NiSi Square Filter Explorer 100x100mm IRND 64 6Stops

NiSi Explorer 100x100mm IRND 64 – 6-Stop Durable Tempered Glass ND Filter

The NiSi Explorer 100x100 mm IRND 64 is a 6-stop neutral density filter made for photographers who move and shoot outdoors. The Explorer series uses hardened glass to reduce the risk of accidental breakage, making these filters well suited for active photographers and adventure shooting.

Built with tougher B270 tempered glass and protective coatings

These ND filters use a special B270 tempered glass that NiSi states is twice as durable as typical glass filters. In addition, the filters do not affect image coloration. They include an infrared (IR) coating and NiSi's Nano coating that repels dirt, water and oil, helping to keep the filter surface cleaner during use.

Compatibility and system use

The NiSi 100x100 mm Explorer filters are compatible with the NiSi 100 mm filter system. You can also use them on lenses via step-up or holder adapters that cover filter threads from 49 mm to 95 mm, allowing flexible use across many lenses.

When and why to use ND filters

Neutral density filters reduce the amount of light entering the lens. As a result, they let you use slower shutter speeds or wider apertures in brighter conditions. Specifically:

• ND8 / 3 stops: Commonly used for waterfalls and capturing water flow. Typical shutter speeds are from 0.5 seconds to 2 seconds to render flowing water smoothly.
• ND64 / 6 stops: Ideal during the golden hour (shortly after sunrise or before sunset). Use it to achieve long exposures of about 1–2 minutes to create smooth water or cloud motion. It also works well for capturing dynamic water while retaining some texture, particularly just before the golden hour.
• ND1000 / 10 stops: Suited for daytime use when much more light reduction is required. With the right settings, an ND1000 can extend exposures up to around 5 minutes during the golden hour.

Handling, durability and expected behavior over time

NiSi applies a tempering and hardening process to these filters so they are much less prone to accidental damage than standard glass filters. However, they are not unbreakable. Over time, the effects of the hardening process may decline, which can affect durability. Therefore, treat the filter with normal care even though it offers increased resistance.

FAQ

Question: Is the NiSi Explorer IRND 64 color-neutral?

Answer: Yes. The product description states that these filters do not affect the coloration of the image and include IR coating to maintain accurate color rendering.

Question: How does the Explorer glass compare to standard filters?

Answer: NiSi describes the Explorer filters as made from B270 tempered glass that is twice as durable as typical glass filters, which reduces the chance of accidental breakage during active use.

Question: Which lenses or systems can I use this filter with?

Answer: The 100x100 mm Explorer filters are compatible with the NiSi 100 mm filter system and can be used on lenses with filter thread sizes from 49 mm to 95 mm when used with the appropriate adapters or holder.

Question: Is the filter completely unbreakable?

Answer: No. The filters have undergone tempering and hardening to be much less prone to accidental damage, but they are not unbreakable and the hardening can decrease over time.

Question: When should I choose an ND64 versus ND8 or ND1000?

Answer: Choose ND8 (3 stops) for moderate long exposures such as waterfalls at 0.5–2 seconds. Choose ND64 (6 stops) for golden hour long exposures—roughly 1–2 minutes—to smooth water and clouds. Use ND1000 (10 stops) when shooting in bright daytime conditions that require substantially more light reduction, enabling exposures up to around 5 minutes with the right settings.