How do you organize your filters?

**robgski** · 05-02-2020, 10:38 AM - **1 Like**

in the last 30 years, I have collected a variety of good to great quality filters. Some are the round screw on type, and others are the square or rectangular type that slip into a holder. I also have a variety of step up and step down rings.

I'm looking for ideas on how to best organize my filters for both storage at home as well as to take a few with me for a hike or a vacation.

photoptimist · 05-02-2020, 12:02 PM - **3 Likes**

For hiking and travel, where space and weight are major concern, I screw all my filters together. Most of my Pentax & Takumar primes take either 49mm or 52 mm filters. Thus I have a stack fo 49s and a stack of 52s screwed together with a thin step-down ring. To protect the filters on the ends from damage with a couple of throw-away "skylight" filters that came with some of my used lenses.

The result is a cylinder that is smaller than many of the lenses that I carry that can easily fit anyplace a smallish lens can fit.

The only down side is it takes a bit of get unscrewing/rescrewing to extract a particular filter or put it back. Nonetheless, it beats faffing around with bulky filter boxes, sleeves, etc.

mkgd1 · 05-02-2020, 12:04 PM

Sorry I can't be of much help. Apart from the UV filters which I tend to leave stuck on the front of lenses, I mostly forget where I left them. Since I bought my K-3 last fall, I have been putting any small photography related items as I find them, in the K3 box on the top shelf of my closet. I do carry a circular polarizing filter in my camera bag though.
I'll watching this thread for any good suggestions

**gofour3** · 05-02-2020, 12:13 PM

I have two small plastic storage units with pullout drawers that I keep my filters in. (six drawers in total with filters in their original plastic cases marked with a label)

I have one drawer each for 49mm, 52mm, 58mm 67mm, 77mm and 82mm screw-in/bayonet filters. I also have some Pentax gel filter holders and Kodak Wratten gel filters, those are in another drawer.

Note I only shoot film, so filters are a must.

Phil.

Heebie · 05-02-2020, 01:59 PM

I have a case that my square filters (ND's and graduated ND's) came in for those.
For each size of circular filters I own, I have a set of caps... one "back" cap, and one "front cap. Then, the filters screw into each other to make a stack, with the "back" cap at one end, and the "front" cap at the other end. I can take any filter out of the stack, and only need one stack per filter diameter...stores like a pancake lens. If you have a lot of filters.. it'll just store like a lens lens. (I don't have a lot of filters.. circular polarizer, haze, and IR in round filters, 1,2,4,8 and 10 ND filters.)

35mmfilmfan · 05-02-2020, 03:16 PM

My 'Square' filters live in their own pockets in a padded wallet for protection and ease of transportation. Circular Polarising filters also go in their own pockets in another smaller padded case. I also have a selection of other circular filters, screwed together, from which I select one or more as needed for a particular outing, and stepping rings are screwed together. Rings and these other filters go into the 'leather' cases that teleconvertors often get sold in, for when I think I'll need them.

Kobayashi.K · 05-02-2020, 03:36 PM

All my small camera parts [1], including filters and hoods, are stored in Sistema Klip-it 3 litre boxes. These boxes are stackable, transparent for easy viewing, and with labels on one side with info what's inside. When I need more room I just buy a few extra of these boxes (with consequently the same size to keep it systematic) and they are added to the collection which is displayed in a cupboard in my study.

[1] Lenses, caps, batteries, chargers, grips, angle finders, eyepieces, data backs, adapters, extension tube sets, film holders, cables, straps, screws, small tools, SD memory cards, silica gel etc.

Last edited by Kobayashi.K; 05-02-2020 at 03:53 PM.

Roadboat24 · 05-02-2020, 04:34 PM

I have an ugly stepchild collection of filters and step-rings of various sizes, rectangular and screw-in. All carried in an Kinesis Large Filter Pouch, including a Cokin holder

**W412ren** · 05-02-2020, 04:47 PM - **2 Likes**

I use these in different sizes
amazon.com : Fotasy 52mm Metal Filter Stack Caps, Filter Stack 52mm, Aluminum Alloy, Slim Stack fits 52mm UV CPL Fader ND Filter : Camera Filter Stack Caps : Camera & Photo?tag=pentaxforums-20&

**DWS1** · 05-02-2020, 05:16 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by robgski

in the last 30 years, I have collected a variety of good to great quality filters. Some are the round screw on type, and others are the square or rectangular type that slip into a holder. I also have a variety of step up and step down rings.

I'm looking for ideas on how to best organize my filters for both storage at home as well as to take a few with me for a hike or a vacation.

Thanks for asking this question and one I too have been searching for an answer to for years. There are some very good examples being described here that I am going to try.

**ramseybuckeye** · 05-02-2020, 07:35 PM

I store them in their own cases inside of a Think Tank Photo Stuff It Belt Pouch that I bought on a B&H daily deal, I think they were discontinuing them. Anyway, I don't really have that many. I also try to keep the basic sizes like 49 and 55 in each bag I may use. I don't think this is really organized that well, but it's a start, they used to be either in the bag I was using or down in a box with other miscellaneous gear. At least they are in a bag that I'm using or their own storage bag.

stevebrot · 05-02-2020, 09:54 PM

I put them in their cases and toss them into one of four boxes according to class of camera they belong to:

Small format SLR
35mm rangefinder
TLR and other Bay/Series/odd-ball filters/adapters
Large format

Those that are part of active kit for the day are in the same bag as the camera.

Steve

**rogerstg** · 05-03-2020, 07:10 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by W412ren

I use these in different sizes
amazon.com : Fotasy 52mm Metal Filter Stack Caps, Filter Stack 52mm, Aluminum Alloy, Slim Stack fits 52mm UV CPL Fader ND Filter : Camera Filter Stack Caps : Camera & Photo?tag=pentaxforums-20&

I use the same type of threaded caps and stack filters by size. They add very little bulk making it easy to carry.

bdery · 05-04-2020, 05:11 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by photoptimist

For hiking and travel, where space and weight are major concern, I screw all my filters together.

When hiking, I find that speed is more of a concern, since I'm always with other people

I personally use a cheap pocket from Amazon, with space for three filters (I have two of those). Thinness was key here. If size isn't an issue, Think Tank has a superb filter case.

**robgski** · 10-10-2020, 03:36 AM

Originally posted by bdery

If size isn't an issue, Think Tank has a superb filter case.

Thanks, I am using one of those for my larger Cokin filters now.

05-02-2020, 10:38 AM - 1 Like	#1
robgski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,817	How do you organize your filters? in the last 30 years, I have collected a variety of good to great quality filters. Some are the round screw on type, and others are the square or rectangular type that slip into a holder. I also have a variety of step up and step down rings. I'm looking for ideas on how to best organize my filters for both storage at home as well as to take a few with me for a hike or a vacation.

05-02-2020, 09:54 PM	#12
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	I put them in their cases and toss them into one of four boxes according to class of camera they belong to: Small format SLR 35mm rangefinder TLR and other Bay/Series/odd-ball filters/adapters Large format Those that are part of active kit for the day are in the same bag as the camera. Steve

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05-02-2020, 12:02 PM - 3 Likes	#2
photoptimist Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,128	For hiking and travel, where space and weight are major concern, I screw all my filters together. Most of my Pentax & Takumar primes take either 49mm or 52 mm filters. Thus I have a stack fo 49s and a stack of 52s screwed together with a thin step-down ring. To protect the filters on the ends from damage with a couple of throw-away "skylight" filters that came with some of my used lenses. The result is a cylinder that is smaller than many of the lenses that I carry that can easily fit anyplace a smallish lens can fit. The only down side is it takes a bit of get unscrewing/rescrewing to extract a particular filter or put it back. Nonetheless, it beats faffing around with bulky filter boxes, sleeves, etc.

05-02-2020, 12:04 PM	#3
mkgd1 Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Mohave county Arizona Photos: Albums Posts: 1,076	Sorry I can't be of much help. Apart from the UV filters which I tend to leave stuck on the front of lenses, I mostly forget where I left them. Since I bought my K-3 last fall, I have been putting any small photography related items as I find them, in the K3 box on the top shelf of my closet. I do carry a circular polarizing filter in my camera bag though. I'll watching this thread for any good suggestions

05-02-2020, 12:13 PM	#4
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,092	I have two small plastic storage units with pullout drawers that I keep my filters in. (six drawers in total with filters in their original plastic cases marked with a label) I have one drawer each for 49mm, 52mm, 58mm 67mm, 77mm and 82mm screw-in/bayonet filters. I also have some Pentax gel filter holders and Kodak Wratten gel filters, those are in another drawer. Note I only shoot film, so filters are a must. Phil.

05-02-2020, 01:59 PM	#5
Heebie Forum Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Dublin, Ireland Photos: Albums Posts: 79	I have a case that my square filters (ND's and graduated ND's) came in for those. For each size of circular filters I own, I have a set of caps... one "back" cap, and one "front cap. Then, the filters screw into each other to make a stack, with the "back" cap at one end, and the "front" cap at the other end. I can take any filter out of the stack, and only need one stack per filter diameter...stores like a pancake lens. If you have a lot of filters.. it'll just store like a lens lens. (I don't have a lot of filters.. circular polarizer, haze, and IR in round filters, 1,2,4,8 and 10 ND filters.)

05-02-2020, 03:16 PM	#6
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,338	My 'Square' filters live in their own pockets in a padded wallet for protection and ease of transportation. Circular Polarising filters also go in their own pockets in another smaller padded case. I also have a selection of other circular filters, screwed together, from which I select one or more as needed for a particular outing, and stepping rings are screwed together. Rings and these other filters go into the 'leather' cases that teleconvertors often get sold in, for when I think I'll need them.

05-02-2020, 03:36 PM	#7
Kobayashi.K Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 716	All my small camera parts [1], including filters and hoods, are stored in Sistema Klip-it 3 litre boxes. These boxes are stackable, transparent for easy viewing, and with labels on one side with info what's inside. When I need more room I just buy a few extra of these boxes (with consequently the same size to keep it systematic) and they are added to the collection which is displayed in a cupboard in my study. [1] Lenses, caps, batteries, chargers, grips, angle finders, eyepieces, data backs, adapters, extension tube sets, film holders, cables, straps, screws, small tools, SD memory cards, silica gel etc. Last edited by Kobayashi.K; 05-02-2020 at 03:53 PM.

05-02-2020, 04:34 PM	#8
Roadboat24 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 490	I have an ugly stepchild collection of filters and step-rings of various sizes, rectangular and screw-in. All carried in an Kinesis Large Filter Pouch, including a Cokin holder

05-02-2020, 04:47 PM - 2 Likes	#9
W412ren Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Fareham, Hampshire Photos: Albums Posts: 570	I use these in different sizes amazon.com : Fotasy 52mm Metal Filter Stack Caps, Filter Stack 52mm, Aluminum Alloy, Slim Stack fits 52mm UV CPL Fader ND Filter : Camera Filter Stack Caps : Camera & Photo?tag=pentaxforums-20&

05-02-2020, 05:16 PM - 1 Like	#10
DWS1 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Arkansas, USA Posts: 1,169	Originally posted by robgski in the last 30 years, I have collected a variety of good to great quality filters. Some are the round screw on type, and others are the square or rectangular type that slip into a holder. I also have a variety of step up and step down rings. I'm looking for ideas on how to best organize my filters for both storage at home as well as to take a few with me for a hike or a vacation. Thanks for asking this question and one I too have been searching for an answer to for years. There are some very good examples being described here that I am going to try.

05-02-2020, 07:35 PM	#11
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,295	I store them in their own cases inside of a Think Tank Photo Stuff It Belt Pouch that I bought on a B&H daily deal, I think they were discontinuing them. Anyway, I don't really have that many. I also try to keep the basic sizes like 49 and 55 in each bag I may use. I don't think this is really organized that well, but it's a start, they used to be either in the bag I was using or down in a box with other miscellaneous gear. At least they are in a bag that I'm using or their own storage bag.

05-03-2020, 07:10 PM - 1 Like	#13
rogerstg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 1,168	Originally posted by W412ren I use these in different sizes amazon.com : Fotasy 52mm Metal Filter Stack Caps, Filter Stack 52mm, Aluminum Alloy, Slim Stack fits 52mm UV CPL Fader ND Filter : Camera Filter Stack Caps : Camera & Photo?tag=pentaxforums-20& I use the same type of threaded caps and stack filters by size. They add very little bulk making it easy to carry.

05-04-2020, 05:11 AM - 1 Like	#14
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,362	Originally posted by photoptimist For hiking and travel, where space and weight are major concern, I screw all my filters together. When hiking, I find that speed is more of a concern, since I'm always with other people I personally use a cheap pocket from Amazon, with space for three filters (I have two of those). Thinness was key here. If size isn't an issue, Think Tank has a superb filter case.

10-10-2020, 03:36 AM	#15
robgski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,817 Original Poster	Originally posted by bdery If size isn't an issue, Think Tank has a superb filter case. Thanks, I am using one of those for my larger Cokin filters now.