Does the Nisi Natural Night Filter really cut Light Pollution?
I will admit, I was very skeptical that the Nisi Natural Night Filter could reduce light pollution and make a more natural appearing night time photo. As usual, I had to know. So I went out and bought it (yes I purchased this and was not asked to do a review by Nisi). After it came in, I rushed to Kansas City, the best city in America, and had some fun.
From the very first comparison shot in the camera, I was shocked. Looking at the LCD, I could clearly see a difference in the images. Then I started thinking; I wonder if I could just get the same effect on the image in post production in Adobe Camera Raw.
My first instinct was to reach for the keyboard and pound in, “Nisi Natural Night Filter Review.” I found more reviews than I had expected, but what I didn’t expect was the amount inconclusive thoughts on the filter. Some said it was worth its weight in gold, while others said save your money.
For my test, I took a batch of images into ACR and experimented with a couple of questions in mind:.
- Can I mimic the effect of the filter in post production on the non-filtered image?
- Does the filter give me a better starting point for post production than without the filter?
- Is this filter just a magenta color filter with no real value?
I figured if I could answer these questions with my experiment then maybe I would have a more conclusive decision about the filter’s value. For the experiment, I took two shots of every scene, one filtered, and one unfiltered. You can watch the whole tutorial below, but here are the answers to my questions about the Nisi Natural Night Filter after my tests.
- Yes and no. You can get something close, but the filter clearly cuts some of the light pollutions from mercury and sodium vapors
- Yes, it reduces some light pollution, but it comes with the cost of a magenta color cast. Red bricks look very magenta and unnatural.
- No, it has value, the starting point is better than the unfiltered image.
I may need to run some more tests on Milky Way skies and Cityscapes with more light pollution. However, I am satisfied with the Nisi Natural Night filter and will continue using it. Do you use filters for night photography? If so, which one and are you happy with it?
For Blake, it's all about the art and process synergy. He dives deep into complex topics and makes them easy to understand through his outside-the-box thinking so that you can use these tricks in your workflow today!
Thanks Blake,
Quite interesting. Now this question might extend off from the Milky Way. But, what do you think it would do for cutting the smoke from fireworks displays? Maybe another experiment for you.
I’d be very curious to know.
As Usual, thanks for all that you do!
That is a good question. Do Fireworks produce Sodium or Mercury vapors? That would be my question.
This from a friend who is excellent at night photography.
I personally don’t use a light pollution filter because the were originally designed for telescopes where the tint from city lights is constant across the highly magnified field of view. With wide angle nightscapes, the light pollution is much greater at the horizon and less as you look straight up. This requires using multiple masks to remove the various pollution intensities. I guess if you were shooting a cityscape without regards to the sky, it might be OK, but the magenta tint kills the beauty of the Milky Way.
That’s just my 2 cents,
Sweet! That is good to know! Thank you!
Blake
Another thing to consider is the rapid rate that cities are doing away with Sodium Halide and Mercury vapor lamps in favor of broad spectrum LEDS. As LEDS become more and more common these filters will get less and less useful. Now it is very possible to make LED lamps that are easier to filter but that is not the direction things are going. Cities seem to be going towards broad spectrum, “daylight” style LEDs. My own town just put them in over the summer. When they are looking at a 90% cost reduction they are jumping at replacing the bulbs.
That is very true. You can see that in one of the images in KC. One side of the street is mainly LED and the other side is sodium/mercury based. The LED street shows almost no difference in the image.
Interesting experiment. I guess my question is since you are very good at post-production, even though this might save you a little time in ACR, is it saving you $200 worth? (I guess the value of $200 varies depending on individual circumstances).
Asked another way, if you had not already spent the money on it, would you buy it again?
Honestly, probably not. I think it is helpful to have a good starting point, but I functioned just fine without it 🙂
Wonderful Article! I like Nissin stuff, as they are proving to be quite good. Interesting this filter, I didn’t even knew it existed and I am the kind of vampire woman lol… Best regards, from Uruguay, 🙂
Thanks! It is an interesting piece of gear, more studies will prove if it is worth its hefty price tag.
Another great tutorial, thanks for the review Blake
No problem, always my pleasure!
I was not aware of this filter. Thanks for the enlightenment, no pun intended. As one who is planning a two week trip to Utah in October and planning to shoot a lot of night scenes, I think this would be a deal maker. I took a look at the Nisi website and the images are quite stunning, the difference, of course. I don’t use square filters, only B+W screw ons, and I’m happy to see them available in 77mm and 82mm, so ya, I’ll drop the cash.
Thanks for the info. Blake, you cost me so much money.
lol, I did not intend to cause you money, just report my results 🙂 Don’t blame it on me, haha! With that said, these are good filters, but I am still trying to figure out if they are worth the price tag. I will be shooting the Milky Way mid month for more data.
I’m going to give it a go. I’ll make images with and without the filter. I’m always looking for something that will enhance my look. Can’t hurt to try. Just kidding about the cost, you only live once, right?
Since I’ll almost certainly do some post processing of my night images, I figure why use a filter. It’s just another piece of glass on the end of my lens. Count me as a no on this one.
That is another good way of looking at it.
Hey Blake, I don’t do a lot of night photography so my question is more academic. Can you take an unfiltered night picture and start your post processing in PS by adding a magenta photo filter adjustment layer to mimic the night filter and get the same effect as using the filter?
Maybe, but I think these filters are designed to cut certain wavelengths, kinda like IR and UV filters. However, my results on finding that data were inconclusive.
Good presentation. Take only occasional night photos. Won’t necessarily rush out to buy light pollution filter, but at least now I something about them. Thank you.
Thanks! It may not be an absolute necessity for many, I still have tests to run on the Milky Way. Coming soon!
I wonder how this will work in polluted areas like, where I live – India!
Excellent video, otherwise
Not sure, I am going to try it in Chicago and see what it does.
I am looking forward to your thoughts on how it works for milkyway photography. Any chance of a comparison to the slightly less expensive Haida NanoPro MC Clear-Night Filter which amazon also carries?
It appears to be a similar if not the same filter. Same color and similar concept.
My photo supply camera is full of filters both from the film and digital era and I just don’t use anything but the polarizer, split density and density filters (for long exposures). 1. The cost and extra field activity of putting filters on is just too much. 2. Cameras and editing software continues to offer more ways for creating the desired results. 3. The less equipment I carry while traveling, better freer I am to create and less time at the airport checking equipment. Appreciate the review….seemed fair and informative.
Hi Blake,
Interesting review of a filter that I’ve been looking at possibly buying.
The tests would’ve been a better comparison in my opinion if you shot them at the same white balance (instead of AWB) & compared the results.
Noticed in the video that some of the shots without the filter are at quite different WB to the shots with the filter.
Cheers,
Vic.
so is this filter pretty much a tinted glass? Or there is more to it?
I am still trying to figure that one out. According to their website, it does not state that it actually cuts wavelengths of light. I am still running more tests with it.