filters

[AgentOrange76]

Im going round in circles - possible pun intended - between square and circular filters. My interests are the outdoors - not necessarily wide angle landscapes. Have always liked trying to blur moving water using compacts and would like to start trying long exposure.

Im looking at a CPL and ND filters - something like 6 and 10 stop and feel that circular are more suited than a holder and slot in filters

Are variable ND filters any good or would separate 6 and 10 stop be better? My thought being i can set it low compose etc then turn it up to take the image over a fixed ND?

Can ND filters be screwed onto a CPL if needed - looking at Hoya Pro1 CPL and probably their ND filters

currently have Nikon D3400 with 18-55mm and 70-300mm lenses. These have 55mm and 58mm threads
It seems to be advised to use as large a screw on filter as possibly and use step up rings. How big is to big? Initial thought was to get a 58mm with 55-58mm step up ring. would a 62mm filter be too much for the 55mm?
I would need to use a 55-58 step up and a 58-62mm step up, is this going to cause vignetting at 18mm end? or am i over complicating so stick with the 58mm option?

 

[PaulButler]

Im going round in circles - possible pun intended - between square and circular filters. ...

...stop and feel that circular are more suited than a holder and slot in filters

so your not then are you as it seems the decision is made

Are variable ND filters any good or would separate 6 and 10 stop be better? My thought being i can set it low compose etc then turn it up to take the image over a fixed ND?

No idea about modern ones, when I tried they were poor - and composing etc is where square filters are easier than screw in ones ime/o (you can quickly remove and replace the square ones).

Can ND filters be screwed onto a CPL if needed - looking at Hoya Pro1 CPL and probably their ND filters

Yes.

currently have Nikon D3400 with 18-55mm and 70-300mm lenses. These have 55mm and 58mm threads
It seems to be advised to use as large a screw on filter as possibly and use step up rings. How big is to big? Initial thought was to get a 58mm with 55-58mm step up ring. would a 62mm filter be too much for the 55mm?
I would need to use a 55-58 step up and a 58-62mm step up, is this going to cause vignetting at 18mm end? or am i over complicating so stick with the 58mm option?

Unlikely that step up rings will cause vignetting, step down rings will ime. Only reason to get bigger is if you intend to get an additional lens with that filter size, otherwise just get the 58mm (likely to be cheaper too).

 

[AgentOrange76]

lol Paul, every time i think id got it sorted id read another opinion and change tack.

thanks for the info