NiSi Square Filter Explorer 150X150mm IRND 8 3Stops

NiSi Square Filter Explorer 150x150mm IRND 8 – 3 stops tempered glass with IR and Nano coatings

The NiSi Explorer series offers hardened glass neutral density filters built for active use. This listing is for the NiSi Square Filter Explorer 150x150mm IRND 8, which provides 3 stops of light reduction. The Explorer filters are designed to be more resistant to accidental breakage than standard glass filters, making them suitable for outdoor and adventure photography.

Durable glass and protective coatings

The Explorer collection uses a tempered glass construction that increases durability. In the original Explorer 100x100 mm description, NiSi specifies a special B270 tempered glass that makes these ND filters roughly twice as durable as typical glass filters. Additionally, the filters include an IR coating and NiSi’s Nano coating, which repels dirt, water and oil.

Despite the tempering and hardening process, the glass is not unbreakable. NiSi notes that the tempering reduces the likelihood of accidental damage, but over time the hardening may decline and the filter can still break under severe impact.

Key features

• Size: 150x150mm (as stated in the product title)
• Type: IRND 8 (ND8), providing 3 stops of light reduction
• Glass: Tempered glass (Explorer series uses special B270 tempered glass in the documented 100x100 mm models)
• Coatings: IR coating; Nano coating that repels dirt, water and oil
• Durability: Hardened/tempered to be less prone to accidental breakage, but not unbreakable

How to choose an ND filter

Neutral density (ND) filters reduce the amount of light entering the lens. Consequently, they let you use slower shutter speeds or wider apertures in brighter conditions. Use ND filters when you want greater motion blur or a shallower depth of field in bright light.

Below are common ND choices and their typical uses, as described in the original Explorer guidance:

• ND8 / 3 stops: Commonly used for waterfalls and flowing water. ND8 often enables shutter speeds in the range of 0.5 to 2 seconds to capture smooth water motion.
• ND64 / 6 stops: Often used around the golden hour (shortly after sunrise or before sunset). ND64 can allow exposures around 1–2 minutes to produce very smooth water or cloud motion, and it also works to capture dynamic water while retaining some texture before or after the golden hour.
• ND1000 / 10 stops: Suited to bright daytime conditions that require substantial light reduction. With ND1000, you can extend exposures for several minutes under the right conditions and settings.

Notes on use and care

Because these filters have undergone tempering and hardening, they are less prone to accidental damage compared with standard glass filters. However, always handle tempered glass with care. Over time the protective hardening may wear, and the filter can still break if subjected to strong impacts.

FAQ

Question: What size and density does this listing describe?
Answer: This listing describes the NiSi Square Filter Explorer 150x150mm IRND 8, which provides 3 stops of light reduction (ND8).

Question: What kind of glass and coatings does the Explorer series use?
Answer: The Explorer collection uses tempered glass—documented as special B270 tempered glass in the 100x100 mm Explorer description—and includes an IR coating plus NiSi’s Nano coating that repels dirt, water and oil.

Question: Are these filters unbreakable after tempering?
Answer: No. The filters undergo a tempering and hardening process to make them much less prone to accidental damage, but they are not unbreakable. Over time the hardening may decline and filters can still break under strong impact.

Question: How is ND8 typically used?
Answer: ND8 (3 stops) is commonly used for photographing waterfalls and moving water, where it enables shutter speeds around 0.5 to 2 seconds to create smooth motion effects.

Question: Does the original Explorer description mention system compatibility?
Answer: Yes. The original text states that the NiSi 100x100 mm Explorer filters are compatible with the NiSi 100 mm filter system and can be used on lenses with filter threads from 49 mm to 95 mm. The listing shown here is for a 150x150mm filter, and the original compatibility details specifically refer to the 100x100 mm model.