Step down filters - what do they do?

Raymond Lin

Raymond Lin

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I accidentally bought a set of step down filters ring, not really worth the postage to return them being about £5 or something but I am thinking……you can only put a smaller filter in front of a larger lens…what's the point of them?
 
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I think you mean step down rings, do you?

A step up or down ring will permit to use oversized (usually)
on a smaller filter threaded lens. Going the other way — a
smaller filter on a bigger lens — is generally not a good idea
except on a FX lens mounted on a DX body.
 
Kodiak Qc said:
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I think you mean step down rings, do you?

A step up or down ring will permit to use oversized (usually)
on a smaller filter threaded lens. Going the other way — a
smaller filter on a bigger lens — is generally not a good idea
except on a FX lens mounted on a DX body.
Click to expand...

Yes, step down ring.

Is it me or are they pointless?
 
Raymond Lin said:
But step up rings let me put a 77mm filter on a 72mm thread lens?
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Kodiak Qc said:
Yep… adding the advantage of avoiding filter vignetting. :)
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And saves carrying two sets of different sized filters. I have a 67mm thread on a 70-200 f4 whilst my wide angle 24-120 f4 has a 77mm thread. I have a 77-67mm step down ring which allows me only needing one 77mm filter rather than both a 77mm and 67mm filters. (I also use the 100mm hitech filter system so it’s not as much as an advantage as it would be but it’s still worth having the step up ring in the bag in case I do want to put a 77mm filter on the 70-200 f4).
 
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rob-nikon said:
Have a 67-77mm step down
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Step up ;)
Raymond Lin said:
Is it me or are they pointless?
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Limited use but not pointless, I will very occasionally use a Raynox close up lens the included fitting method is not great so it is better to use step down rings, but I think normal threaded filters unless the step down is just one size then they probably are a no-no.
 
The problem here is the terminology, isn't it? Step-up or step-down?

I can't see much point in putting a 67mm filter on a 77 mm thread lens, although if it's a telephoto zoom, say, you could probably get away with it at all but the shortest focal lengths.
 
toohuge said:
They're most useful as mentioned above, by allowing you to only have one set of good filters as opposed to a whole arsenal of filters for every thread size.
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But why would you want to put a 22mm filter on a 82mm lens? That’s what a step down filter ring does.

You are thinking of a step up filter ring.
 
No plus points anymore for step down rings, in the old days of 49mm or 52mm then maybe OK with no vignetting,but, now no.

If you have multi-size to cover then maybe go with Cokin system Lots of choice from series A,P,X or Z.

Otherwise as been said largest circular then use step down to your requirement , buy 77mm and step down to whatever you want.
 
I think the main purpose of step down rings is to confuse purchasers who really want step up rings!

It's easy to see why this would be useful:

https://www.srb-photographic.co.uk/49mm-to-77mm-step-ring-2594-p.asp

'A 49mm to 77mm Step Ring allows the use of a 77mm threaded accessory onto a 49mm thread. This step ring acts as a step up ring, meaning you can attach a larger threaded accessory to a smaller thread. For example if you have a camera lens with a 49mm filter thread and you want to attach a 77mm filter, this is the step ring you will need to use.'

But hard to fathom why this even exists:

https://www.srb-photographic.co.uk/49mm-to-37mm-step-ring-2579-p.asp

'A 49mm to 37mm Step Ring allows the use of a 37mm threaded accessory onto a 49mm thread. This step ring acts as a step down ring, meaning you can attach a smaller threaded accessory to a larger thread. For example if you have a camera lens with a 49mm filter thread and you want to attach a 37mm filter, this is the step ring you will need to use.'

Perhaps there are some exotic and expensive accessories that make the risk of vignetting from such a drastic step down to an unusual size worthwhile?
 
Step down rings are rarely useful at all. They almost inevitably cause vignetting, except perhaps at minimal apertures.
They could be used to fit a cine lens to a larger threaded camera mount, for extreme close up work.
 
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With a larger filter than the lens, you can't use the lens hood :thumbsdown:
 
Raymond Lin said:
I accidentally bought a set of step down filters ring, not really worth the postage to return them being about £5 or something but I am thinking……you can only put a smaller filter in front of a larger lens…what's the point of them?
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Really, why do you not do your homework or accept you bought the wrong item and accept it was your fault.
If I wanted to rob a bank and bought a water pistol instead of a sawn-off shotgun would it be the water pistol sellers fault or mine? :-)
 
MatBin said:
Really, why do you not do your homework or accept you bought the wrong item and accept it was your fault.
If I wanted to rob a bank and bought a water pistol instead of a sawn-off shotgun would it be the water pistol sellers fault or mine? :)
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He's already accepted it was his fault hasn't he? "I accidentally bought........."

He's not said "This bloke said they were something and they turned out to be not what I ordered"
 
GreenNinja67 said:
He's already accepted it was his fault hasn't he? "I accidentally bought........."

He's not said "This bloke said they were something and they turned out to be not what I ordered"
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It was a tongue-in-cheek light hearted comment by me, hence the smiley. No need to take it so seriously.
I'm sure Raymond can defend himself if he feels the need. :-)
 
MatBin said:
Really, why do you not do your homework or accept you bought the wrong item and accept it was your fault.
If I wanted to rob a bank and bought a water pistol instead of a sawn-off shotgun would it be the water pistol sellers fault or mine? :)
Click to expand...


What are you on about? I didn't complain about buying the wrong item? I have accepted it, it's a few quid, no big deal…you are weird.

I am just asking what is the use of Step Down filter rings that's all.
 
Raymond Lin said:
I am just asking what is the use of Step Down filter rings that's all.
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Like I said earlier step down rings do have a limited use. Things like Raynox close up lenses have a fiddly mounting system that works a bit like a pinch lens hood and makes it easy to mount them slightly askew, as the lens has a thread it is better to use step down rings for a more secure better aligned mounting, for filters then they may be OK if the reduction is only small....
 
If you use Dx rather than Fx and have bought a few 77mm filters but then buy an Fx lens with an 82mm filter thread, you might get away with using a step down ring on the 82mm threaded lens and a 77mm filter - probably at the longer end of the lens's FL range but it might still save you a few bob, especially if you're not a massive user of filters.
 
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