Filter thread measuring gage?

[MattKing]

I've been getting brand new filters off eBay from China, paying $3 to $4 each with free shipping. Hard to imagine buying old ratty ones would be cheaper than that.

The old, trashed filters might be desirable brass filters.
Cheap new eBay filters definitely won't be.
I look for the former (in un-trashed versions) but do have and use some of the latter.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

All my glass filters I bought used. They are so cheap locally that for me it makes sense to have same filter in several sizes in storage for apt fit than to down-adapt one large filter sample to the camera threads as needed.
Of course this is a great way to pile up stuff...

I agree with AgX. I have used step-up adapters for screw-in filters and have a number of series VI filters and adapters for Angulon, Summicron, and Summitar lenses. But it is faster and easier in the field to use the correct threaded filter for the lens in use. And with Hasselblad lenses, it is really quick to use the correct Bay 50 or Bay 60 filters. But as AgX noted, you pile up a lot of stuff....

 

[Deleted member 88956]

Yet, we're trying to figure out how to arrive at right thread size with alternative being to order just one of each, top to bottom.

 

[eli griggs]

All my glass filters I bought used. They are so cheap locally that for me it makes sense to have same filter in several sizes in storage for apt fit than to down-adapt one large filter sample to the camera threads as needed.
Of course this is a great way to pile up stuff...

As alternative I also have packed in a bag a set of most used ones in the small Cokin form added with adapters, ready to take.

At that price point I see your point, however, if like some other photographers, you look for and buy, even used, "higher grade" filters, like B&W, etc, and have a range of threaded and Series filters/lenses from 28mm on up, especially those odds and ends you might pick-up or be gifted on the way, and want to multiply your ability to use more than one lens size for a single filter, then having a pile of various filter rings on hand, including sizes you might never use, cam be very useful and can be had, inexpensively

Personally, This last year or so, my focus has been on 67, 72mm and Bay 60/70 filters and adapters, for medium format lenses, and quality adapters for smaller lenses, to get maximum performance, for my dollars.

I am usually have to wait for the right deal to come alone,new or used, but I will wait until I have the money set aside, for a particular filter, one in the range I spoke of and hopefully with a good brass construction.

I'm able to do this, in large part, because I do have 75mm Wratten gels for all but the deepest ND, red, and inflated filters, plus a few of the extremes; most of my 50mm Wratten gels are colour correction but I will still keep looking out for b&w correction filters in that range as well, which will make step filters for ALL my non Medium format and small format lenses less critical.

I would like to be able to buy some good Brass step rings, but the expense is high, relatively speaking, even for good used ones, so this is on my list, should there be a second Stimulus, in the near future, and I'll use aluminum until I can replace them, one by one.

Good filters are best practices for your quality lenses, and how they are coated and made can make the difference in a non-issue photo-shoot/shot, especially in weather, trips on/by water, etc, and an unpleasant discovery, with no viable alternatives.

By-the-way, I do have a few Cokin holders and filters, mostly for 35mm lenses, which I do carry in my Big Bag of Filters, on car outings, but I do prefer good gel or glass filters, simply because that's what I started out with, so long ago, and so, they are a last reach option, in most cases.

Good Photographers can make good images with whatever they have, and I've had my share of "cheap" filters, but having good quality is never a thing to regret.

IMO.