Filter step down/up adapters

[reshp1]

I'm looking to get a 3.0 ND filter so I can do long exposures in daylight, but unfortunately I have two lenses of different sizes and soon will add a third of yet a different size. Does anyone use one of these adapters? How well does it work. Also, how much of a set up is reasonable, i.e. can I use a 52mm filter on a 72mm lens? I suppose it depends on the lens and the zoom setting, but what's a good rule of thumb? The larger lens of the two-72mm is a long focal length zoom and if I needed to use the wider angle end of it, I would probably use the 52mm lens, does this buy me more step up room?

 

[Steph]

Buy the filter for the lens with the larger diameter (72 mm) and then stepdown rings for your over lens(es). If you use a filter smaller than the diameter or your lens you are likely to get vignetting.

 

[reshp1]

Buy the filter for the lens with the larger diameter (72 mm) and then stepdown rings for your over lens(es). If you use a filter smaller than the diameter or your lens you are likely to get vignetting.

Oh yeah, sorry I forgot to mention, I would much rather get the smaller 52mm filter since it's less than half as much as the 72mm version. Maybe I'll try putting a piece of paper over the edge of the larger lense and seeing if there's a visible difference.

 

[dinodan]

Oh yeah, sorry I forgot to mention, I would much rather get the smaller 52mm filter since it's less than half as much as the 72mm version. Maybe I'll try putting a piece of paper over the edge of the larger lense and seeing if there's a visible difference.

I would be VERY surprised if that works out.

 

[zioneffect564]

I would be VERY surprised if that works out.

Me too... and im pretty sure that it will be visible

 

[jamescell]

Do they make rings that step down?

 

[astrostu]

If not vignetting, then you will at least get significantly less light through the lens - 52.2% to be more accurate (the area of a 52 mm aperture divided by the area of a 72 mm aperture).

Do they make rings that step down?

Yes.

 

[xfloggingkylex]

they do make step down rings, but its harder to find because no company concerned with quality is going to do that to its customers. if you use a 72 mm lens with even a 68mm filter chances are you'll get vignetting. With a 52 mm filter on it, wow just be ready to crop your pictures tightly in the center (pretty much eliminating the idea of a wide angle).

Of course you dont want to spend the money for the 72, but please, do it right the first time and buy the filter for the largest lens size you'll use a filter on, and you will save yourself money in the long run by not having to buy the 52, realize it doesnt work on the 72 and buying the 72 anyways.

 

[fmw]

Whether you can mount a smaller filter on a larger front element depends on the focal length of the lens and its maximum aperture. Sometimes it will work with slow telephoto lenses but not often. Basically, you need to heed the advice above. Get the big filter and step down to the smaller lenses.

 

[reshp1]

Alright, I guess the 72mm it is. Thanks for the input