MindShift Gear Filter Hive Review
MindShift Gear Filter Hive Review: The Filter Case That Holds Everything (Almost)
I was crouched behind a dry stone wall on Whiteless Pike, trying to juggle three different graduated ND filters whilst the golden hour light changed by the second. The 0.6ND Medium Grad was somewhere in the grass, the 0.9ND Hard Grad was sliding down the fell side, and I’d already dropped my 1.2ND Medium Grad twice trying to work out which filter I actually needed. Meanwhile, my lens cloth was getting soaked, the filter threads were collecting grit, and the shot I’d hiked two hours to capture was disappearing before my eyes.
That’s when I realised my filter storage system – if you could call shoving everything into various trouser pockets a “system” – needed serious help. Fortunately, my wife had already spotted the problem and surprised me with the MindShift Gear Filter Hive for my birthday. At £68, it’s not exactly cheap, but it’s transformed my landscape photography workflow from chaotic fumbling to organised efficiency.
- Fits six flat graduated neutral density filters up to 4×6” (100×150 mm) and six round filters up to 82 mm diameter, incl…
- External pouch: 8.1” W x 5.3” H x 3.9” D (20.5 x 13.5 x 10 cm), Removable filter insert: 7.3” W x 4.3” H x 3.1” D (18.5 …
From Pockets to Proper Organisation
I’ll be honest – I’d never have spent £68 on a filter case myself. It seemed steep for what’s essentially a fancy pencil case, and I’d convinced myself that trouser pockets and the occasional lens pouch were adequate for my Lee Filters LEE100 system. After all, how hard could it be to keep track of a few pieces of glass?
The reality was rather different. Every shoot involved the same frustrating routine: arriving at a location, unpacking filters from various pockets, trying to remember which was which in fading light, inevitably dropping something in the grass, and spending half my time cleaning fingerprints and grit off expensive glass rather than actually taking photographs.
What arrived was a revelation in practical design. This isn’t just a case – it’s a complete filter management system that addresses nearly every pain point I’d experienced with landscape photography workflow.
What Makes the Filter Hive Special
It holds everything I own in one place. Six slots for large rectangular filters (perfect for my Lee 100x150mm grads and ND filters) plus six more for round filters up to 82mm diameter. After years of scattered storage across multiple pouches and pockets, having every filter in one organised location feels revolutionary.
- Fits six flat graduated neutral density filters up to 4×6” (100×150 mm) and six round filters up to 82 mm diameter, incl…
- External pouch: 8.1” W x 5.3” H x 3.9” D (20.5 x 13.5 x 10 cm), Removable filter insert: 7.3” W x 4.3” H x 3.1” D (18.5 …
Colour-coded organisation that actually works. Each rectangular filter slot has a different coloured tab – red, green, blue, yellow, orange, and purple. Sounds gimmicky until you’re fumbling for filters in twilight conditions. After a few weeks of use, muscle memory kicks in: red tab for the 0.6ND, green for the 0.9ND, blue for the Big Stopper. It’s surprisingly effective.
Straps to the tripod perfectly. The grab handle with quick-release buckle hangs brilliantly from the Benro Tortoise tripod leg, providing instant access to filters without having to dig through the Lowepro PhotoSport Backpack PRO 70L AW III. It’s become an essential part of my shooting setup.
Removable insert for flexibility. The accordion-style filter holder lifts out of the main case entirely, which means you can use it independently inside your camera bag. Perfect for shorter walks when you don’t need the full kit.
Build quality that inspires confidence. This is MindShift Gear, so the construction is exemplary. Strong stitching, robust zippers, and materials that feel like they’ll last decades. The internal padding protects filters from impact, whilst the soft lining prevents scratching.
Weather resistance that works. The exterior fabric has a DWR coating that sheds water effectively. I’ve used it in proper Lake District weather, and whilst it’s not waterproof, it provides sufficient protection for short exposure to rain and moisture.
The Honest Limitations
£68 is genuinely expensive for a filter case. You can buy basic pouches for much less, but none offer the organisation, durability, and functionality of the Filter Hive. You’re paying for MindShift Gear quality, which is reflected in the price.
No proper space for the Lee polariser. This is the biggest frustration – the Lee Filters polariser is massive compared to standard circular filters, and it simply doesn’t fit properly in the round filter slots. I still have to carry it separately, which defeats the point of having everything in one place.
Size might surprise newcomers. At 8.1″ x 5.3″ x 3.9″, it’s more substantial than expected. It’s not huge, but it’s definitely not pocket-sized either. If you’re used to cramming filters into trouser pockets, the dedicated case approach requires adjustment.
Single zip design can be frustrating. Unlike some cases that open fully, the Filter Hive has one main zip that only opens one way. Accessing filters at the back sometimes requires removing other filters first.
Real-World Performance
- Fits six flat graduated neutral density filters up to 4×6” (100×150 mm) and six round filters up to 82 mm diameter, incl…
- External pouch: 8.1” W x 5.3” H x 3.9” D (20.5 x 13.5 x 10 cm), Removable filter insert: 7.3” W x 4.3” H x 3.1” D (18.5 …
The Filter Hive has become an integral part of my landscape photography setup. During a recent camping trip with the MSR Access 2 tent in the Yorkshire Dales, I was changing between filters constantly as clouds raced across the limestone landscape. Having everything organised and accessible made the difference between capturing the shot and missing it entirely.
The tripod attachment is genuinely brilliant. Instead of repeatedly walking back to the camera bag or trying to balance filters on rocks, everything hangs conveniently at waist height. During evening shoots at Buttermere, I can cycle through multiple filters as the light changes, each one returned safely to its designated slot.
For winter photography sessions in challenging conditions, the weather resistance matters. The Filter Hive has protected my expensive Lee filters from sleet and snow whilst remaining functional even when ice formed on the exterior. The robust construction handles being dropped in snow and knocked against rocks without damage.
When wild camping with the Rab Mythic 600 sleeping bag and Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm sleeping mat, the Filter Hive packs efficiently alongside the Jetboil Flash cooking system, making excellent use of available space in the camera bag.
Alternative Options Worth Considering
Gomatic Peter McKinnon Filter Case (£50-60): Hard-shell EVA molded case that holds six round filters up to 82mm in individual elastic mesh pockets. More robust protection than the Filter Hive for circular filters, but no space for rectangular filters at all. Good if you only use round filters, but useless for anyone with a Lee system setup.
- FILTER HOLDER: Need some extra filters on hand? The Gomatic Filter Case can hold up to 6 filters securely, keeping dust …
- STAY ORGANIZED: Soft elastic mesh pockets for all your filters, lens covers, or caps and includes a pocket to store clea…
- PROTECTED: Spend more time getting the perfect shot with the protective EVA molded case ensuring your filters will be sa…
Lowepro Filter Pouch (£45-55): Budget option that holds four rectangular filters. Much cheaper but offers minimal protection and no organisation beyond basic separation. Build quality isn’t suitable for serious fieldwork.
- GET ORGANIZED: a compact filter organizer with card sleeves for 10-sheet filters and interior pockets for 2-round filter…
- UPDATED TO INCLUDE RECYCLED FABRICS: this filter case is made of 77Percent recycled fabrics (including all fabrics, webb…
- TOP PROTECTION: each sheet filter is protected in a non-scratch card sleeve with a dedicated external pocket for filter …
MindShift Gear Filter Nest (£35-40): Smaller sibling that holds 4 rectangular filters without circular filter capability. Good for minimal kits, but the lack of circular filter storage makes the full Filter Hive better value for most users.
- High quality product and reliable material
- This product is designed for both professionals and enthusiasts.
- Package dimensions: 13.97 L x 3.81 H x 13.97 W (Zm)
The Honest Verdict
After two years of regular use in proper English weather conditions, the MindShift Gear Filter Hive has proved one of my most valuable gear purchases. It’s transformed my workflow from chaos to organisation, allowing me to focus on composition and light rather than hunting for filters.
The £68 price tag is steep, but when you consider that a single scratched filter can cost more than the case, it’s worthwhile insurance. More importantly, it’s workflow enhancement that improves the actual photography experience.
The major frustration is the Lee polariser situation – for a case designed for serious filter users, the inability to properly accommodate Lee’s oversized polariser is a significant oversight. I still have to carry it separately, which undermines the “everything in one place” promise.
Would I recommend it? Yes, despite the price and polariser issue. For anyone using multiple filters regularly, the Filter Hive represents genuine workflow improvement. Just be aware that at £68, it’s an expensive solution to what should be a simpler problem, and you’ll still need separate storage for that massive Lee polariser.
It’s the filter case that finally makes sense – mostly. The wife chose well, even if my wallet disagrees with the price tag.
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