Best Step-Up Rings for Photographers & Videographers: A Complete Guide to Lens Filter Compatibility.

When you’re working with multiple lenses but only a couple of VND filters, the right adapter can be the difference between a streamlined setup and a fiddly mess. I’ve been on the hunt for the most versatile, reliable way to adapt my VND filters to every lens in my kit, without buying duplicates or wrestling stuck rings mid-shoot. In this guide, we’ll walk through the best options for stepping up your lenses, from traditional brass rings to more innovative solutions, so you can keep your focus on the frames you’re crafting and not your gear fighting back.

A step-up ring is a simple adapter that allows you to mount a larger filter onto a lens with a smaller filter thread. For my setup, I need to fit an 82mm VND filter onto lenses with 77mm and 72mm threads. Similarly, my 67mm VND filter needs to be compatible with my 52mm and 49mm lenses. This is where step-up rings become indispensable, saving me from having to buy multiple filters for each lens size.

When it comes to choosing step-up rings, the primary concern is preventing them from getting stuck on your lens or filter. This is largely determined by the material and manufacturing quality. Brass is generally considered superior to aluminium as it is less likely to bind or jam due to its self-lubricating properties and smoother threading.

With that in mind, I’ve researched three promising options available in the UK:

This brand is highly regarded for its solid brass construction, which promises smooth threading and significantly reduces the risk of the rings getting stuck. Users consistently praise their quality and reliability, making them a top contender for professional photographers. However, this quality comes at a price, with a 67mm to 82mm step-up ring costing around £32 at the time of writing.

Fresh from impressing me with the quality of their Nano-X line of VND filters, K&F Concept has once again appeared in my research. Their brass step-up rings are CNC-machined for durability and designed for easy removal. Users report that they thread on and off smoothly, with no signs of binding, and are a more affordable alternative to Breakthrough Photography. A 67mm to 82mm step-up ring from their brass series is priced at a more wallet-friendly £22 at the time of writing.

This is where things get interesting. The H&Y Revoring is a unique, non-threaded adapter that uses a variable-diameter tension mechanism instead of traditional threads. This innovative design completely eliminates the risk of rings getting stuck, making it a very compelling option, especially for those who frequently swap filters between different lenses. While it is the most expensive of the three, it could potentially replace the need for multiple step-up rings, offering better value in the long run.

After weighing up the options, I was initially leaning towards the K&F Concept brass series. To cover my entire lens lineup, I would need at least five of their step-up rings, which would cost approximately £103. However, the H&Y Revoring has thrown a spanner in the works. With just two Revoring adapters, I could cover all of my lenses, and the risk of them getting stuck would be completely negated. For that reason, I’ve decided to go with the innovative and ultimately more versatile H&Y Revoring.

Photo credit: gadgetbag.co.uk

Update!

It’s now been around nine months since I picked up two H&Y Revoring adapters, and they’ve quietly become a non‑negotiable part of my kit. They’re quick to attach, feel solid in the hand, and haven’t once given me that heart‑sinking “why won’t this come off?” moment. Instead of juggling a bunch of separate step‑up rings, I can move my VND filters across all my lenses with zero faff, which means less time fighting threads and more time actually crafting images.