Using a 72mm filter on a 52mm lens?

dmfw · 01-28-2013, 09:55 PM

A friend of mine has a nice set (72 mm) of neutral density filters that I'm considering purchasing. Is there in the issue with shooting with a 72 mm filter, using a step down run, on a 52 or 55 mm lens? I assume the larger filter will not damage the lens will it impair the photographs?

Thanks

VisualDarkness · 01-28-2013, 10:37 PM

You mean a step up ring? Step down is something like 58mm filter on a 72mm lens.
I would say no, except the loss of hood usability.

SpecialK · 01-28-2013, 10:38 PM

Originally posted by dmfw

will it impair the photographs?

Yes, because you are adding another layer of glass. How much may be undetectable :-)

tim60 · 01-28-2013, 11:10 PM

The only problems I could foresee:
1. There is another piece of glass in the path - potential reflections, flare etc.
2. Cannot fit the lens hood.
3. The front end is much bigger than you are used to with the particular lens/es. You may accidentally bang the arrangmeent, which will be more vulnerable to damage because it is quite small pieces.

Say thanks to your friend and enjoy.

VisualDarkness · 01-28-2013, 11:23 PM

Yeah, I read people saying "buy filters for the biggest filter size you will use and get rings for the rest". I haven't bought any 86mm filters (Sigma 150-500) yet but at least I got Cokin and screw in filters for 82mm (Sigma20/1.8 etc).

Eulogy · 01-29-2013, 01:58 AM

Heres how to make it no different than using a 52mm - Buy a 72->67, 67->62, 62->58, 58->55 55->52. In the end, it will be like having a metal lens hood, that should accommodate lenses as wide as 18mm or so

Also - Your lens will be very recessed. Reducing potential for damage, even if the filter is smashed to bits.

subidoc · 01-30-2013, 08:05 AM

Originally posted by Eulogy

Heres how to make it no different than using a 52mm - Buy a 72->67, 67->62, 62->58, 58->55 55->52. In the end, it will be like having a metal lens hood, that should accommodate lenses as wide as 18mm or so

Also - Your lens will be very recessed. Reducing potential for damage, even if the filter is smashed to bits.

Not so sure it will be "like having a metal lens hood" as there will be a piece of glass at each end of the set-up, thus still making it possible to have flare. Of course, if you left off the filter, but kept on the adapters, then yes. Just need to make sure they don't have any reflectivity of their own. Also, if there is impact, it will be directly transmitted to the lens, as the "hood" has no "give" to it.

I may, though, stand corrected if someone has had a good experience with this set up. Just be careful not to shoot in the sun, I guess.

Last edited by subidoc; 01-30-2013 at 08:07 AM. Reason: typo

01-28-2013, 09:55 PM	#1
dmfw Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Dallas, Tx Photos: Albums Posts: 159	Using a 72mm filter on a 52mm lens? A friend of mine has a nice set (72 mm) of neutral density filters that I'm considering purchasing. Is there in the issue with shooting with a 72 mm filter, using a step down run, on a 52 or 55 mm lens? I assume the larger filter will not damage the lens will it impair the photographs? Thanks

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01-28-2013, 10:37 PM	#2
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	You mean a step up ring? Step down is something like 58mm filter on a 72mm lens. I would say no, except the loss of hood usability.

01-28-2013, 10:38 PM	#3
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	Originally posted by dmfw will it impair the photographs? Yes, because you are adding another layer of glass. How much may be undetectable :-)

01-28-2013, 11:10 PM	#4
tim60 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 8,755	The only problems I could foresee: 1. There is another piece of glass in the path - potential reflections, flare etc. 2. Cannot fit the lens hood. 3. The front end is much bigger than you are used to with the particular lens/es. You may accidentally bang the arrangmeent, which will be more vulnerable to damage because it is quite small pieces. Say thanks to your friend and enjoy.

01-28-2013, 11:23 PM	#5
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Yeah, I read people saying "buy filters for the biggest filter size you will use and get rings for the rest". I haven't bought any 86mm filters (Sigma 150-500) yet but at least I got Cokin and screw in filters for 82mm (Sigma20/1.8 etc).

01-29-2013, 01:58 AM	#6
Eulogy Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Fredericton, New Brunswick Photos: Gallery Posts: 632	Heres how to make it no different than using a 52mm - Buy a 72->67, 67->62, 62->58, 58->55 55->52. In the end, it will be like having a metal lens hood, that should accommodate lenses as wide as 18mm or so Also - Your lens will be very recessed. Reducing potential for damage, even if the filter is smashed to bits.

01-30-2013, 08:05 AM	#7
subidoc Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Somewhere near the middle... Posts: 325	Originally posted by Eulogy Heres how to make it no different than using a 52mm - Buy a 72->67, 67->62, 62->58, 58->55 55->52. In the end, it will be like having a metal lens hood, that should accommodate lenses as wide as 18mm or so Also - Your lens will be very recessed. Reducing potential for damage, even if the filter is smashed to bits. Not so sure it will be "like having a metal lens hood" as there will be a piece of glass at each end of the set-up, thus still making it possible to have flare. Of course, if you left off the filter, but kept on the adapters, then yes. Just need to make sure they don't have any reflectivity of their own. Also, if there is impact, it will be directly transmitted to the lens, as the "hood" has no "give" to it. I may, though, stand corrected if someone has had a good experience with this set up. Just be careful not to shoot in the sun, I guess. Last edited by subidoc; 01-30-2013 at 08:07 AM. Reason: typo