The convenience of magnetic filters is undeniable. They allow easy swapping or stacking of circular polarizer and neutral density filters. Plus one set of filters can be used on different lenses equipped with magnetic adapters, with step-down rings if necessary. 82mm fits my biggest lens and I can use the same set on my 77mm, 67mm, and 62mm lenses with the appropriate magnetic filter adapter. There are a variety of manufacturers making magnetic filters and the ones I’ve tried have all been excellent.
But identifying one filter from another, especially when they are in the case, is challenging since the filter IDs are usually on the front or back, not the visible edge. Filter cases like the Mindshift Filter Nest have color-coded pockets which can help organize different filters, neutral density intensities for example. But it relies on placing the filter back in the proper pocket after switching. This practice in the field can be inconvenient because the filter case is often not handy.
Recently, filter manufacturers are providing a solution by making filter sets with color perimeter bands that help identify the filter.
- Maven: this is the first color-coded brand I saw, reviewed by one of my favorite photography YouTubers, Nick Page. It started as a Kickstarter and is now available on indiegogo.
- Kase: my filter of choice (Wolverine 82mm series), has also been reviewed favorably by many YouTube photographers, and released their Kase Revolution series with color-coding.
Hopefully, other manufacturers like Freewell, Haida, ICE and Nisi will produce filters with this simple but handy color-coding.
I seriously considered buying a new color-coded filter set since identifying the filter I’m handling slows the process. But they are not cheap and since I already have a high-quality set of neutral density & CPL filters. I decided to color-code them myself as others have. I’ve heard some photographers use nail polish but applying several colors by brush sounded like a potentially messy project.
I thought graphic arts tape could be an viable option so I bought 2mm color tape from Amazon for $13 (see photos below). They are designed for fingernail art so I thought they’d have pretty strong adhesive. But the filter edges, particularly on the Kase Wolverine magnetic filters, are very narrow and knurled. Not a very smooth surface for the metallic tape to adhere. I applied silver tape to one CPL and it worked but its permanence was questionable.
Next I considered Testors Model Paint (~$20) since it’s similar to nail polish and comes in distinctive color sets. There is even fluorescent colors available but, like nail polish, application would probably be messy.
So I decided on oil-base paint pens – there are a diverse variety of paint pens with different tips sizes. I avoided water-based acrylics since I wanted waterproof, permanent opaque ink. So I bought Zeyar Oil-based medium tipped paint pens from Amazon for ~$20. Application was very easy although two coats is necessary for the best appearance. I applied one thicker coat, going back over what I painted a few times to smooth out the color. I think this is the best solution next to buying a new set of filters. Only time will tell how long the color ink will last but it looks very promising.
If you are buying your first set of magnetic filters then buying color-coded magnetic filters from Kase or Maven would be an excellent option. But if, like me, you already have a great set of filters that are working for you. Then save yourself hundreds of dollars and try the $20 ($13 for a basic color set) paint-pen color coding idea. Not as professional looking as store-bought color-coded filters but just as effective. And it doesn’t change or affect the optical quality of the filter glass.
This is how I used the many colors of the 24-color Zeyar set. Initially I considered going lighter to darker (white, yelllow…red) for my seven ND filters. But I opted to keep my favorite ultra-thin Kase Wolverine identifiable from the cheaper filters:
- Kase Wolverine 82mm Magnetic Filters
- CPL – Silver
- ND8 – Orange
- ND64 – Blue
- ND1000 – Red
- Freewell ND64/CPL combo filter – Gold
- Kase Skyeye 82mm Magnetic Filters
- UV – White
- CPL – Silver
- ICE & Newer Misc Filters
- UV – White
- ND4 – Yellow
- ND16 – Pink
- ND32 – Green
I did a non-scientific filter test between the Kase Wolverine, Kase Skyeye, ICE, & Marumi filters to see how the cheaper brands compare optically to higher-priced filters. They were all pretty good.
I bought some Neewer magnetic filters primarily for the magnetic adapter rings and as UV lens protection. I mount the UVs when storing my lenses or when photographing under wet or sandy conditions. The magnetic UVs lets me remove the filter quickly, take a photo, then remount the filter between shots to protect the lens. I can even use them to keep the CPL &/or ND filters clean between shots.