NiSi Square Filter Explorer 100x100mm IRND 8 3Stops

NiSi Square Filter Explorer 100x100 mm IRND 8 – Hardened B270 Glass with IR and Nano Coatings

The NiSi Explorer 100x100 mm IRND 8 (3 stops) is a hardened neutral density filter designed for outdoor and active photographers. It reduces light by 3 stops while maintaining natural colour, and it uses tempered B270 glass to increase durability compared with typical glass filters.

Durable tempered glass and protective coatings

The Explorer series uses a B270 tempered glass that NiSi has treated to be harder and more resistant to accidental breakage than standard glass filters. In practice, this makes the filter more suitable for demanding environments and active photography.

Additionally, the filter includes an IR coating and NiSi’s Nano coating. These coatings do not alter image coloration and provide repellency against dirt, water and oil, which helps keep the glass cleaner and easier to maintain in the field.

Important: The glass has undergone tempering and hardening processes to lower the risk of accidental damage. However, the filter is not unbreakable, and the hardening effect may decline over time.

Compatibility and system use

The NiSi 100x100 mm Explorer filters fit the NiSi 100 mm filter system. You can also use them on lenses that support filter threads between 49 mm and 95 mm when paired with the appropriate adapter holder. This makes the filter suitable for a wide range of lenses and setups within that thread range.

When to use an ND8 / 3-stop filter

Neutral density filters reduce the amount of light entering the lens, enabling slower shutter speeds or wider apertures for creative effects. The ND8 / 3-stop filter is commonly used to introduce motion blur in moving subjects and to control exposure in brighter conditions.

• Waterfalls and flowing water: ND8 typically allows shutter speeds in the range of about 0.5 to 2 seconds, which smooths water motion while keeping some texture.
• Everyday landscape use: It helps manage exposure when you want a slightly slower shutter speed without drastic exposure compensation.

Other ND grades explained (for context)

While this product is the ND8 / 3-stop version, you may find other ND strengths useful depending on shooting conditions:

• ND64 / 6 stops: Often used around the golden hour to achieve exposures around 1–2 minutes for very smooth water or cloud movement while retaining some texture.
• ND1000 / 10 stops: Suited for bright daytime conditions that require much stronger light reduction; with proper settings it can extend exposures up to several minutes during lower light periods.

FAQ

Question: Will this ND8 filter change the colour of my images?
Answer: No. The NiSi Explorer IRND 8 is designed not to affect image coloration and includes an IR coating to preserve natural tones.

Question: Can I use this filter on any lens?
Answer: You can use it with the NiSi 100 mm filter system and, via the appropriate adapter or holder, on lenses with filter thread sizes from 49 mm to 95 mm.

Question: Is the tempered glass unbreakable or maintenance-free?
Answer: The B270 tempered glass is harder and less prone to accidental breakage than typical glass filters, and the Nano coating repels dirt, water and oil for easier cleaning. However, the filter is not unbreakable, and the hardening may lessen over time, so handle it with care.

Question: When should I choose an ND8 / 3-stop instead of stronger ND filters?
Answer: Choose ND8 when you want modest light reduction—commonly for smoothing water motion with shutter speeds around 0.5–2 seconds or to slightly slow shutter speed without dramatically long exposures. For much longer exposures or very bright daytime conditions, stronger ND grades like ND64 or ND1000 are more appropriate.