Haida M10 Filter System Review

I’ve been using Formatt Hitech filters for years - that’s no secret. Haida reached and asked if I’d like to try out their M10 Filter Holder System, so I did. And I’m impressed. The Haida system is quite innovative. They strike a good balance of sturdy yet light components, have paid attention to several finer details, and most importantly the image quality is excellent. Check out this in depth review of the Haida M10 Filter System.
Haida M10 Filter System: amzn.to/2GDRnYa
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[@johncallery814]

I have the Haida M10 System you reviewed plus I have both the Haida Combination 6 Stop ND/Circular Polarizer drop-in filter and the 10 Stop drop-in ND filter. The biggest advantage for me is the drop in circular Polarizer. Because it has a handle to hold the circular polarizer I don't get fingerprints on the circular polarizer when sliding it in or out. With the Lee system, I was always getting fingerprints or sweat on the circular polarizer when putting it on or taking it off. The other advantage is with the drop-in system is the circular polarizer sits back about a 1/8th inch towards the lens and allows you to take photos during a light rain without getting the filter/lens wet (A big advantage in places like Washington State). You can also use your graduated Lee Filters in the front slots. The Lee Big Stopper with its foam gasket is too tight a fit for the front slide-in slots of the Haida unless you really force it. That's why I purchased the drop in Haida ND filters. Also having the wheel on top of the circular polarizer allows for easy adjustments and again you don't risk getting fingerprints on the CPL. The speed with which you can change and adjust the filters is an added bonus.

[@ScottDavenport]

Hey John... thanks for another set of real-world notes, and about the Lee grad filters. My Formatt Hitech 100mm filters fit very nicely in the Haida M10 holder, snug but not a force to insert (no foam gasket on these). A good way to leverage filters I already have with the ease and fluidity of the drop-in polarizer.

[@HaidaFilters]

Thanks So much John,really appreciated your feedback.

[@JoeHiltabidel]

Thanks Scott! Between your experience and a few others, I'm sold. Just bought the M10 system and then some from Haida. Can't wait to use it on the Oregon coast in May. They are still running a Christmas special, believe it or not. You get an extra filter, a bag and a discount. Keep shootin'

[@ScottDavenport]

Great to hear! Have fun!

[@traveler.west1]

Thank you for your very detailed evaluation of the Haida filter system.

[@ScottDavenport]

Sure thing, Frans! Thanks for watching.

[@frankf9233]

I like the drop-in design! Enjoyed the comprehensive review Scott!

[@ScottDavenport]

The drop-in filters are very nice. Most notably the polarizer. As I think about the shoots of done, I think I’d still want the square NDs so they can be used in conjunction with the polarizer.

[@keithbasar3376]

Hi Scott. One issue not addressed is if you put your camera in a vertical position do the filters stay in place? Is there some sort of lock system to keep them in place?

[@ScottDavenport]

Hi Keith ... thanks for bringing that up. Yes, the drop-in filters lock into place. You pinch the red grips at the top of the drop-in to remove it. The square glass filters are a very snug fit and don't slide out without pulling or pushing on them (like other square filter systems).

[@TheLegionofReason]

Have you tried the WonderPana system? If you have, which do you prefer? I got the WonderPana XL system for use on the Canon 11-24mm f/4L. The circular filters (I didn’t opt for the full system, just the core holder, so no rectangular filters) are 186mm dinner plates. I haven’t used it in the field yet. I think tomorrow will be the first time using it. I bought two circular filters for it, a CP and a 10-stop. I can say Fotodiox did an amazing job designing the mounting adapter on a lens which isn’t exactly made to have a filter system. The lens hood doesn’t detach, and the only threads are on the inside of the hood. I looked into getting the Haida system, but I have read that on this lens there is vignetting at the lowest focal lengths.

[@ScottDavenport]

Haven't tried WonderPana - once you've tried it out, share some thoughts. Always good to share info. Wrt vignetting and the M10, I had no problems with the Haida system at 16mm (full frame). One of the things I like about the adapter ring and holder is it "sits back" out of the field of view. My other filter system I get vignetting problems at 16mm... actually catching the edges of the holder in the field of view.

[@lookforbeauty1964]

One thing I don´t understand is the reason why Haida m10 polarizer is placed behind all the other filters. Light should cross the polarizar first of all, I mean graduated filters closest to the body and the polarizer the farthest. Maybe I am wrong but it is what I notice when I see the order of the filters Great video as usual, by the way

[@ScottDavenport]

I’ve seen discussions both ways about where the polarizer should be placed. And I don’t know if one is truly better than another. So long as the images look good, I’m gonna be ok :)

[@djack4125]

Why not use screw-on ND filters? Lower cost, easy to carry and stackable.

[@rickymcc8624]

Hi Scott, thanks for your review. I noted you used what looked like an infra red remote to fire your Sony, which looks quite neat vs a wired mini USB plug-in that I use on left hand side. What was it exactly? I find access to LHS ports far from ideal, especially if I'm using an 'L' bracket. Thanks.

[@ScottDavenport]

Hi Ricky...it's a simple Fototech wireless trigger. About a low-tech as it gets. And it works great. amzn.to/35mKpAY

[@lazbun]

How wide of a lens do you think I can use with the M10 system before vignetting start to show ? I have the Nikon Z 14 -30 and considering getting this M10 system.

[@ScottDavenport]

Hi Pun ... vignetting is the reason I switched to the Haida holder. www.scottdavenportphoto.com/blog/why-i-switched-to-the-haida-m10-filter-holder-system I have zero vignetting problems at 16mm. I don't know for sure about 14mm.

[@misterx6209]

Why don't they use the same system on the M15 system? As I have a lense which needs 150 mm filters I would like to buy the system for the largest lense and downsize with adapters.

[@ScottDavenport]

Not sure. Maybe the M15 will get a refresh down the line.

[@luisdiegosalas]

Does it work with the old Haida 100mm filters? (The 100 Series ones)?

[@ScottDavenport]

Best to confirm with Haida (I didn't use the 100 Series). The M10 is designed for filters of 2mm thickness. If the 100 series filters are also 2mm, it should work. (I use some of my older Formatt-Hitech glass, also 2mm, with the M10 without issue.)

[@luisdiegosalas]

@@ScottDavenport These are 1mm thick. Such as this one: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JAKQ0Y6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I will confirm, thanks.

[@philipculbertson55]

I use the Lee kit (the older version, not the new one recently released) and with my 16-35 and the Lee polarizer, I get edges of the polarizer below 21mm or so. That prevents me using the range of 16-21 with the polarizer. I am glad you mentioned that because that was a big question. I am considering switching just because of the hard vignette below 21mm. I suspect the difference is the fact that the polarizer is near the back on the Haida versus screwed onto the front as with Lee. I may have missed it but I currently use several 100 mm Haida filters and a Lee 100. It appears that they would slip into the Haida foundation. Is that correct?

[@ScottDavenport]

Hi Philip, in theory, yes, other 100mm filters would fit in. I tried my Formatt-Hitech square filters with the Haida M10 and they fit snugly and comfortably. Another photographer commented on this video that the Lee filters (with the foam) were a little tight.

[@daltonrandall4348]

Why on earth are you using the eyedropper on random pixels in your shot? You need to use a color chart or something with a guaranteed neutral and consistent color. To say there is "color shift" because you've clicked on an arbitrary spot in the picture that you think "looks white" is disingenuous when reviewing a product and shows a complete lack of photographic knowledge.