Step-up Ring vs Step-down Ring

Nero

Senior Member
Looking to get good CPL and ND filters soon and I'm wondering which ring is better. The filters are mainly going to be used on my 18-105mm kit lens which has a 67mm thread I believe and the other two lenses have 58mm if I'm not mistaken and while it might not happen often I'd like to be able to use the same filters on the other two lenses as well. So I'm wondering if I should get smaller filters and a step-up ring or vice-versa if I don't want to affect image quality.

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Fred Kingston

Senior Member
You need the biggest filter, otherwise stepping up a smaller filter on a larger lens will cause vignetting...

A larger filter on a smaller lens is fine...
 

J-see

Senior Member
You always buy a filter for your widest lens and then use step-down for the smaller ones. The other way around would lead to the filter obstructing the lens itself. A filter larger than the lens is no problem.

I type too slow it seems. What Fred said. ;)
 

Nero

Senior Member
Makes sense. Been reading an article about this and it says the same thing. So 67mm filters and a 67-58mm step-down Ring it is then.

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J-see

Senior Member
If you plan on another lens in the future it might make sense to already buy a filter that size. It saves you the money of having to buy a second one in such a case. Many wides are 77mm.

One more step-down ring is way cheaper.
 

Nero

Senior Member
My kit lens is wide enough for me. Only lens I would see myself getting is a macro and that won't be anytime soon. I'm satisfied with what I have.

Now I just need to decide which CPL and ND filters to get. :p

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hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
You always buy a filter for your widest lens and then use step-down for the smaller ones. The other way around would lead to the filter obstructing the lens itself. A filter larger than the lens is no problem.

I type too slow it seems. What Fred said. ;)

I disagree. The OP does NOT want a step down ring, and in the situation you just described with buying the filter to fit the largest lens, the OP wants to buy a step UP ring.

To the OP...my suggestion is to buy size filter that will fit your largest diameter lens. From what you posted, that would be a 67mm filter. You want a step UP ring that is listed as 58→67. The ring will screw onto the front of your 58mm diameter lens then the filter screws onto the ring. A step down ring would be having a lens that is 67mm in diameter and using a filter that is only 58mm (listed as 67→58). A step down ring will cause vignetting as Fred mentioned.
 

Nero

Senior Member
Ah ok. Now that you say it like that it does make more sense. Can anyone recommend me a good 58-67mm step-up ring?
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Ah ok. Now that you say it like that it does make more sense. Can anyone recommend me a good 58-67mm step-up ring?

Step up means the lens is stepping up to a larger filter. Step down means the lens is stepping down to a smaller filter.

I used to use step up rings made by Adorama until I wound up ordering one that was back-ordered forever. I searched around and found the Sensei brand which works well and isn't expensive. Some people will suggest brass rings (which cost more). A problem that may arise in the less expensive rings is difficulty in removing the filter from the ring. I carry a baggie of wide rubber bands and place one around the circumference of the filter. It offers a rubbery grip to easily remove the filter from the ring, and I've NEVER had a problem.

Something to keep in mind when deciding on step up rings and/or filters...if they will be used on a wide angle lens, you may want to consider slim profile filters and/or step up rings. They are narrower from front to back. Why does this matter? Slim profile rings and filters won't cause nearly as much (if any) vignetting when used on wide angle lenses. AND they can be used on any lens.

One more thing...when using a step up ring with larger filters on your lenses, most likely you won't be able to use the original lens hoods. You may need to create some shade over the lenses by using your hand or a hat. ;)

slim step up ring 58 to 67 | B&H Photo Video
 

J-see

Senior Member
I disagree. The OP does NOT want a step down ring, and in the situation you just described with buying the filter to fit the largest lens, the OP wants to buy a step UP ring.

Yep you're right. We call them something that translates into step-down but apparently that's the exact opposite of the reality. Something new learned.
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
I highly recommend theHoya HD circular polarizing filters. The glass in the HD series is significantly harder and far, far easier to clean. The HD series filters also transmit more light than the typical circular polarizing filter. You'll only lose about one stop, or a little over, compared to the two stops our better you'll lose with standard polarizing filters.
 
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SkvLTD

Senior Member
Also I'd imagine you wouldn't want too many in-betweens either, and yea, some sizes are a PITA. I'm actually debating a 72>77 and 55>77 since I don't see much point in those, but they would help round up all my current glass (les I do find a better alternative for 24-85, then scratch 72).
 
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