Anybody uses Step-Up Ring for Filter? Your Opinions Appreciated!

Dear All,

I am wondering your opinions for using Step-Up Ring.

I have various diameter lenses, 58mm 72mm and 77mm. Under some circumstances, I need to use the same filters in all three lenses. Instead buy some low quality filters for all three, I am considering purchase some good quality filters for the 77mm lens, and the 58mm and 72mm use Step-Up ring for the same 77mm filter.
Do you think this is a good idea?
Will it decrease the picture quality?
Thanks in advanced!

Low quality filters may introduce distortion and/or reflections.

A step down ring my prohibit the use of a lens hood on some lenses.

To my students I recomend the Cokin System. All you need is rings for the different size lens and a lens hood and the adapter to take the different square filters that Cokin make.

mak1515 said:

Dear All,

I am wondering your opinions for using Step-Up Ring.
I have various diameter lenses, 58mm 72mm and 77mm. Under some
circumstances, I need to use the same filters in all three lenses.
Instead buy some low quality filters for all three, I am considering
purchase some good quality filters for the 77mm lens, and the 58mm
and 72mm use Step-Up ring for the same 77mm filter.
Do you think this is a good idea?
Will it decrease the picture quality?
Thanks in advanced!
--

Click to expand...

It is a one approach. I have a 1980's 72mm PL filter on a 52mm step up ring for my Kodak P880. In this case, the step up ring was not cheap (after all, it's only a piece of plastic but I guess 52-72mm is not common) and I paid for my filter in 1980.

HOWEVER,

1. I can no longer put on the lens hood or the original lens cap.

2. The filter is bulky

3. If I had to buy a new filter, a 72mm filter is more expensive than a 52mm filter - I must have a need for the 72mm otherwise I am wasting money if I just do it because of the theory.

4. For some small step ups, the extensions of the lips causes vignetting. I found that out when I put a circpl on a 52-55mm set up.

Cokin are another way but again, you have a bulky square and plastic filter that you have to pay extra for the size, the hood no longer fits. I have Cokin also.

From another forum member:

"Life is full of compromises"

--



Ananda
http://anandasim.blogspot.com/

I do that with my circ polarizing filter. Buying a full range of those (or solid ND filters, etc.) to fit 77mm, 72mm, 67mm and perhaps a smaller lens or two gets pricey. It does mean the regular hood may not fit and stack up might be too much if multiple rings needed. Otherwise, I don't see why it would impact optical quality.

nt=No Text

OK, 58 to 72 is 6.95--------58 to 77 is 6.95 collapsable rubber lens hoods around 8.95. So if you want 58 to 72 6.95 + 72 to 77 6.95 = 13.95 + 2 hoods at 8.95= 22.90. there you go also there are step down rings as well.

If you use quality filters you should be fine.

no i dont

only if you attempt to use an assessory of a smaller diameter than the lens.

It is a good idea and a much better idea than buying cheap filters for your lenses. It would not impact on image quality.