1 filter size, multiple step up rings?

[ifurlong]

I have all canon lenses, some primes and some L zomes. I am wondering if htere is any reason that I should not just buy all 77mm filters from now on and get a 58-77 qnd a 52-77 stepup rings, it sure would save a lot of money. I am about to do some film shoting am want to get a B&W #29 red and an R72 infrared filter. Any thoughts? thanks, Ian.

[PhotosGuy]

Considering the cost of the good filters, it makes a lot of sense to me. I'd hate to count up the number of 52mm filters I have now!
Just got a 58>52 step down for the 300D so I can use them on the kit lens at settings above about 22mm (cutoff).
The only downside I can see is that it might look a bit stupid, but I'm used to having that problem!
:wink:

[DaveG]

I have all canon lenses, some primes and some L zomes. I am wondering if htere is any reason that I should not just buy all 77mm filters from now on and get a 58-77 qnd a 52-77 stepup rings, it sure would save a lot of money. I am about to do some film shoting am want to get a B&W #29 red and an R72 infrared filter. Any thoughts? thanks, Ian.

I'd say that the step down ring from 77 to your other sizes makes sense, except for the UV or Skylight filters that you should use to protect the front element of your lens.

One thing to keep in mind with the 77 mm filter is that it's use might preclude the use of a lens hood on a smaller lens. There's certainly no way that I could get my 50 f1.4's lens hood over a 77 mm filter and Canon hoods fit on the lens not the filter so I couldn't even press the 16-35's hood into service.

I guess that the question with digital photography is how many filters will you need? A polarizing filter? Sure. Neutral density? If you need to do long exposures under bright conditions. But in another thread someone asked about Cokin filters and I wonder about how useful they'd be with digital. Does a blue split filter work better than a gradient in Photoshop? Why would you use a solid red filter? I just think that maybe colour correcting filters are a thing of the past.

[PhotosGuy]

Why would you use a solid red filter?

To make contrasting colors (sky-blue, green) darker for B&W conversions. To make red colors lighter for the same reason.

A polarizing filter? Sure. Neutral density?...
Just a note: 2 polarizing filters can be adjusted for the ultimate neutral density!

[DaveG]

Why would you use a solid red filter?

To make contrasting colors (sky-blue, green) darker for B&W conversions. To make red colors lighter for the same reason.

A polarizing filter? Sure. Neutral density?...
Just a note: 2 polarizing filters can be adjusted for the ultimate neutral density!Wouldn't working in channels be just as easy and let you make decisions later?

[CyberDyneSystems]

Ifurlong..

This is EXACTLY what I have done.

I have 3 lenses that are Canon's default 77mm (don't you just love it that they did it that way)

So all my filters are 77mm... once I sold the 50-500mm which required an 86mm.. that means that any lens i own will happily use a 77mm with a step up ring.

It makes very good sense.

[ifurlong]

thanks all

[ifurlong]

currious about the use of 2 polarizing filters, I am in need of exposing for up too 10 sec in full sunlight, I was going to buy a 20 stop ND but would rather have some versatility as I dont always shoot during the day, will the 2 plo set up get me this?

[PhotosGuy]

Wouldn't working in channels be just as easy and let you make decisions later?

Maybe. I havent tried to compare since doing it with film, & was just answering the "Why would you use a solid red filter?" question.

[ifurlong]

I asked this Q awhile ago, I am well versed in using channel mixer, but I am wondering if there is something in using a red filter that cant be gotten in PS

[kfong]

currious about the use of 2 polarizing filters, I am in need of exposing for up too 10 sec in full sunlight, I was going to buy a 20 stop ND but would rather have some versatility as I dont always shoot during the day, will the 2 plo set up get me this?

For adjustable ND, you'll need these:
LP->CP->lens for autoexposure/manaul exposure
or
LP->LP->lens for manual exposure only

Ken

[DaveG]

currious about the use of 2 polarizing filters, I am in need of exposing for up too 10 sec in full sunlight, I was going to buy a 20 stop ND but would rather have some versatility as I dont always shoot during the day, will the 2 plo set up get me this?

For adjustable ND, you'll need these:
LP->CP->lens for autoexposure/manaul exposure
or
LP->LP->lens for manual exposure only

Ken

What does LP and CP mean?

[k-j-m]

Is it best to step up or step down? I was thinking of gettting a 67-58mm step down so I can buy the cheaper (i.e. smaller=cheaper) filters for use on my 75-200 f/4 L. Will this cause image problems, like vignetting? Or would it be better to get the larger filters and step them up? Due to budget constraints, I too would really like to have only one set of filters.


kjm

[DaveG]

Is it best to step up or step down? I was thinking of gettting a 67-58mm step down so I can buy the cheaper (i.e. smaller=cheaper) filters for use on my 75-200 f/4 L. Will this cause image problems, like vignetting? Or would it be better to get the larger filters and step them up? Due to budget constraints, I too would really like to have only one set of filters.


kjm

Yes it will cause vignetting. It only makes sense to go from big filter to small lens size, doesn't it?

[ifurlong]

LP=linear polarizer
CP=circular polarizer

[ifurlong]

can you buy threaded LP's, I have never seen one, althouge I have never looked