NiSi 75x80mm ND Filter Stops Explained
By NiSi Filters Australia | Published: 2026-10-21
Category: Buying Guides
Understand ND filter stops—3, 6, 10, and 15—and choose the right NiSi 75x80mm filter for your long exposure photography.
Quick Answer
For most daytime long exposures, choose the NiSi 75x80mm ND1000 (10-stop) filter; for subtle motion blur or overcast scenes, go with the ND64 (6-stop) filter.
Understanding ND Filter Stops
ND filter stops tell you how much light the filter blocks. Each full stop halves the light reaching your sensor. A 3-stop filter (ND8) reduces light by 8 times, a 6-stop (ND64) by 64 times, a 10-stop (ND1000) by 1000 times, and a 15-stop (ND32000) by 32,000 times. The higher the number, the darker the filter and the longer your exposure can be.
The NiSi 75x80mm filters are designed for the M75 system, which uses a rectangular slide-in holder. This size fits many mirrorless and DSLR lenses with a filter thread up to 82mm when paired with the appropriate adapter ring. The 75x80mm shape minimizes vignetting, especially on wider lenses.
Matching Stops to Scenes
The right stop depends on your subject and light. For moving water or clouds, you need enough stops to blur motion. In bright midday sun, a 10-stop filter allows exposures of 30 seconds or more. A 6-stop filter gives you around 2 seconds at base ISO, which is often enough for a silky waterfall effect.
For very long exposures—minutes long—or for shooting in extremely bright conditions, a 15-stop filter is ideal. It's also useful for removing people from busy streets or creating minimalist seascapes. However, the darker the filter, the harder it is to compose and focus, so you'll need a tripod and a remote shutter release.
Trade-offs of Darker Filters
Higher stop filters block more light, but they also make it harder to see through the viewfinder or live view. You may need to compose and focus before attaching the filter, or use a mirrorless camera's focus peaking and magnification. Additionally, very dark filters can introduce color casts, but NiSi's Nano IR coating and 'True to life color' design help minimize this.
The NiSi 75x80mm filters feature a Nano coating on both sides that is water and oil repellent, making them easier to clean and less prone to flare. This is especially important when using a 10-stop or 15-stop filter, where any reflection can cause unwanted artifacts.
How to Choose Your ND Stop
- You want to blur waterfalls or clouds slightly: Choose the 3-stop ND8 filter. It allows a shutter speed of about 1/8s to 1s in daylight, enough to blur motion without overdoing it.
- You want classic long exposures in daylight: Choose the 6-stop ND64 filter. It gives you 2-8 second exposures at f/8, perfect for silky water or streaked clouds.
- You want to shoot 30-second to 2-minute exposures: Choose the 10-stop ND1000 filter. It's the standard for dramatic seascapes and busy street scenes. If you're new to long exposures, the 10-stop is a safe first purchase.
- You want to shoot 4+ minute exposures in daylight: Choose the 15-stop ND32000 filter. It's ideal for removing people or creating ethereal, minimal scenes. Be prepared to use a tripod and a remote shutter release.
NiSi 75x80mm ND Filter Options
- NiSi 75x80mm Nano IR Neutral Density Filter – ND64 (1.8) – 6 Stop: Provides a 6-stop light reduction with true-to-life color and no color cast. A 6-stop filter is versatile for daytime long exposures, letting you blur water or clouds without extremely long shutter speeds.
NiSi 75x80mm Nano IR Neutral Density Filter – ND64 (1.8) – 6 Stop - NiSi 75x80mm Nano IR Neutral Density Filter – ND1000 (3.0) – 10 Stop: Provides a 10-stop light reduction with true-to-life color and no color cast. The 10-stop filter is the go-to for dramatic long exposures in bright light, turning seconds into minutes.
NiSi 75x80mm Nano IR Neutral Density Filter – ND1000 (3.0) – 10 Stop - NiSi 75x80mm Nano IR Neutral Density Filter – ND32000 (4.5) – 15 Stop: Provides a 15-stop light reduction with true-to-life color and no color cast. A 15-stop filter enables ultra-long exposures even in harsh sunlight, perfect for creating minimalist, dreamy scenes.
- NiSi 75x80mm Nano IR Neutral Density Filter – ND8 (0.9) – 3 Stop: Provides a 3-stop light reduction with true-to-life color and no color cast. A 3-stop filter is a subtle choice for slight motion blur or for using wider apertures in bright conditions.
Which Filter Fits You?
Best for
- Photographers who want a versatile filter for most long exposure situations
- Landscape shooters who often work in bright daylight and need to achieve multi-minute exposures
Not for
- Photographers who only need subtle motion blur and shoot in overcast conditions—a 3-stop filter may be enough
- Those who shoot handheld or without a tripod—ND filters longer than 3 stops require stable support
