One of the major considerations when moving from DLSR to Mirrorless cameras was the ability to continue using my Haida 100mm Filter system with the Haida M10 Filter Holder. Previously, my ultrawide angle lens of choice for landscapes was the Nikon Nikkor 16-35mm f/4 AF-S VR G ED Lens, but moving to mirrorless meant I would be investing in the brand-new Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S Lens, and previously, that meant only being able to use a 150mm filter system.
150mm filter systems are heavy and cumbersome, but they are also more delicate to carry into remote locations, meaning a higher risk of breaking a filter and, due to their increased size, they are much more expensive to buy and replace.
As soon as I saw that Haida had developed 3 different solutions to use filters with the new Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S Lens, I pre-ordered the lens (It had recently been announced, but was not available for sale yet!).
Haida were kind enough to send me 2 of their solutions, the one I was most eager to test first was the new adapter ring, designed specifically to allow the use of the M10 filter holder (Which I already had) with the new Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S Lens. This new ring is specific to the lens and just replaces the regular adapter rings (37mm to 95mm) which are used to mount the M10 holder on other lenses.
The ring is made of aerospace grade aluminium, it is super lightweight and very well made. It has a small clasp which locks it in place instead of the 3 different lens hoods which are available for the Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S Lens. The feedback from the locking mechanism reassures you that the ring is securely locked in place, giving you peace of mind that you filter holder is safe, especially when working on the edge of a cliff or in an uncomfortable position. The Adapter ring is not bulky, infact I prefer to leave it attached to the lens at all times (I never shoot with a lens hood).
I absolutely love the fact that this simple adapter ring allows me to use the cheaper, smaller and less delicate 100mm Square filters with Haida’s M10 filter holder. Incredibly, even at 14mm, there is no visible vignette in the images! Haida’s M10 Drop-in filters cannot be used when using this adapter ring, so it is important to use the light barrier in the M10 to avoid light leaks.
For anyone that doesn’t currently own the M10 Filter holder, Haida have created 3 alternative options to be able to use filters on the Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S Lens.
The first is a set of screw-on 112mm filters, these include a UV filter, a CPL and ND filters. These filters screw into one of lens hoods included with the lens. The 112mm diameter means they are quite large and there is more chance of them getting dirty or having water splashes when shooting near the sea. The Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S Lens has a bulbous front element, meaning the lens cannot take regular screw-on filters without using this specially designed lens hood.
The second option is the new ‘Rear lens filters’ which are mounted to the back of the lens with a dedicated holder. The filters are tiny, lightweight and are becoming more popular, with many modern lenses (Nikon, Sony, Canon, Sigma and Tamron) accepting this form of filters. This option is definitely the lightest and best for hiking / backpacking and remote locations, but they are fiddlier than using other systems, and removing the lens each time you want to put on or remove a filter is likely to significantly increase the number of dust spots on the lens.
Conclusion: I had not invested in the original Nikon 14-24mm F2.8 lens when I shot with a DSLR because using filters would have required me to invest in a 150mm filter system, which is heavier, bulkier and more expensive. Haida have come up with an incredibly simple and versatile option by designing this new adapter ring and it is worth every penny!
Please Note: This is not a paid review or product endorsement. Haida have sent me this adapter ring to test and review. The review is my honest opinion about this product.
Haida Filters are available from Photo Images Malta.