Quick answer

Buy the 100mm V7 system if your widest lens is 16mm full-frame or narrower and you want one holder for most of your work. Buy the 150mm S6 system only if you shoot ultra-wide lenses such as the Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art or LAOWA FF S 15mm F4.5 W-Dreamer, because those lenses need the larger holder and dedicated adapter ring to avoid vignetting. The 150mm route costs more and takes more bag space, so it is a specialist choice rather than a default upgrade.

The real difference: lens coverage, not image quality

Both systems use the same optical principles and NiSi filter glass. The practical difference is the front element size and angle of view of your lens. A 100mm holder sits close to the lens and covers most standard wide-angle and zoom lenses. A 150mm holder pushes the filter further out and wider, which is what ultra-wide lenses need to avoid dark corners. If you put a 100mm holder on a very wide lens, the holder or filter edges can enter the frame. If you put a 150mm holder on a 24mm lens, you carry extra bulk for no benefit.

How to check your lens before you choose

Look up your lens filter thread and its widest focal length. As a rule, lenses around 16mm and narrower on full-frame are the crossover point where 100mm systems start to struggle. Ultra-wide primes and zooms with large, curved front elements often need 150mm. The Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art and LAOWA FF S 15mm F4.5 W-Dreamer are two clear examples that require the S6 150mm holder plus their specific adapter ring. If your lens is not on a supported adapter list, the holder cannot be mounted safely, so check compatibility before buying.

Cost and workflow trade-offs

The 100mm V7 system is cheaper to enter and cheaper to expand because 100mm filters are smaller and more common. The 150mm S6 system costs more per filter and per holder, and the adapter rings are lens-specific. In the field, 100mm filters are easier to pack and faster to slide in and out. The 150mm holder is bulkier and needs more careful handling, but it is the only way to use filters on certain ultra-wide lenses. For a landscape photographer carrying one bag, the 100mm system is usually the better all-rounder. For a dedicated ultra-wide shooter, the 150mm system is the cost of doing business.

Trade-offs at a glance

  • 100mm V7 system: Smaller, lighter, cheaper filters and a wide range of compatible lenses. The Astro Bundle shows how much you can get in one kit for night and landscape work. Choose this if your widest lens is around 16mm full-frame or narrower and you want one system for most shoots.
  • 150mm S6 system: Larger holder and filters that clear the front of ultra-wide lenses. Adapter rings are lens-specific, so you buy only the mount you need. Choose this only if you own a lens that requires it, such as the Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art or LAOWA FF S 15mm F4.5 W-Dreamer.
  • Cost and bag space: 100mm filters are more common and easier to pack. 150mm filters cost more and take up more room, and the holder is bulkier in the field. If you are unsure, start with 100mm and add 150mm only when a specific lens forces the decision.

Products that show the difference

  • NiSi 100mm V7 Astro Bundle: NiSi 100mm V7 Astro Bundle includes the V7 100mm Filter Holder Kit with True Color NC CPL and Lens Cap, a 100x100mm Natural Night Filter, a 100x150mm Star Soft Astrophotography Filter, a Caddy 100mm Filter Pouch for 9 Filters, and a Clever Cleaner for square filters. This is a complete 100mm starting point for night and landscape work. It shows how much you get in one box at the 100mm size, and the pouch and cleaner keep the kit practical in the field.
  • NiSi S6 150mm Filter Holder Adapter Ring for Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art: NiSi S6 150mm Filter Holder Adapter Ring is designed for the Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art and requires the S6 150mm filter holder and filters, sold separately. It has 360-degree rotating gears for use with a CPL and aluminum alloy construction. This is the part that makes a specific ultra-wide lens work with the S6 system. It confirms that the 150mm route is lens-specific and that you must already own the S6 holder and filters.
  • NiSi S6 150mm Filter Holder Adapter Ring for LAOWA FF S 15mm F4.5 W-Dreamer: NiSi S6 150mm Filter Holder Adapter Ring is designed for the LAOWA FF S 15mm F4.5 W-Dreamer and requires the S6 150mm filter holder and filters, sold separately. It has 360-degree rotating gears for use with a CPL and aluminum alloy construction. A second example of a lens that needs the 150mm system. If you shoot this lens, the 100mm V7 is not an option without vignetting, so the adapter ring is a required purchase.

Which system fits you?

Best for

  • Landscape and night photographers whose widest lens is around 16mm full-frame or narrower
  • Shooters who want one filter holder for most lenses and lower filter costs
  • Photographers who pack light and want faster filter changes

Not for

  • Owners of ultra-wide lenses that need the S6 150mm holder and a dedicated adapter ring
  • Photographers who mainly shoot with the Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art or LAOWA FF S 15mm F4.5 W-Dreamer
  • Anyone who needs a single system for both standard and ultra-wide lenses without buying two holders