Haida M10-II Filter Holder | Review
During this last few weeks I have been using the new Haida M10 - II filter system that Haida sent me to test. Although I was somewhat intrigued at first about what improvements could be done in the first version of the M10 (that I´ve been using since it was released), Haida found a way to surprised me yet again.
This is my review of the brand new M10 - II:
My First Impression of the
New Haida M10 - II Filter Holder
Haida M10-II Filter Holder on the Canon EOS R5 + Canon RF 15-35 F2.8L
As I told before I have been using the previous version of the M10 for quite some time and was very happy with it performances. Of course, we photographers are never 100% happy with the gear we have so I've started to give some feedback, of my daily use of the holder, to my friends at Haida to see if there were some room for improvements…and they found it.
When we built on something as great as the original M10 we can only find ourselves with some great piece of equipment on our hands.
Haida M10-II Filter Holder Kit
Its design improves on the previous one and maintains a drop-in slot for a polarization filter or neutral density filters and allows the use of square filters slots too, allowing the normal 2mm thick 100 x 100cm and 100 x 150cm filters to be used.
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The new version of the holder is connected to the lens through an adapter ring, just like any other system.
Haida M10-II Filter Holder on the Canon EOS R5 + Canon RF 15-35 F2.8L
A large spring-loaded red lever provides a good connection between holder and adapter ring and it is very easy to rotate the filter holder when connected without any danger of losing the filter holder while working or walking with the camera; it stays perfectly in place.
On top of this Haida added a new lock system to prevent the holder from accidentally rotate while in use.
The polarization filter needs to be dropped into the drop-in slot were a small rotating wheel on top of the filter makes it possible to rotate the polarization filter without having to remove any other filters that might be placed. When no polarization filter is needed, a dummy drop-in ring can be inserted to prevent any light leaks (very important especially if you like long exposure shots).
The inside of the filter holder maintains a thin ring of foam, to prevent any light leaks when using dark neutral density filters.
The filter holder itself comes with a round pouch, giving room for the polarization filter and the dummy ring. It provides a good protection for the holder but it will take a lot of space in your bag. It can easily be connected to a D-ring outside the camera bag if you like.
Using the Filter System during Harsh Weather Situations
As I told before, during this last few weeks I got a chance to use the new holder in very changeling situations especially with strong winds and heavy rain. Even if at times it seems almost impossible to use filters and get a usable shot I always try to shot because you can get some really nice light for long exposure photography.
One of the accessories I never leave at home is the Haida Caps for my lenses. With Haida caps I am able to keep the adapter rings on my lenses at all times and that prevents the constant placing or removing rings on the lenses. When I wanted to place the M10 – II filter holder, I found out it can be placed very easy with just one hand in a matter of seconds. The added lock was a plus in this kind of conditions.
Haida M10-II Filter Holder on the Canon EOS R5 + Canon RF 15-35 F2.8L
Some Shots Using the Haida M10-II Filter Holder
All the pictures taken with Haida M10-II Filter Holder on the Canon EOS R5 + Canon RF 15-35 F2.8L and Red Diamond Filters from Haida
Major Improvments
Upgrade One:
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The insert filter slot of the tenon-and-mortise structure. The guides for the filters are easy to fit, in plastic, and do not require the use of screws or any other locking mechanism that could have future oxidation problems. You can now freely make the disassembly and replacement of multiple insert filters faster (one filter slot or two filter slot) using your own hands.
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Upgrade Two:
Lock-in structure. More convenient to disassemble the holder with a single hand.
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Upgrade Three:
All drop-in filters are made by aluminum alloy.
Upgrade Four:
An extra button rotated by 360° to make sure the holder can be locked at any angles you choose. In the previous holder and although the filter holder could be placed within seconds, there was no locking mechanism that prevented the holder from rotating by accident. That issue is no more!
In Conclusion
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With the new upgrades Haida keeps on adding to the characteristics that already made the first version of this holder a great product:
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Quality of construction;
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Design;
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Easy to use;
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Light weighted
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Drop-in filters continue to be a fantastic solution ( the combination of the regular filter holder with the drop-in system is a winners choice);
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No light leaks;
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Great combination of Drop-in ND filters available;
If you’re in a market for a brand new holder or if you just want to upgrade to one of the best in the market then you should definitely look at this fine piece equipment that Haida just made available in the marker.