Filters, Adapters & Lenses -: I have lenses that use 52mm & 58mm filters. I'd like to get a good variable ND filter to use with both if possible. Suggestions?

asjohnston3 Loc: Irving, TX

I have lenses that use 52mm & 58mm filters. I'd like to get a good variable ND filter to use with both if possible. Suggestions?

Cibafan Loc: Virginia

There is no simple answer if money is no question look at Singh Ray if you are on a budget Amazon has some Polaroid at a very reasonable price. Good luck.

EoS_User Loc: Oshawa, Ontario Canada

I'm sure others would make the same recommendation as this. Buy a 58mm filter of your choice. Then get a step-up ring that converts the 52mm to 58mm. This allows the same filter to be used on the smaller lens threads. There is a drawback to this method however. Using a hood on the smaller lens may be impossible or a least a bit of a hassle.

asjohnston3 Loc: Irving, TX

I was hoping to be able to come up with some system that would allow me to use filters and a hood with as much commonalty as possible between lens sizes without having a Frankensteininean appendage on the end of my camera but it sounds like I may be singing that song from 'Man of La Mancha'

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

EoS_User wrote:

I'm sure others would make the same recommendation as this. Buy a 58mm filter of your choice. Then get a step-up ring that converts the 52mm to 58mm. This allows the same filter to be used on the smaller lens threads. There is a drawback to this method however. Using a hood on the smaller lens may be impossible or a least a bit of a hassle.

Not being able to use the hood that came with the lens is the very reason I don't use step rings. However, you could buy a screw on hood if you want to use a step ring setup. ;)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

ajohnston3 wrote:

I have lenses that use 52mm & 58mm filters. I'd like to get a good variable ND filter to use with both if possible. Suggestions?

I like step-up rings because they let me buy one good quality filter to use on more than one size lens. Of course, using a smaller lens hood with a larger filter would not be possible.

For ease of use with filters, look at the Xume filter adapters.
http://www.xumeadapters.com/

GPappy Loc: Finally decided to plop down, Clover, S.C.

ajohnston3 wrote:

I was hoping to be able to come up with some system that would allow me to use filters and a hood with as much commonalty as possible between lens sizes without having a Frankensteininean appendage on the end of my camera but it sounds like I may be singing that song from 'Man of La Mancha'

You could use still use the 58mm lens hood with the 58mm filter stepped down to the 55mm lens.

ljmeis76 Loc: Bedford, MA(Delray, FL)

I recently posted that I had read bad reviews of even expensive variable ND filters. Recently I ordered a variable density filter from China on a lark with another purchase. Fotga brand from Filter Plaza on eBay. $10.60 pp from China
It is well made and there are no artifacts. At higher settings there is a greenish cast which is easily corrected in a photo editor.I don't know what the exact degree of density is for each setting but I was able to adjust by looking at the shutter speed indicated as I increased the setting (aperture priority). Worth a gamble? If you get one to match size of lens you probably can use a bayonet type shade.