Step-Down Adapter Image Quality

So I got some filters for my lens, 52mm cause they're the least expensive I can use plus that's the size of my kit lens which is the only one wide enough to really need filters. But I thought I'd get a step down adapter for my other lenses which are both 58mm so that they can use the filters too just in case. I'm wondering if the adapter will affect the image quality at all. I doubt it but I thought I'd find out for sure.

You might get some vignetting it the size is a good bit different. . You really need to go the opposite direction. By filters for the largest lens and use step-down adapters for the smaller lenses. That way the filters more than cover the lens opening.

Good thing I started with cheap filters. lol When I get better ones I'll try and remember that. It's 58mm-52mm though so the vignetting shouldn't be that bad.

Adorama Step-Down Adapter Ring 58mm Lens to 52mm Filter Size: Amazon.ca: Camera & Photo

"Cheap filters", in my experience, unless are cheap for a reason. If they don't negatively impact your images then be pleased and buy them in every size - that's one of the reasons they're cheap.

As Don mentioned, step-down is never a great way to go unless you have to because of the potential vignetting. If you want to buy one set of filters for everything then go big, pay a bit more, and then step down to the other filter sizes. Know this, that if you're putting a 77mm filter on a 52mm lens then that's 5 rings to get it down to size and you're likely going to get vignetting that way as well.

You'd be better off using step-up rings rather than step-down rings. If you have a 52mm lens and are using a 58mm filter, you will need a step-up ring. If you have a 58mm lens and want to use a 52mm filter, then you need a step-down ring. The step-down rings are the ones that cause vignetting because they are smaller than the diameter of the lens. If you are using step-up rings, it shouldn't be an issue with the exception of two scenarios:

1. As Jake mentioned, if you start stacking a bunch of rings together (even if they are step-up rings), you run the risk of vignetting.
2. When you use a wide angle lens, you still might get vignetting with a step up ring IF the ring doesn't have a slim profile AND/OR if the filter doesn't have a low profile (aka slim profile). I always try to buy low/slim profile filters and rings whenever possible in case I will be using them on a wide angle lens. One brand of a slim profile step up ring that I bought earlier this year is Sensei from B&H. The quality is terrific, and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

And be sure to use the lens correction feature in post. I've found it helps with some vignetting.

xlDeMoNiClx said:

So I got some filters for my lens, 52mm cause they're the least expensive I can use plus that's the size of my kit lens which is the only one wide enough to really need filters. But I thought I'd get a step down adapter for my other lenses which are both 58mm so that they can use the filters too just in case. I'm wondering if the adapter will affect the image quality at all. I doubt it but I thought I'd find out for sure.

Click to expand...

The step-down approach is of course going the wrong direction, but 2 of the 3 lenses listed actually use 52mm filters anyway. The third, 55-300 mm, likely would not be a problem at the zooms long end (a much more narrow view), and also less if stopped well down. Vignetting is at its worst at the zooms shortest zoom (widest angle of view), and when the aperture is wide open.

You could take test pictures of a blank wall (an evenly illuminated wall) to evaluate how much it vignets, and when (zoom and aperture). Test both with and with filters, you probably see some vignetting at wide angle and wide apertures anyway.

The 50mm uses 52mm filters anyway, but FWIW, it is a FX lens. Use on a DX camera crops off the sides anyway, so a considerable amount of any vignetting would simply already be cropped off.