, I traveled to the Lofoten Islands in Norway. With a latitude of 67º North, above the arctic circle limit, this location is getting very much famous among landscape photographers for a winter trip. The landscape covered by huge snowy mountains right in front of the sea level makes this trip the perfect opportunity to test the Switch system. During the 8 days of my trip, I used the Switch in different environments and scenarios, allowing me to take some considerations.
The rotation mechanism is a joy to use, smooth but with the right amount of tightness to prevent the filter to rotate by itself. The filter slots are also very similar to those of the V6 holder. Filter insertion is easy and soft, filters remain in the desired vertical position despite of camera and tripod movements. The Switch holder (as the V6 was) is a very secure system for our precious and fragile glass filters.
The Switch holder attaches the main ring and CPL unit the same way as the V6 holder does, which I find very pleasant. I just remember you guys to be very cautious to unscrew partially the locking screw otherwise, if it is completely screwed, the holder does not adapt firmly to the main ring and it can fall (there is a note printed on the holder itself remembering to do so, NiSi kindly reminds us to be careful!).
The holder handled very well against the very demanding environmental conditions of Norway, the rotation is soft even in below-freezing temperatures, snow, and rain. I am very confident that Switch will last over time like my previous V6 or V5 Pro holders, but the time itself will prove it.
But the million-euro questions remain to be answered: do we, landscape photographers, really need the Switch?
To answer this question I would like you to picture the following scenario:
- Sometimes we have some demanding situations of light and horizon like in the picture below. With our classic holder we can choose to rotate the graduated filter to block the main source of light (right red arrow) and not to darken the tip of the mountain (blue lines), but this way the skylight from the left side would be unblocked, which could result in an uneven exposed sky. The other option was not to rotate the graduated filter at all, keeping it straight. This way we can block all the light from the sky evenly, but the mountain would also be darkened, producing an undesired result.
That is the situation where the Switch holder shines, we can use two different graduated filters, which can have independent rotations, resulting in an even block of the skylight without darkening other structures that rise above the horizon line. The Switch holder can be used in combination with the CPL ,what can be useful as well is some scenarios to remove reflections in the water, foliage, rocks, etc.
Of course, this kind of situation does not happen when we have a completely flat horizon, what usually happens in seascape photography, or when the structures rise very low above the horizon line. In these cases the classic V6 holder is quite perfect to use. In the same manner, it is not essential as well, when we have a main light source and very directional from just one side of the sky.
However, there is a significant drawback in NiSi Switch holder: to get two different graduated filters with two different and independent angles you don't have the chance to use a full-ND filter. Because this is a two-slot holder, once you use the two slots for graduated filters you don't have any room for the full ND. So, this can be a game-changer in some scenarios: when you really need a full ND filter, you can't take advantage of the possibilities of the Switch holder.
CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, I will like to answer my previous question: do we really need the NiSi Switch holder?
My answer to you is: in some scenarios we do!
Mostly, I find it useful to mountain landscapes and cityscapes situations, where we rarely have a flat and regular horizon line, and if there is difficult multi-directional light in the sky that can be tough to handle with just one GND.
Can the NiSi Switch holder replace the V5 / V5 Pro / V6 holders? No, it isn't supposed to do it. It was created to be used in combination with them.
Because it just has two slots, it is not possible to combine two independent angulations of GND with a full ND filter. Maybe in the near future, we will have a three-slot Switch system, it would be a joy!
The NiSi Switch, just like the recent V6 holder, is a very well-built and strong piece of equipment, very smooth to handle and easy to use on the field. Just like my other NiSi equipment, I expect it to last long despite the hard conditions that we landscape photographers are usually exposed to.
Regarding the retail value, with a price tag of 90€, I find it quite acceptable. Of course, each one of you should evaluate if this equipment could help you in the field, according to your type of photography. In each different scenario, it could or not justify the investment. As my landscape photography is concerned, I find it quite useful and nowadays is a constant presence on my filter bag.
In Portugal and Spain you can buy the Switch holder system, as well as other NiSi products, in the following links:
- www.nisioptics.pt
You can get a 10% imediate discount in all NiSi products using the code NISI-NMORAIS
PS: once again I would like to express my appreciation to all the concern and support that Viola Xu, as well as all NiSi brand team, has been giving to me.
Lofoten - Norway
Thank you!
