The best filter holders are an essential item if you are looking to invest in a filter system. They make it quick and easy to change between filters plus you can stack filters on top of each other. Rather than screwing in each filter, you can quickly drop them into place. Filters create effects that you can recreate in post-processing and are particularly useful to landscape photographers for getting correct exposures.
While it may seem more cumbersome at first glance, a square filter holder system can be much easier to use than a collection of screw-in circular filters. One of the main reasons for this is that you can switch between differently sized lenses with ease. Different lenses have different filter threads, meaning if you're using circular filters they won't transfer between lenses; square holders allow you to buy adapters to work around this problem. It's much more cost-efficient.
There's also the fact that some filter types work much better in a square system. We're thinking in particular of Neutral Density Graduated filters (or ND grads for short), as you need the flexibility to be able to move the gradient up and down, depending on the needs of the scene.
• Read more: The best neutral density filters
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Different filter holders come in different sizes. In this guide, we've concentrated on 100mm filter holders, as these are the most popular among photographers. This size is designed for those using a DSLR or a high-end mirrorless system; if your setup is smaller than this, you may want to look at other systems as they may be more cost-effective.
Another thing worth noting is that some filter systems don't work too well with ultra-wide lenses, (i.e. wider than 16mm full-frame equivalent), as they cause pronounced vignetting. If you're going to be using lenses like this, it's worth making sure you get a system that interacts well with them. We've included some newer systems from the likes of Cokin and Irix that are specifically designed for this kind of photography.
But enough preamble. Let's get cracking with our list of the best filter holder systems you can buy right now.
Best filter holders for photography
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LEE has been around since 1967 so it's no surprise they're the leading brand when it comes to filters and filters holders. For landscape photographers, they're the go-to and the recently redesigned filter holder system makes the setup even easier to use. LEE has done away with the fiddly screw that was so easy to use in favor of a multi-function locking dial that both secures the filter in place and locks the angle of the filter. If you've already invested in the older system, don't worry as it's all backward compatible. The filter holder can take up to three filters at a time so you could stack a UV, polarizer and an ND filter if you want to. It might not have some of the more advanced features other filter systems have but the LEE makes high-quality equipment and is a well-respected name. See our full LEE100 Holder review.
NiSi is another relative newcomer to filters, with the company first established in China in 2005. There’s now a range of over 100 filters (though, as well as 100mm filters, it also produces circular filters and smaller filters for the likes of Sony’s RX100 series of compacts). The new V6 Holder sports what NiSi calls aviation-grade aluminum construction, along with three plastic filter slots. This is another filter holder that accommodates a circular polarizer (included), while there are three step-up rings supplied along with the 82mm adapter ring. A great value system that is hard to argue with for the price.
UK-based Formatt-Hitech’s Firecrest holder is the company’s top-of-the-range filter holder and is a nicely designed piece of kit. Constructed from aluminium, it’s not the lightest holder going, but it’s certainly well made and features two plastic filter slots on the front. A couple of nice touches are the inclusion of a 82mm multi-coated polarizing filter that attaches to a rotating ring and is positioned closest to the lens, while there’s also clever set of top and bottom covers that are designed to eliminate light leakage when shooting long exposures. Also bundled in the kit are 67, 72, 77 and 82mm adapter rings (smaller adapter rings are sold separately) and you’ve got a great value, quality system to get you started.
• Read more: Five tips for using macro lenses
The Kase K9 filter holder kit is a smart filter system, constructed from aluminium and able to accommodate up to three 100mm-wide filters. It's designed to take 2mm filters but can be configured to support 1.1mm filters too. There's also space for a 90mm circular polarizer but where it differs from other brands is that it's magnetic! This makes is so easy to snap the filter on and off as you need it. This system includes a geared filter ring allowing for easy rotation independently. It also comes in a stylish, tan leather case so you can keep all your filters safe and scratch-free. See our full Kase Wolverine Series K9 filter holder review
While most filter systems require you to slide the filters into the holder, the FH100M2 from Benro does things a little differently with a geared vertical positioning system. This sees the holder supplied with a 100x100mm square frame and a 100x150mm frame (for ND grads). Once the frame is slotted into the holder, you can wind it up and down in small, precise increments using an adjustment knob which engages with a toothed ridge on the filter frame. There’s also space for a 95mm circular polarizing filter, which along with the first-rate design and materials used, make this an excellent system to buy into.
Two things you'll find landscape photographers using a lot are ND filters and extremely wide-angle lenses. However, the two are often not all that compatible, as the thickness of the filter holder and the filter itself can cause pronounced vignetting at the corners of images, cutting into the usable field of view.
Enter the Cokin NX-SERIES filter system, which has been specifically tested with a number of popular camera/wide-angle combinations. Cokin's tests have reported no no visible vignetting when using the filter system with the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 on a Sony A7R II, the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM on an EOS 5D Mark III, and the Fujinon XF10-24mm F4 wide-angle on a Fujifilm X-T3. They also found only very slight vignetting with the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 and Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 wide-angle lenses.
The system works slightly differently than other square filter systems, with the filters needing to be slotted into place before the rig is attached to the camera. It's worth noting that the filter isn't universally compatible: it'll take filters that are 2mm thick, not the ultra-thin 1.1mm type. This means it'll take popular models like the Lee Filters Big Stopper, but not everything else, so if you've already got some filters from a different brand, it's worth double-checking. See our full Cokin NX Series filter holder review.
The Marumi 100mm Magnetic Filter Holder (M100) is robust and well-made. Thanks to its use of magnets, it’s very easy to mount and adjust square and rectangular filters. However, be warned that the Marumi Circular Polariser is not magnetic, and its screw-fit design isn’t as easy to use as you’d like.
In addition, while the fixing mechanism enables the holder to be held very securely on a lens, it needs to be attached to the adapter ring before it is screwed onto the lens. This isn’t especially problematic unless you want to change between lenses with different filter thread sizes on a frequent basis when you’re out in the field. It would be quicker if each lens had its own adapter already mounted, but instead you have to put the different-sized adapters onto the holder before it can be mounted. See our full Marumi M100 filter holder review.
Smaller than the LEE100 system and replacing the Seven5 system, the LEE85 system is aimed at those looking for a more compact filter solution for mirrorless cameras without compromising on quality. The LEE85 system is available in four different kits, but the Discover Kit is a good starter option containing the filter holder, three adapter rings (58, 67 and 72mm – other sizes are available), a 0.6 Medium ND Grad, as well as a LEE85 system pouch.
LEE Filters has re-imagined both its ND and ND Grad filters for the LEE85 system and they now feature a ‘grip tab’ on the top of the filter, allowing you to quickly see what filters are being used, while also making it that bit easier to remove from the filter mount. As we’ve come to expect with LEE Filters, filters slide smoothly into the filter guides on the holder and are held snugly in place, while changing the filter configuration to accommodate 1, 2 or 3 filters is a hassle-free and quick process.
Cokin’s been making filters and filter holders since 1972 and its affordable prices have meant that it’s been a firm favorite with new users and students alike. Cokin offers a range of different filter holder sizes (and supporting filters) for those on a budget, but we’re going to focus our attention on the Z Series that accommodates 100mm width filters. It’s a little less basic than the A and P Series of filter holders, but it’s still a pretty stripped back piece of kit. One nice touch is the filter configuration. On the front are two filter slots and a space for a polarizer on the front, while there’s also a slot on the back as well. You won’t want to be using four filters stacked together, but the filter holder can be mounted in reverse to use a single filter on the front and cut down the risk of vignetting.
H&Y has ripped up the filter holder rulebook and done things a little differently: Instead of sliding your filters into the holder, you place your filter in a magnetic filter frame (either 100x100mm or 100x150mm filter frames are available) and then simply offer it up to the filter holder and it’ll snap into place. This snap-on, snap-off approach can really speed things up out in the field, while you can place them on top of each other as well. Don’t worry about ND grads either – these can be easily moved up and down to suit the composition. A really clever idea that works well.
Read more:
• 10 things you need to know about camera filters
• The best neutral density filters
• The best ND grad filters
• The best polarizing filters
• The best variable ND filters
• The best protection filters for lenses
• The 50 best camera accessories
