The Haida Filter Bag Vs. The MindShift Filter Hive
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I have added the Haida Filter Bag to my kit in the last couple of months. So how is this bag holding up? How does it compare to the MindShift Filter Hive I’ve used and loved for years? That’s what this article is all about.
The Haida Filter Bag
The Haida Filter Bag is a durable, compact filter case made for your 100mm and 150mm glass filters. All 9 slots in the bag are for large filters. They can hold Haida’s drop-in filters too, like those used with the M10 Filter System. The features of this bag:
9 nonabrasive filter slots to hold filters measuring 100x100mm or 100x150mm
Solid build construction, durable stitching, and strong zippers
Attach to a belt system or use the loop strap to attach to a larger bag or drape over your tripod
Both the inner and outer pouch are weather-resistant. The inner pouch is removable for each cleaning.
The Haida M10 Filter Bag
The inner pouch of the Haida M10 Filter Bag
Haida M10 Filter bag carrying M10 drop-in filters and 100x100mm glass filters.
Comparison Of The Haida Filter Bag And The MindShift Filter Hive
The Haida M10 Filter Bag and the MindShift Filter Hive share more similarities than differences. The overall footprint of the Haida bag is a little larger than the MindShift. However, the inner pouch of both bags is about the same size. I have exchanged the inner pouch between the two outer casings of the bags without a problem. Other areas these two bags are more or less equal:
The build quality of both bags is excellent (zippers, material, inner pouch and outer casing)
Both filter bags can be attached to a belt loop system or affixed to a larger bag or tripod using a strap and latch
Both filter bags have zipper pouches to hold accessories (memory cards, lens wipes, batteries, etc.)
So what is different? I will give a nod to MindShift for having a flap that covers the zipper access to the outer accessory pouch. This provides an extra layer of protection from weather and the elements.
The fundamental difference is in what each bag is designed to carry:
Haida Filter Bag: 9 slots for 100x100mm or 100x150mm filters
MindShift Filter Hive: 5 slots for 100x100mm or 100x150mm filters, 6 slots for circular screw-in filters
What each bag carries is your key purchasing decision. If your filters are all square or rectangular glass, or M10 drop-in filters, get the Haida Filter Bag. If you have a mix of rectangular glass and screw-in filters, the Filter Hive is a better choice for you.
The Haida M10 is tailor made for large sized filters.
The MindShift Filter Hive is balancing act between large format filters and smaller screw-in filters.
What Bag Do I Use?
I use both the Haida M10 Filter Bag and the MindShift Filter Hive. Each serves a different use for my photography and videography.
For my landscape photography, I use the Haida M10 system and have a lot of M10 drop-ins and a few 100x100mm filters. As my filter set has grown, so has. my need for more filter slots. The Haida M10 Filter Bag now carries all the filters I use for my still work.
Conversely, for my video work, I use a set of Haida screw-in and magnetic filters. The smaller slots in the Filter Hive provide a snugger fit for those filters. I have used the MindShift Filter Hive for years (and still rave about it). It continues to rank high asl one of the best purchases I have ever made for my photography. And I continue to use it. It’s now repurposed as my video filter carrier.
Pricing
The Haida M10 Filter Bag retails around US$50 and the MindShift Filter Hive around US$60.
Conclusion
I like my new Haida M10 Filter Bag very much. I’m glad I have it. I continue to love my Filter Hive. Whichever filter bag you get you will be happy with it.
My advice is simple - take stock of the filters you have or plan to add to your photo kit. Know what you need to carry. Then get the filter bag that will best accommodate your gear.
