82mm CPL for all Lenses with step down rings???

I dont have any experience with step up (or step down depending on how you look at it) rings so let me just start on that note.

I have been wanting to get a B+W MRC Kaesemann Circular Polarizer (CPL) filter and was just looking at them on hvstar.com (which seems to have the best prices and comes highly recommended by many of you here) and while I was shopping I just had the thought: "hey what if I could use one filter on all my lenses regardless of size!?".

I intend to get the Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L II someday soon which has an 82mm filter size, would it be a good idea to get the 82mm B+W Kaesemann MRC Slim CPL and then an 82mm to 77mm step down ring to use it on my 70-200 and 24-70 and then when I want to use it on my 50 and 100 add to that an additional 77mm to 58mm step down ring? Then I would have the slim 82mm for the wide angle lens, and step down rings to use that filter on all my other lenses.

Would this even work? Would the two rings push the filter too far away from the end of the lens and then will it possibly show up in the images on the 24-70 or maybe the 50? Would it be too impractical having a huge 82mm filter on the end of 58mm filter size lens? would the polarization still be effective on a 58mm filter size lens even though the filter is 82mm (I dont see why not but just asking to make sure Im thinking of everthing)? I realize that I wouldnt be able to use lens hoods with anything other than the 16-35 as the step up rings on the smaller filter sized lenses would prevent that, but does one ever use a lens hood when they have a CPL on (how would you be able to adjust the circular part)? Have a I ask enough questions for everyone to get the point?

I'd be curious on this one as well... I'd hate to have to buy an 82mm CPL when I could sell my 77 and use it to fund my 82 to handle all my glass...

Yes, step-down rings can save you money, and weight in your camera bag. As long as you use just one ring, like 82-77 you should be fine. Don't stack too many rings or you will start to see the edges of the filter in the pix.

gasrocks wrote in post #4396429
Yes, step-down rings can save you money, and weight in your camera bag. As long as you use just one ring, like 82-77 you should be fine. Don't stack too many rings or you will start to see the edges of the filter in the pix.

And see thats one of the things I was asking about... If I had an 82mm CPL filter and wanted to use it on my 50mm f/1.4 that has a 58mm filter size could I use two step-up rings (a 58mm to a 77mm AND then a 77mm to an 82mm)?

Has NO one thought of this and tried it before??? Come guys I know Im not the first!

Yes, you could try it and it will probably work ok. Looks funny though. Yes, the general rule is to get all your filters in the largest size you'll need and use step-down rings.

Okay, well I will give it a try as soon as they get the 82mm one in stock. I just emailed them and asked if they would be carrying it anytime soon.

You'll need to watch out for the hoods. If you are using an 82mm filter stepped from your 58mm lenses (85/1.8 and 50/1.4) I am not sure you'll be able to fit the hood on correctly.

Especially if you are using a CPL and need to manipulate it!

I would get one step down ring for each filter size (ie 82 to 77mm and 82 to 58mm). Although I have not seen an 82 to 58mm ring. I was able to get an 82 to 72mm ring at B&H. I doubt you can use hoods on the smaller lenses also.

thebigphil wrote in post #4397850
You'll need to watch out for the hoods. If you are using an 82mm filter stepped from your 58mm lenses (85/1.8 and 50/1.4) I am not sure you'll be able to fit the hood on correctly.

Especially if you are using a CPL and need to manipulate it!

Yea I was never intending to use hoods when using a CPL as I couldnt figure out how that would work. I dont think with any of the hoods on any of my lenses that I would be able to even reach and rotate a CPL.

mebailey wrote in post #4397910
I would get one step down ring for each filter size (ie 82 to 77mm and 82 to 58mm). Although I have not seen an 82 to 58mm ring. I was able to get an 82 to 72mm ring at B&H. I doubt you can use hoods on the smaller lenses also.

Yea I was unable to find an 82mm to 58mm adapter thats why I was asking if using two would be bad... I figured that a 50mm would be narrow enough to not be affected by the two stacked step-up rings seeing as how the hood is not seen and it is much longer.

mebailey wrote in post #4397910
I would get one step down ring for each filter size (ie 82 to 77mm and 82 to 58mm). Although I have not seen an 82 to 58mm ring. I was able to get an 82 to 72mm ring at B&H. I doubt you can use hoods on the smaller lenses also.

Oops, never mind they are made, here is one at B&H.

If you need to economize, then step-up rings are a great way to do it. Just don't go half-way in that you try to get by stepping up to a 77mm filter just because the largest lens size you own today is 77mm. Buy for the largest you're likely to own.

Second, the issue of hoods is definitely a practical ramification, and you're going to have to accept that when you shoot with your CP and any lens that you step-up to it, you're going to shoot hoodless and are going to have to make provisions for mitigating stray inbound oblique light and flare in certain circumstances or find some aftermarket hood that is mated to the threads of your filter to give you at least some minimal functionality.

Finally, I'd counsel you to buy absolutely the best CP you can afford. After making such a sizable investment in camera and lens, why even risk inserting a weaker-than-necessary link in the chain? It will pay back in spades both in IQ and in saving you from reinvestment dollars over time.

All of these are effective means of adapting until you eventually just punt and get a filter to match each lens size. LOL.

Best of luck!

Elan Remford wrote in post #4398293
If you need to economize, then step-up rings are a great way to do it. Just don't go half-way in that you try to get by stepping up to a 77mm filter just because the largest lens size you own today is 77mm. Buy for the largest you're likely to own.

Second, the issue of hoods is definitely a practical ramification, and you're going to have to accept that when you shoot with your CP and any lens that you step-up to it, you're going to shoot hoodless and are going to have to make provisions for mitigating stray inbound oblique light and flare in certain circumstances or find some aftermarket hood that is mated to the threads of your filter to give you at least some minimal functionality.

Finally, I'd counsel you to buy absolutely the best CP you can afford. After making such a sizable investment in camera and lens, why even risk inserting a weaker-than-necessary link in the chain? It will pay back in spades both in IQ and in saving you from reinvestment dollars over time.

All of these are effective means of adapting until you eventually just punt and get a filter to match each lens size. LOL.

Best of luck!

Thanks for the advice! Yes I am strongly thinking of getting the 82mm CPL since thats the filter size of the 16-35L, and I dont see myself ever owning a lense with a filter size larger than that seeing as how there are so few. And yes I will be buying the most expensive CPL that B+W makes. With camera equipment as with many other things in this world I am a strong believer in getting what you pay for. As for the len hood issue... I am just going to have to live with it and plan ahead for it to compensate when composing a shot where flare might be an issue. Thanks again for the advice.

One annoying thing about the step up ring/CPL combo is the threads can bind and it makes it nearly impossible to get the CPL off. Its more annoying then anything else, generally they do some off, but its something to keep in mind.

nadtz wrote in post #4400016
One annoying thing about the step up ring/CPL combo is the threads can bind and it makes it nearly impossible to get the CPL off. Its more annoying then anything else, generally they do some off, but its something to keep in mind.

Yea I was a little concerned with that too. I was actually thinking of getting the official B+W 82mm to 77mm step down ring (which is a ridiculous $45 from Adorama) in the hopes that it would be made of high quality brass like their good filters are and have a smoother operation and less chances of binding or cross threading.

Personally, I'm not a fan of step down/up rings. I've used them in the past but gave them up. Just more stuff to carry around, screw/unscrew, take care not to drop off the face of a cliff, etc...got to be a real PITA. Plus, having to deal with more sets of threads also increases the risk of stuck filters and/or rings. Others may disgaree with this, but I'd recommend that you carry a CPL in the 82mm and 77mm size. I know that its a bit more expensive this way, but it minimizes all of the little 'junk' that you have to carry and will save you time and effort in the long run. Plus, spending $45 for step down ring is almost half the price of a decent 82mm CPL.