Question about filters: I was looking at filters in a store today and noticed there were two different sizes, one 55mm and another 58mm....could someone explain this to me? I...

Joyfullee Loc: South FL

I was looking at filters in a store today and noticed there were two different sizes, one 55mm and another 58mm....could someone explain this to me?

I understand that filters can block UV rays and/or tone down bright areas or direct sunlight, just don't understand the mm #'s.

Please and thank you. :-)

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

OK I actually asked the guy at the camera store so I know the answer....

55mm and 58mm are is actually the diameter (distance across) on the front of a lens. boy I kinda felt like a tool after asking that question, lmoa

Not that you should but I had just finished speaking (ok Bragging) to him about how I had learned so much in the last 6 months and boom... foot in mouth.

:)

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

Joyfullee, those numbers refer to the lens and what size filter will screw into it. Step-up and step-down rings are marked in the way.
Example--My 18-250 lens is made to take 72mm filters, but because my 10-20 takes 77mm filters, I have used a step-up ring (72mm to 77mm) on the 18-250 so I can use 77mm filters. This saves money.

Joyfullee Loc: South FL

MWAC wrote:

OK I actually asked the guy at the camera store so I know the answer....

55mm and 58mm are is actually the diameter (distance across) on the front of a lens. boy I kinda felt like a tool after asking that question, lmoa

Not that you should but I had just finished speaking (ok Bragging) to him about how I had learned so much in the last 6 months and boom... foot in mouth.

:)

Thanks MWAC, but I'm still not understanding. Are there more than just the two sizes I mentioned and if not or either way, how would I know which size to buy?

Joyfullee Loc: South FL

I'm having a really dense moment here...I have the Nikon D3100 with two Nikon lenses. The 18-55 and the 55-200. Does anyone know what size filter/s I would need to fit these lenses?

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

Joyfullee wrote:

I'm having a really dense moment here...I have the Nikon D3100 with two Nikon lenses. The 18-55 and the 55-200. Does anyone know what size filter/s I would need to fit these lenses?

Sorry I missed this part.

Take the lens cap off your lens and look at the back of it, there should be a number in millimeters imprinted on the back of the lens cap: that's the size of the digital SLR camera filter that you need.

And yes there is more than the two sizes that you mentioned, those two sizes are the most common sizes for consumer sized lenses. :)

The size of the filter that you get must match the diameter of your lens, since the filter will screw onto the front of the lens.

Joyfullee Loc: South FL

MWAC wrote:

quote=Joyfullee I'm having a really dense moment ... (show quote)

:D Thank you very much! Solution to problem, solved. The answer is....52!

:thumbup:

TwoFilmingos

Hi Joyfullee. Not to get all sciency, but the mm that you are asking about refer to the diameter of the lens (distance across the circle). Since the filter needs to screw onto the lens, the diameters need to match. Most of my lenses (Canon) have the diameter in fine print on the edge near the glass. There are lots of diameters. Using a step up ring will expand the diameter so you can fit larger filters onto lenses with smaller diameters.

Joyfullee Loc: South FL

TwoFilmingos wrote:

Hi Joyfullee. Not to get all sciency, but the mm that you are asking about refer to the diameter of the lens (distance across the circle). Since the filter needs to screw onto the lens, the diameters need to match. Most of my lenses (Canon) have the diameter in fine print on the edge near the glass. There are lots of diameters. Using a step up ring will expand the diameter so you can fit larger filters onto lenses with smaller diameters.

Is there a reason why I would want a larger filter rather than one that is the "right" size?

TwoFilmingos

Congrats! :)

Joyfullee Loc: South FL

Joyfullee wrote:

quote=TwoFilmingos Hi Joyfullee. Not to get all s... (show quote)

Oh, nevermind. I was just re-reading this thread and saw that Chapjohn has already answered this question....I'm big on ways to save money!

Getting bit by the photography bug is getting to be quite expensive. One thing at a time, though.

Thanks Chapjohn.

Both my lenses at the moment take the same size, so I'm good...for now.

:thumbup:

skidooman Loc: Minnesota

Not really. But if you had more than one lens with different diameters, you can kill two birds with one stone so to speak. Buy the bigger size, and the needed step ring(S) to accomodate the smaller diameter lens and you can use the same filter on both lenses. Cost effective, yes. A hassle changing it back and forth, maybe so. I would be curious as to what type of filter you are referring to specifically. Camera sensor size and type of filter may affect your decision on using step rings. My suggestion, buy the right size for your lens. If someday you get a bigger and better lens, buy the needed filter size for it.

Joyfullee wrote:

quote=TwoFilmingos Hi Joyfullee. Not to get all s... (show quote)

JimH Loc: Western South Jersey, USA

Joyfullee wrote:

Both my lenses at the moment take the same size, so I'm good...for now. :thumbup:

Be thankful. My collection has 48, 52, 55, 58, 67 and 77 mm diameters.

skidooman Loc: Minnesota

Yeah, I'm in that boat too.

JimH wrote:

Joyfullee wrote:

Both my lenses at the moment take the same size, so I'm good...for now. :thumbup:

Be thankful. My collection has 48, 52, 55, 58, 67 and 77 mm diameters.

Joyfullee Loc: South FL

JimH wrote:

Joyfullee wrote:

Both my lenses at the moment take the same size, so I'm good...for now. :thumbup:

Be thankful. My collection has 48, 52, 55, 58, 67 and 77 mm diameters.

Why does the size change with the different lenses? The 2 I now have are the same.