NiSi Wizard v Silence Corner Atoll 

Introduction

Since late 2022, we’ve been using the Silence Corner Atoll lens rotating collar as a replacement for the L-bracket on our Sony A7Riii cameras. We were impressed with the accessory’s performance after their successful Kickstarter campaign and have since written a review on the product. However, we were surprised when NiSi released a product that was almost identical a few months later. Although there are some differences between the two, they ultimately serve the same purpose. Since the products are so similar, we have written this post as a comparison.

During our research for this post, we also discovered a comparable lens collar system that is currently being offered by SmallRig. While the rotating ring remains the same as the Wizard and Atoll products, the SmallRig product is uniquely designed to attach to the base of the camera in a similar fashion to an L-bracket. We find this product quite intriguing because it features a button that makes depressing the Lens Release more convenient, however, the product is not compatible with our Sony A7R III camera bodies.

So, what is a lens rotating collar?

Photographers often rely on lens collars when using telephoto lenses with tripods to balance the weight. However, lens collars are typically specific to certain lenses. The NiSi Wizard and Silence Corner Atoll products offer a more versatile solution, as they can be attached to the camera body and used with most lenses. This means that you can enjoy the convenience of a lens collar for most of your lenses. These lens collars allow for free rotation of the camera and lens, with clicks at 0°, 90°, and 180°, unlike an L-bracket which only has two fixed positions on the tripod. With this free rotation feature, you have the flexibility to select any angle between 0° and 180°.

When would you use a lens-rotating collar?

This product is particularly advantageous for landscape photographers, although anyone who uses a tripod for photography can benefit from its usefulness. 

We have all faced the challenge of adjusting camera orientation in low-light conditions or during night photography. However, there are products available that can simplify this process for you. With these products, you can effortlessly change the orientation without having to remove the camera from the tripod head.

If you’re currently using an L-bracket, the lens rotating collar can serve as a permanent replacement option. Essentially, both the L-bracket and these products achieve the same outcome, but the latter offers a faster and more efficient solution for adjusting camera orientation.

Camera & Lens Compatibility

It’s important to check the compatibility of your camera and lens beforehand. See the info and links below. Please note: the links for the NiSi Wizard will take you to the NiSi USA site as it is more comprehensive than the NiSi Global site.

Atoll Lens compatibility Atoll is available in three models – Atoll S, Atoll C, Atoll D, and Atoll X.

Silence Corner Atoll S – This model is suitable for most Sony mirrorless cameras. The inner diameter is 63.5mm and therefore will not work with lenses with a larger diameter than 63.5mm. For some camera models, you may require a heightening plate. Available in Silver or Black.

Silence Corner Atoll C – This model is suitable for some other mirrorless cameras. The inner diameter is 75mm and therefore will not work with lenses with a larger diameter than 75mm. For some camera models, you may require a heightening plate. Available in Silver or Black.

Silence Corner Atoll D – This model is suitable for DSLR cameras. The inner diameter is 75mm and therefore will not work with lenses with a diameter larger than 75mm. For some camera models, you may require a heightening plate. Available in Silver or Black.

Silence Corner Atoll X – This model is suitable for cameras using an L-bracket, camera cage or battery grip. The inner diameter is 90mm and therefore will not work with lenses with a diameter larger than 90mm. Available in Black.

NiSi Wizard Model W-63. This model is designed for mirrorless Sony cameras. The outer diameter of the lens mount must be smaller than the inner diameter of the WIZARD. The inner diameter of the NiSi Wizard W-63 is 63mm – lenses with a larger outer mount diameter than 63mm cannot be mounted and may require the W-72. To check lens compatibility, measure around the lens near the lens mount to ensure it’s less than 63mm.

NiSi Wizard Model W-72. This model is designed for mirrorless Fujifilm X, Leica SL, Nikon Z, Olympus OM, and Panasonic cameras. The outer diameter of the lens mount must be smaller than the inner diameter of the WIZARD. The inner diameter of the NiSi Wizard W-72 is 72mm – lenses with a larger outer mount diameter than 72mm should use the W-82. To check lens compatibility, measure around the lens near the lens mount to ensure it’s less than 72mm.

NiSi Wizard Model W-82D. This model is designed for DSLR cameras. The outer diameter of the lens mount must be smaller than the inner diameter of the WIZARD. The inner diameter of the NiSi Wizard W-82D is 82mm – lenses with a larger outer mount diameter than 82mm cannot be mounted. To check lens compatibility, measure around the lens near the lens mount to ensure it’s less than 82mm.

NiSi Wizard Model W-82M. This model is designed for the mirrorless Canon R series. Lens compatibility is the same as above.

VERY IMPORTANT: Make sure to check the compatibility of your camera model and lenses that work with the Atoll & Wizard. Also, it is recommended that you use the lens collar on heavier lenses rather than the Atoll & Wizard, so if your lens already has its own lens collar, then use it. Both Silence Corner & NiSi recommends that any lens over 200mm or heavier than about 1 kg / 2.2 lbs should use its own lens collar.

Comparison of Features

There are only a few differences between the original Silence Corner Atoll and the NiSi Wizard. As the Atoll was the first to be released it gave NiSi the opportunity of improving the product with a few design tweaks. Both products have things we like and dislike. If they were both combined into one product they would be nearly perfect.

1. Colour – The Atoll is available in Silver (silver knob) and Black (silver knob). The Wizard is available only in Silver with a Gold knob.
2. Tripod Plate – The Wizard tripod plate is rectangular shaped and slightly longer than the silver Atoll, however, the black version of the Atoll has been shortened to the size of an Arca Swiss plate. This allows the plate to be inserted easier into an Arca Swiss tripod head. The longer plate on the Wizard is easier to adjust in an Arca Swiss tripod clamp, as sometimes when rotating the camera it can be impeded by the tripod adjustment knobs. Having the longer plate will allow you to slide the plate a little further back allowing clearance of the tripod knobs. Both products will allow you to also attach an Arca Swiss plate to the bottom.
3. Camera Plate – The plate that attaches to the base of the camera is almost the same size on both products, however, different shapes. The Atoll has been designed to separate the plate from the ring section allowing the plate attached to the base of the camera to be used with any Arca Swiss tripod clamp. This will allow you to still mount the base on a tripod when using lenses that are not compatible with the Atoll. If you use Peak Design products the Atoll base will also attach to the Capture Clip. The Atoll also has the bonus of an attachment point at the rear of the plate. This is extremely handy for attaching a camera strap. The Wizard does not have the option to separate, however, they have mounted a magnetic Allen Key to the bottom of the plate that can be extremely handy when adjusting the positioning. Unfortunately, NiSi didn’t put a great deal of thought into the design of the camera plate.
4. Lens Ring – The lens ring is identical on both products with only one exception. The Wizard has a rubber ring inserted on the inside of the ring. For lenses that are a little tight in the ring, this will ensure that the lens will not be damaged by any abrasion of the ring. This is a nice touch.

Attaching the Atoll & Wizard

Both the Atoll and Wizard are a bit awkward to attach. Personally, we don’t think they are the most user-friendly products to be frequently removed and attached to the camera. Like the L-bracket, we decided to keep the Atoll permanently attached to our camera replacing our L-bracket.

Interestingly, due to the limited space for your fingers on the camera handgrip, NiSi recommends using the Wizard only for tripod-mounted usage. But to be honest, if we could only use this attachment on a tripod, we would not use it at all. We have been using the Atoll for many months and have never found it to be a problem using handheld. As a matter of fact, we have found that the base provides a better grip for the hands than an L-bracket. For detailed instructions on how to attach the Atoll and Wizard, we suggest reading our separate review of the Atoll. Alternatively, watch the videos below.

Using both the Atoll and Wizard on a tripod is no different than using a standard Arca Swiss quick-release plate on the bottom of your camera or an L-bracket. However, you will notice that the attachment plate will slide into the tripod’s Arca Swiss clamp sideways as the tripod attachment plate on the Atoll and Wizard is too long to be inserted conventionally. The black version of the Atoll, however, has a shortened tripod attachment plate and will insert into an Arca Swiss clamp in a conventional manner similar to an L-bracket or a quick-release plate.

When the camera is being handheld you may want to consider rotating the Atoll so that the attachment plate is positioned to the side or even the top position, whichever is less intrusive to your handholding preference. Personally, we leave it at the bottom of the lens as the 90deg position hinders access to the controls on the left side of our Sony 24-105 f/4 lens. Regardless, the option is always available.

Please Note: If your tripod does not utilize the Arca Swiss attachment method, you can still attach your quick-release plate to the Atoll, just as you would typically attach it to the base of your camera. This will eliminate the need to tilt the ball head of the tripod to one side when taking portrait shots, which can cause instability.

CONS

• Only available in 1 colour
• The camera attachment plate is not Arca Swiss compliant
• The lens ring does not separate from the camera attachment plate
• No attachment point for a camera strap
• Minimal space between camera handgrip and  product
• Difficult to access lens release button on some cameras

CONS

• No recessed rubber on the inside of the lens ring
• Allen Key is not attached to the product
• Minimal space between camera handgrip and  product
• Difficult to access the lens release button on some cameras
• More expensive

Conclusion

Both the Silence Corner Atoll and NiSi Wizard are both excellent products. At the end of the day, both will provide you with the same result. There really isn’t that much difference between the two, however, there are a couple of features that the Atoll really shines. For us, the base plate that attaches to the camera is a clear winner. The base gives you more options to connect to your tripod and other accessories such as the Peak Design Capture Clip. On the other hand, if you are a photographer that wants to use Magic Arms to connect other accessories then the Wizard is a great choice. 

The only downside for photographers may be the limited space between the camera grip and the Atoll/Wizard, however, if the camera is held in the correct manner with most of the weight being held under the lens by the left hand then this should not be an issue for many lenses. On shorter lenses, the right hand takes most of the weight and this is where there may be an issue if you have large fingers.

Lastly, the retail price of the Atoll is significantly more than that of the Wizard. So if you are on a budget then the Wizard is a great option.

Both are fantastic products that, in our opinion, would benefit any photographer who wants a quick and easy way to change camera orientation when using a tripod.

Price

At the time of writing this post, the prices are as follows. These are online prices and you may be better off checking prices with a retailer in your region. If you want to purchase the Silence Corner Atoll directly from Silence Corner then click on the banner below and use the coupon code ‘widescenes10‘ for a 10% discount at checkout. The prices for the NiSi Wizard are based on the NiSi USA site. If you have an Australian postal address then contact us for the best price on both products –

Australia

As mentioned above, if you are living in Australia please contact us for the best price as we are resellers with the distributors of both products. Delivery can only be made to Australian postal addresses.

Rest of World

Check with your nearest stockist or purchase from Adorama with the links above or from Silence Corner directly.