How Many Polarizing Filters Do I Need? I'm getting a little bit tired of carrying a different polarizing filter for every lens I have and I'm looking at step-up adapter rings as the...

donmabry Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

I'm getting a little bit tired of carrying a different polarizing filter for every lens I have and I'm looking at step-up adapter rings as the solution. If I leave a ring on each lens and just work with one filter, do you see any problems? I would be stepping up from 52mm to 77 mm with steps in between. I'm concerned that a 52 mm lens hood will not go over the 77 mm
adapter and, thus, I could not use a lens hood. I also could not carry the lenses in my bag with a lens hood attached. This goes back to doing away with the UV filters and depending solely on the lens hood for protection of the lens. I would be interested in hearing any thoughts any of you may have on the pros and cons of what I'm proposing. As well as info on any other solution(s) to my problem. I do mostly landscapes with a Nikon D-7100 and love the polarizer for this kind of work.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

donmabry wrote:

If I leave a ring on each lens and just work with one filter, do you see any problems?

Yes, I see problems.
You can beat the hood problem by using a 77mm screw in hood screwed onto the front of the polarizer. Problem, good chance the hood and CPL will get married and be difficult to separate.

Tired of changing filters? Problem, you'll add a step up adapter to each lens but will still have to mount the CPL to each lens you use. No labor saved.

Also the increased chance for damage with the larger step up attached and unprotected in the camera bag, besides taking up more space.

I had considered doing this myself but just didn't see any advantage.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

None. Software is doing whatever you need now.... (Execpt taking the picture)

Thunder_o_b Loc: NE Ohio USA

You could use The Cokin system. One filter, one bracket, you just need the rings for each lens. I have been using this system for many years.
http://www.cokin-filters.com/creative-system/

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

Software CANNOT do what a polariser does.
It can imitate some functions but others it just cannot do.

Rongnongno wrote:

None. Software is doing whatever you need now.... (Execpt taking the picture)

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Rongnongno wrote:

None. Software is doing whatever you need now.... (Execpt taking the picture)

This is bad information. Software is NOT a substitute for what a polarizer can do.

Really...where do people come up with so much mis-information?

Yeah, yeah, you can darken a blue sky, but if that is all you think a polarizer can do....

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

Thunder_o_b wrote:

You could use The Cokin system. One filter, one bracket, you just need the rings for each lens. I have been using this system for many years.
http://www.cokin-filters.com/creative-system/

But aren't the adapter rings just as inconvenient as the step-up rings?

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

CaptainC wrote:

This is bad information. Software is NOT a substitute for what a polarizer can do.

Really...where do people come up with so much mis-information?

Yeah, yeah, you can darken a blue sky, but if that is all you think a polarizer can do....

You are right Cap'n. NIK Color Efex 4 has a filter they call 'Polarization' but all it does is darken the blue channel. No other changes even when the filter is maxed out.

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

Bottom line, how much room does a polarization lens take up. I carry three in there cases, in the flap of the camera bag. I know the added weight will probably be to much of most folks.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

The Xume magnetic adaptor makes putting on and taking off quick and easy.

Thunder_o_b Loc: NE Ohio USA

mcveed wrote:

But aren't the adapter rings just as inconvenient as the step-up rings?

The rings are very thin.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Step-up adapters (52-55,55-58,58-62,62-67,67-72,72-77) sound like a great way to save money and adapt one filter to all your lenses. The problem is that, after you have stacked two, three or more rings, you are going to get vignetting. Yes, the rings are thin, but you don't have much spare viewing angle on a lot of lenses.

winterrose Loc: Kyneton, Victoria, Australia

Rongnongno wrote:

None. Software is doing whatever you need now.... (Execpt taking the picture)

You need to do a lot of reading. Come back in six months.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Mogul wrote:

Step-up adapters (52-55,55-58,58-62,62-67,67-72,72-77) sound like a great way to save money and adapt one filter to all your lenses. The problem is that, after you have stacked two, three or more rings, you are going to get vignetting. Yes, the rings are thin, but you don't have much spare viewing angle on a lot of lenses.

I learned about step-up rings on UHH. Before that, I would buy filters to fit individual lenses, so cost, rather than quality, was a concern. Now I use 77mm filters and rings. I also use the Xume magnetic adaptors.

Capn_Dave

winterrose wrote:

You need to do a lot of reading. Come back in six months.

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