Is it better to get a really big lens filter and stepup rings, or just to fit th

Question: Is it better to get a really big lens filter and stepup rings, or just to fit the biggest lens you have!?

My biggest lens is a 77mm filter size!. Should I get 82 or higher then step up, so that I'm protected if I get a wider lens so I dont have to buy more, or shoudl I just get the 77mm!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

mono is correct!. with polarisers, the effect you get with wide angle lenses can be unpleasant!. it will depend on your image content as to whether you will notice!. polarisers cover about a 90deg field of view, where a wide angle lens will cover a greater field of view!. this will mean, particularly with flat colour objects, that the colours will change over the fram!. some don't mind the look; i do!.

77mm is all you need, and i recommend b+w!. this company is owned by schneider and are the premium filters and should last a lifetime!. a step up ring should do the trick!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

You didn't indicate what format you are using, and that probably makes a big difference!.

With 35mm format, the probability of needing a filter size greater than 77mm is pretty remote!. But with LF, it is possible that you could encounter a larger lens!.

That said, I would recommend against going with a filter size that is larger than your largest lens, especially if that largest lens is 77mm!. The main reason is cost - why penalize yourself on every future filter purchase if you actually aren't going to need a larger filter!.

You mention the concern about a wider angle lenses!. That's a valid concern!. However - - - there is another issue here!. Do you use a filter on every shot!? My experience (40+ years in photography) is that the need for filters diminishes with wide angle lenses, and in fact, the effect of some filters, especially polarizes, diminishes with larger filters!. Www@QuestionHome@Com