Filter step rings

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Bendmac

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Greetings, all!

Anyone have any advice/opinions on using step rings for filters?

Currently shooting a Nikon D7500. I have an f/1.8 35mm prime that is 52 mm. I also have newer edition 18-300mm "walkaround" which is 77mm. I'd much rather make the investment in ONE good quality CPF and ONE circular ND filter rather than buying cheaper versions in two different sizes.

If I buy both filters in 77mm and then get a
52 > 77mm step ring, appears I get the best of both worlds. Any issues using those 77mm filters on the 35 prime? (Obviously wouldn't work the other way around...)

Hope to meet some fellow inmates at the Steve-o-rama meet and greet on Sunday!

Cheers...
 
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Bendmac said:
. Any issues using those 77mm filters on the 35 prime?
Click to expand...
No issues optically at all. Step up rings work fine and if anything filter vignetting is reduced for the smaller diameter lenses that use the step up rings not that vignetting would typically be a problem with your 35mm lens.

The only issues with step up rings is a bit of extra hassle fishing out the filter and the ring instead of just a properly sized filter and of course the normal lens hood won't fit with the step up ring in place though you can get an inexpensive 77mm threaded alloy lens hood and screw it into the front of the filter. That approach is particularly helpful when using a CPL as you can get some shading for light sources in front of the camera but still rotate the CPL with the screw on hood attached. Of course you can just go without a lens hood which works fine if the light is more or less behind your position.
 
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One step ring caveat - most step rings are constructed of aluminum like many lens filter rings.

If aluminum step rings are tightened too much they may bind up in the mating threads making them difficult to remove - possibly even causing thread galling. Brass is better but I couldn't find step rings in brass. Lens filters with brass rings yes.

Gently tighten the rings until they just stop turning - don't crank down on them.
 
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I've been using one filter size and step rings for a long time and will continue to use them. Yes they can get stuck, but you learn to deal with it. You do have to be aware of the depth/size of the ring when using a wide angle lens. They can interfere with lens hoods on smaller lenses. Your mileage will vary, but they are very useful. I also love the Xume rings.
 
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I use step up rings all the time. The advice already posted is excellent advice. I will add one additional piece of advice. Consider getting a CPL wider than your widest lens diameter. For example, for a 77mm lens get a 82 mm CPL and then get step up ringss from 52 to 82mm.

Why? to eliminate any chance of vignetting when you add a 77mm CPL filter onto a wide angle lens that takes a 77mm filter.

And if you decide to go mirrorless, some of those new Nikon S lenses take 82mm filters.

I just got some step up rings made by Nisi that work with my Nisi V6 holder.
 
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I have been doing this for a few years now. Like others have mentioned, lens hoods don’t work but in most cases it isn’t as easy to use the hood with a CPL anyway. Also, like @NA4M mentioned, most are aluminum and can become difficult to remove from the filters or other stepping rings if using multiple rings. Since I have only needed to buy for two lenses, i have bought the Breakthrough Photography step up rings which are made of brass and only require one ring to make the step (62 directly to 77). They are over priced, but the convenience won me over.
 
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NA4M said:
One step ring caveat - most step rings are constructed of aluminum like many lens filter rings.

If aluminum step rings are tightened too much they may bind up in the mating threads making them difficult to remove - possibly even causing thread galling. Brass is better but I couldn't find step rings in brass. Lens filters with brass rings yes.

Gently tighten the rings until they just stop turning - don't crank down on them.
Click to expand...


Breakthrought makes rings in brass https://breakthrough.photography/products/step-up-ring
 
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