Solution for one size filters across multiple cameras?

[xkaes]

it's also worth considering the cost of 77mm brand name filters....using them on 49mm lenses seems like a sense of false economy

Not if you already have 77mm (or whatever) filters for your long or wide lens(es) -- like me.

And for thinner lenses, you only need to put the step up ring on them when you need a filter. You don't have to have it on 24/7. No more difficult than putting on the filter itself.

 

[GregY]

Not if you already have 77mm (or whatever) filters for you long or wide lenses.

And for thinner lenses, you only need to put the step up ring on them when you need a filter. You don't have to have it on 24/7. No more difficult than putting on the filter itself.

From that point of view, of course. But say i have my $99 dollar 77mm filter on a 49mm Pentax M42 or Nikon 52mm lens and drop it or bump it .....it is much easier to break or dent.
Like L Gebhart mentioned, i use step up rings in LF lenses, but find the idea impractical on a 35mm or MF camera.

 

[xkaes]

Again it depends on what you have or might have. I have plenty of 35mm wide and long lenses that have 67mm, 72mm & 77mm threads. I even have a Vivitar Series 1 800mm CAT that has a 4" front filter thread -- it was Made in America, after all. I converted the front to a 77mm front thread -- the 30.5mm thread on the rear is too limited in filter options.

And I've never spent anything close to $99 for a 77mm filter. $20??? Maybe once or twice.

For most of my 35mm lenses, I just leave the 77mm step up ring on all the time. I don't find it a nuisance at all, but most of the time it only has a lens shade -- no filter, other than a UV. For others this might be a nuisance, but it's pretty easy to put on and take of a step-up ring -- as easy as putting on the filter.

And if you only have one stack of filters, you don't have to spend so much time hunting for what you need. But some people like to hunt.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Hi folks,

In a bid to keep on top of costs, hassle and storage space, I'm looking to find a way to buy one set of filters which I can use across multiple lenses/cameras.

To be more specific, I have several EF lenses (49mm filter mount, 77mm filter mount) plus a Hasselblad 80mm lens with a B50 mount.

I'm thinking of buying some filters to fit the standard ef screw mount, 77mm size and then get various step up/step down rings to help fit the relevant application (plus adaptor for B50 mount)

Is this effective? E.g. will a space of about an inch (added in step up rings from 49-77mm) cause any optical disadvantages?

I'm sure there is a reason why I don't see this very often, but I'm just trying to get a single set to reduce cost, reduce the amount of gear I need to carry, and generally simplify things!

Alternatively, if there are any setups which could work and should be considered, please let me know?

Thanks!
TT

I use 52mm,which works on many Nikon, and Nikkor lenses,62mm which works on the other Nikon lenses, and with an adaptor, on Hasselblad Bay60. With that, I'm pretty much all set. My filter use has gone down anyway lately; They are less needed than advertised.

 

[dynachrome]

I have various step-up and step-rings but sometimes these can cause problems with wide angles. I have noticed that with my 28-90 f/2.8-3.5 Vivitar Series 1 lenses, if the filter ring is too thick, the corners cut off at the 28mm setting. I bought some Hoya filters with narrow rings to solve the problem.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

After years and years and....years, of using gel filters, I settled on glass and step-up rings. Like Alan, I use 77mm filters because that is the size of my RB67 lens' take. The step up rings are for my LF lenses (and Holga's ) . Why glass and the additional space and weight required? Well, I only use carry a Blue, green, yellow, orange, red, and a 720, and two step-up rings if out with LF.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I use the filters that fit the lenses unless I cannot get a filter size, such as B60, in the filter type that I want. Then I use a step up filter.

 

[GregY]

Again it depends on what you have or might have. I have plenty of 35mm wide and long lenses that have 67mm, 72mm & 77mm threads. I even have a Vivitar Series 1 800mm CAT that has a 4" front filter thread -- it was Made in America, after all. I converted the front to a 77mm front thread -- the 30.5mm thread on the rear is too limited in filter options.

And I've never spent anything close to $99 for a 77mm filter. $20??? Maybe once or twice.

For most of my 35mm lenses, I just leave the 77mm step up ring on all the time. I don't find it a nuisance at all, but most of the time it only has a lens shade -- no filter, other than a UV. For others this might be a nuisance, but it's pretty easy to put on and take of a step-up ring -- as easy as putting on the filter.

And if you only have one stack of filters, you don't have to spend so much time hunting for what you need. But some people like to hunt.

I guess you haven't bought a filter for a while, but Heliopan, B+W, & Leitz filters have never been cheap. If your method works for you, that's great. It's an academic question in any case, there are many ways to do things.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I guess you haven't bought a filter for a while, but Heliopan, B+W, & Leitz filters have never been cheap. If your method works for you, that's great. It's an academic question in any case, there are many ways to do things.

But Hasselblad, Heliopan, B+W, & Leitz filters are available used in great condition for much less.

 

[GregY]

But Hasselblad, Heliopan, B+W, & Leitz filters are available used in great condition for much less.

Of course they are, but whatever price you use (new or used) is an arbitrary choice. We're having another possibly endless discussion like those about using stop bath or not, Tri-X or HP5..... Hasselblad or Rolleiflex . It's not one of life's great questions......

 

[Sirius Glass]

Of course they are, but whatever price you use (new or used) is an arbitrary choice. We're having another possibly endless discussion like those about using stop bath or not, Tri-X or HP5..... Hasselblad or Rolleiflex . It's not one of life's great questions......

It is important enough to some people including you to respond to this thread.

 

[xkaes]

I guess you haven't bought a filter for a while, but Heliopan, B+W, & Leitz filters have never been cheap.

I bought about a half dozen Hoya 77mm HMC filters in the last two months -- each for $10-$20 -- and all in mint or near mint condition. Now I'm thinking maybe I should sell them!

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

I keep a step-up adapter on each lens ready for the 77mm filters.

I forgot to mention I also have separate 77mm lens caps over each of the adapters left permanently on the lenses. That way the lenses are protected when not used and always ready to screw the 77mm filter on. No worrying about finding the right adapter and screwing them on when I need to use a filter.

 

[foc]

Poor quality filters in front of high quality glass......................is not a good idea.

 

[xkaes]

Who said anything about "poor quality filters"? Hoya HMC filters are top-notch. I just find them used in perfect condition.

 

[C Jensen]

I followed Ken Rockwell's advise and went to the largest filter I used and just bought adapters for everything smaller. It just seems a tad odd to have my Hasselblad B104 filters on my 40mm Summicron. Stacking is unfun.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Poor quality filters in front of high quality glass......................is not a good idea.

Who said anything about poor quality filters? I use Hasselblad, Heliopan, B+W when possible and fill in with Hoya HMC filters as necessary. I never said that I use or ever recommended the fragile gels.

 

[eli griggs]

But Hasselblad, Heliopan, B+W, & Leitz filters are available used in great condition for much less.

Agreed.

I've bought used beautiful Hasselblad, B&W, Heliopan, Leica and Zeiss used and Hoya HMC when I can no find what I need in the above mentioned filters.

I also used Kodak Gels and love them for their usability and light weight when carrying a smaller bag.

Used filters are, in my buyer's history, a great savings, though I'd be buying new if I had deep pockets, just 'cause they are easily found on line, when you can no find, excellent used.

I suggest picking three filter sizes and get brass step up or step down rings, in 52mm, 67mm and 90mm to 76mm, if your filter range is covering a vast number of filter/lens hood sizes.

This is possible to achieve over the long term through quality used filters and 4" (100mm) gel filters and smaller.

Currently, the largest filter I have is to the Hasselblad 500 C T* lens I'm still hoping to repair, though I do no see much more reason to think I'll have larger optics to deal with.

 

[MTGseattle]

Has anyone used the Linhof universal filter holder and its filters? It may be the mount section from the universal shade without the shade i'm still not clear on that.

The device: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1550276528...CqfPlTsaJLPZ8DyhX7OgqfDbgQ==|tkp:BFBM7JT7rp9i

The Filters.

Linhof 70mm Drop in Filter Set of 3 for Universal Shade (Y08) | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Linhof 70mm Drop in Filter Set of 3 for Universal Shade (Y08) at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

To me, this may be appropriate for some of the lenses with no barrel threads. Maybe?

 

[eli griggs]

I do no know this adapter however as far as Hasselblad kit is concerned, speaking to Bay 60 and or 67 mm, I believe that 70 mm drop in filter set would no be practical, as, especially with buying good used filters, you often have to consider larger sized filters that are available, such as 72 mm or 76 mm which can be easier to find than on the target Bay 60 or 67 mm filters for most CF, CFi, etc lenses we desire to use them on.

Round or Square filters rock, handled proprietary filters are a dead street with little turn around when your kit changes.