Will filter step up rings and filters cause any image problems?

Carl170 · May 25, 2017

Hi, I have a TDC Stereo Vivid. It takes 26mm filters. Aft searching, I have been unable to find any,
so have found some step up rings which go from 26mm to 30mm. I then have a pair of UV filters screwed into these.

Looking at the tiny lens size and the step up rings I was wondering if this could have any effect on the image at all?

Thanks in advance for any opinions.

Regards,

Carl

Sirius Glass · May 25, 2017

Step up rings should not cause a problem, but is some cases could cause a problem if the filter is too far forward. One would have to take some photographs to know.

Step down rings could cause problems, but again one would have to take some photographs to test the set up.

M Carter · May 25, 2017

By their nature, step rings move filters farther from the lens, so it comes down to how wide the new opening is. Particularly with wide lenses, you can get vignetting. If you have an SLR style camera, it should be visible, just aim at a bright light colored wall and stop down. If it's not SLR, shoot some test shots. You may have to go to a wider step ring, but with a stereo camera you'll be limited by how close together the lenses are.

The other issues are flare and proper hoods, and you'll either need the proper sized lens caps or you'll be constantly taking the step rings off and on.

BHuij · May 25, 2017

It's already been covered, but generally you won't see an issue with step up filters if you keep the number of steps to a minimum (ideally 1 ring). For example, if you have a 26mm filter thread on your lens, but only own a 77mm polarizer, your best bet is to get a 26 -> 77mm step up ring rather than stacking a 26 -> 30, then a 30 -> 49, then a 49 -> 58, then a 58 -> 62, etc. etc. The reason being essentially that the closer your filter is to the lens, the more out of focus it will be. The further it gets from the lens, the more noticeable things like dust, scratches, etc. will be in your photos. When using a single step up ring I can't discern any loss in quality.

Step down rings are to be avoided whenever possible. It's just asking for vignetting.

Carl170 · May 25, 2017

Here are some pics:

Here is a side view with one filter and step up, the other lens just has the TDC filter on it:

Hope this gives more of an idea how tall the filters and rings are.

Regards

Carl

BHuij · May 25, 2017

You shouldn't have an issue, I wouldn't worry about it.

RichardJack · May 25, 2017

Actually all filters will degrade image quality because your adding two more optical surfaces. Lenses that incorporate rear mounting or internal filters are an exception. But, I am nitpicking here, it's what I learned years ago working for Olympus camera and many articles written about filters in various photographic magazines.

SMD · Sep 8, 2024

Carl170 said:
Hi, I have a TDC Stereo Vivid. It takes 26mm filters. (...) so have found some step up rings which go from 26mm to 30mm. (...) I was wondering if this could have any effect on the image at all?

Hello Carl,
could you report back about how it worked out? Also where I could buy these step-up rings.

Carl170 · Sep 8, 2024

SMD said:
Hello Carl,
could you report back about how it worked out? Also where I could buy these step-up rings.

Hi. Yes it worked perfectly. Just what I needed for the strong Aussie sun! I just googled the step up sizes I needed and some popped up on eBay!

Hope this helps

Carl

Will filter step up rings and filters cause any image problems?

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