"Bill Hilton" <bhilton665@aol.comedy> wrote in message

news:20031212093021.01726.00000645@mb-m18.aol.com...

> >Was ready to pick up a filter and was looking at step up rings, as the

> > 85/1.8 is a 58mm and the other two primes I have are 52. There were three

> > that I could find, one at 24.95, which was by B+W, the others ranged from

> > 5.95 to 8.95. Is there any difference in construction between the B+W step

> > up ring and the 'standard' rings?

> I usually buy the mid-range ones from B&H, I think Tiffen, but a few months ago

> they didn't have that brand when I ordered a second 67 -> 58 mm ring so I got

> their "General Brand" at about half the price.

>

> The problem with it is the tolerances are too tight and it's much harder to

> align to the lens threads to screw in. Once you get it aligned *exactly* then

> it goes on OK and of course functions fine, but it bugs me that it's such a

> pain to get started.

>

> If I had to use it every day I'd probably toss this one and get something

> better built.

I had quite a few problems with binding and hard starts

with B&H's "Bowers" brand step-up rings in small sizes

for camcorders, and prefer Tiffen when I can get them

(though I don't like Tiffen filters...). If the stepping rings

are often removed/replaced, better quality is worthwhile

(otherwise, maybe not...), as you noted...

--

David Ruether

d_ruether@hotmail.com

http://www.David-Ruether-Photography.com