Downsides to using step up rings for filters?

1 year 8 months ago #740764 by Photo Amigo
Hey guys, is there anything wrong with using step up rings when using larger filters on smaller lenses? 


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1 year 8 months ago #740765 by TCav
It could cause vignetting, but not a much as step-down rings.


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1 year 8 months ago #740766 by Razky

Photo Amigo wrote: Hey guys, is there anything wrong with using step up rings when using larger filters on smaller lenses? 

Their use is widespread, more practical than buying various sizes of the same filter. Might be a good idea to go two sizes up for wide angle lenses, but that depends on the lens. Let us know your experiences.


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1 year 8 months ago #740851 by nokk
there's nothing wrong to using step up rings for filters.  cheap step up rings might get stuck to the filters or the camera lens.  look for some rings made of brass.  the same thing could happen with the filter and lens, it's just something you need to be aware of.  all of my filters are 72mm or bigger, and i have a set of step up rings.


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1 year 8 months ago #740981 by Macon B

TCav wrote: It could cause vignetting, but not a much as step-down rings.


You can use smaller filters on a lens?  Would that create a forced circle frame?  Or are you zooming in enough that you skip past the filter creating a smaller frame?


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1 year 8 months ago #741031 by Razky
Macon B wrote:
"You can use smaller filters on a lens?  Would that create a forced circle frame?  Or are you zooming in enough that you skip past the filter creating a smaller frame?"

Mounting a smaller filter via a step-down ring will more than likely result in vignetting. An exception could be a full-frame lens on a crop sensor camera.


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1 year 8 months ago #741034 by TCav

Macon B wrote: You can use smaller filters on a lens?  Would that create a forced circle frame?  Or are you zooming in enough that you skip past the filter creating a smaller frame?


Yes. The amount of vignetting will vary based on the focal length, focus distance and the aperture. With a zoom lens, you might easily be able to get past the vignetting, but for primes you might need to use a very small aperture.


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1 year 7 months ago #741111 by Otto F
Just make sure you screw it on straight so you don't strip the threads if you take on and off frequently.  


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1 year 7 months ago #741223 by Hoss
Man I only have used a step up ring for short time back in the day, I saw no downside other than one additional item I had to buy and screw on and off.   I seem to recall I was using a 77mm filter on 72mm lens.  


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1 year 7 months ago #741355 by Gammill
IMO, it's only downside is that it's something additional you need to buy


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1 year 7 months ago #741409 by Ira Weber
I use one all the time, no downsides in my book. 


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1 year 7 months ago #741613 by CharleyL
For those who love to use filters, you should have a pair of lens wrenches in your bag, to rescue the day when you get a filter that refuses to unscrew. They aren't expensive, will work for several sizes +- your lens size, and you will be very proud of yourself for taking them with you when you save the day and get that filter back off of the lens. They will work on stacked filters too. I usually end up rescuing another photographer with my set of wrenches more often than myself.

Charley

amazon.com/s?k=photo+filter+wrench&crid=..._sb_ss_ts-doa-p_3_13


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