Filters for multiple lenses

[getg3]

For those of you who own multiple lenses with different filter sizes, do you buy polarizer filters for each lens or just one filter plus step up/down ring? Any vignetting using the step up/down ring?

[Scottes]

I do it within reason. Putting a 77mm polarizer on a 52mm lens seems silly, and potentially dangerous to the polarizer, to me. So I have 77mm and 58mm and step-up rings for the rest. I'd never use step-down rings for fear of vignetting, but on a 1.6x digital camera you shouldn't have a problem for close sizes.

[Jon]

I have 52, 58, and 77 mm polarizers (the Sigma 15-30 would take an 82, but there'd quite likely be vignetting). If I needed additional filter sizes, I'd go with step-up (never step-down) lenses, and only with a direct step if it were available (I wouldn't stack a 52-55 and 55-58, and 58-62 to get from a 52 mm diameter to a 62; I'd get a 52-62, for example). If you stack too many adapters, you may increase the possibility of vignetting, especially with wider angle lenses. Using step-down almost guarantees vignetting with wider angle lenses, especially with EF-S or other "designed for digital sensors" lenses. But I'd never have just one polarizer; lens changes are comparatively easy; filter changes are less so.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Untill yesterday,. I did not have this problem as all my lenses used 77mm....

Then I got my B&H shipment and everything changed... two new sizes,. 58mm and 72mm....

Currently I only have a 77mm polarizer,. I'll get a step up for occasional use with the 72mm lens..

But if I feel the need ,. I'll proabably get a 58mm polarizer rather a step ring.

[getg3]

Thanks for your responses. :)

[robertwgross]

For filters that I use a lot, like circular polarizers, I have one for each lens or each lens size. For filters that I use irregularly, such as Cokin rectangular filters, I have different adapter rings to fit to any of my lenses.

---Bob Gross---

[Longwatcher]

I have two filter sets, one at 58mm and one at 77mm and a 72 to 77 step ring
That so far has covered all of my lenses (including the two just for the XL-2).
I have at least a circular polarizer and an Hoya R72 IR filter for each set, but I have a UV filter for every lens. Between those two I should be able to manage a step ring to most other reasonable sizes.

[Kinger]

I have 52mm (50 1.8 ), 58mm (18-55 & 75-300), 77mm (17-40). I have a polarizer for each size, and just purchased a graduated neutral density filter for the 17-40 since I plan on it being my landscape lens. I personall don't like the idea of adapter rings, it could be my inexperience with them, but I would rather have the filter designed for the size of the lens.

[Penguin_101_1]

I use the Cokin filter system and a ring for every lens.

[JAZZ D.P.G.]

I've got the same as Longwatcher: 58mm set and a 77mm set for 72 and 77mm lens.

Works for me and I have not seen any effect on the 72mm lens.

Stepping from the 58mm would just be gross, plus it would affect the hood.