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NiSi 111786 ND64 100x100mm Explorer Collection 6-Stop Filter — main product image
NiSi 111786 ND64 100x100mm Explorer Collection 6-Stop Filter
NiSi 111786 ND64 100x100mm Explorer Collection 6-Stop Filter
NiSi 111786 ND64 100x100mm Explorer Collection 6-Stop Filter
NiSi 111786 ND64 100x100mm Explorer Collection 6-Stop Filter
NiSi

NiSi 111786 ND64 100x100mm Explorer Collection 6-Stop Filter

★★★★★4.8 (61 reviews)

Six stops of light removal in hardened Explorer glass — shoot waterfalls, seascapes, and cloud streaks with accurate color and no cast.

$145.00*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 14, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The NiSi ND64 Explorer Collection filter is a 100x100mm hardened glass neutral density filter built for the landscape photographer who takes their kit into the field rather than keeping it studio-safe. The ND64 designation means exactly 6 stops of light reduction — a precise optical tool that transforms fast, frozen-motion exposures into long, flowing ones: waterfalls go silky, ocean surfaces become glass, clouds streak across the sky in a single frame. The inclusion of IR (infrared) cut technology in the coating addresses the chronic problem of standard ND filters — the warm or reddish cast that appears in longer exposures because uncorrected IR transmission shifts color balance. With the NiSi IR ND, your RAW files come back with genuinely neutral color that reflects the scene rather than the filter's optical limitations.

The Explorer Collection designation reflects a specific design intent: this is a filter for photographers who move through demanding environments — wet coast rocks, high mountain passes, sandy beaches — where standard glass filters are a liability. The hardened glass substrate is materially more impact- and scratch-resistant than conventional optical glass, reducing the risk that a filter contact with a rock or a drop onto a hard surface ends your shooting day. The 2mm thickness is the standard for 100mm holder systems, maintaining compatibility with NiSi's own holders as well as Lee, Formatt-Hitech, and other 100mm-format systems. It is a field-tested, optically precise tool for a very specific and demanding photographic use case.

Key Features

Hardened Glass Filter, Less Prone to Accidental Damage

1.8 density provides a 6 stop reduction of light entering the lens

Made for Active Photographers that Love Adventure

True to life color, No color cast

Compatible with the NiSi 100mm System and any other systems that hold 100x100mm filters with 2mm thickness

Specifications

Filter Type
IR ND (Neutral Density with IR cut)
Density
ND64 (6-stop)
Size
100x100mm
Thickness
2mm
Material
Hardened optical glass
Series
NiSi Explorer Collection
Compatibility
NiSi 100mm system and compatible 100x100mm holders

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Six stops of light reduction opens up silky-water and motion-blur exposures in bright midday conditions where shorter exposure times would be forced upon you without any filtration.
  • The IR-cut neutral density coating delivers genuinely neutral color rendition in long exposures — landscapes come back from the field with accurate water and sky tones that don't require cast correction in Lightroom.
  • Hardened glass construction survives the physical demands of adventure and outdoor photography — the filter handles being transported in a pack, mounted in wind, and cleaned in the field without surface damage.
  • The 100x100mm square format is compatible with multiple brand filter holders, so this filter works across different holder systems you may own or upgrade to without requiring repurchase.
  • The Explorer Collection designation reflects a filter built specifically for active outdoor use — the combination of hardened glass and accurate color makes it a practical working tool, not just a studio accessory.

👎 Cons

  • At 6 stops, this filter requires calculating exposure compensation carefully — at very bright midday, a 6-stop reduction still leaves you in fast-shutter territory, and true long exposures may require stacking with a 10-stop ND.
  • The 100x100mm square filter requires a dedicated holder system — unlike screw-on circular ND filters, this cannot be used without a compatible 100mm holder, adding system cost for new landscape photographers.
  • Glass filters of any kind risk breakage if dropped directly onto hard surfaces — despite the hardened construction, the Explorer Collection is not indestructible and warrants careful handling during setup and teardown.
  • 100x100mm square filters can introduce vignetting when used with ultra-wide lenses (below approximately 16mm on full frame) at maximum wide angle, particularly when a holder is attached.
  • The filter must be removed or adjusted when dramatically changing focal length in a zoom lens, since the optimal placement in the holder for vignetting avoidance can shift across a wide zoom range.

Frequently Asked Questions

ND64 reduces light entering the lens by 6 stops — meaning an exposure that would be 1/500s without the filter becomes approximately 1/8s, or a 1s exposure becomes 64 seconds. In landscape work, this translates to silking moving water, streaking clouds across a frame, or removing people from busy scenes in a single exposure.
NiSi specifically engineered this filter with IR (infrared) cut technology alongside the neutral density coating, which prevents the warm or magenta cast common in standard ND filters at longer exposures. The result is color-accurate extended exposures that require minimal white balance correction in post.
The ND64 Explorer fits the NiSi 100mm filter holder system and any third-party system that accommodates 100x100mm square filters at 2mm thickness. This is a standard square filter size that works with holders from Lee, Cokin X-Pro, Formatt-Hitech, and others that accept 100mm square glass.
Hardened glass is significantly more resistant to scratching, impact, and thermal stress than standard optical glass or resin alternatives. For outdoor adventure photographers working on rocky coasts, mountain ridges, or in rain, the Explorer Collection's hardened glass provides meaningful protection against the accidental bumps and drops that would chip or shatter a standard filter.
Yes — the 2mm thickness is the standard for 100mm square systems, allowing stacking with other NiSi or compatible filters in the same holder. Common combinations include pairing the ND64 with a graduated ND or circular polarizer for complex exposure control in bright outdoor scenes.

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