Step-up Rings

A filter adapter rings set consists of lightweight metal rings with different thread sizes on each side. It bridges the gap between different lens thread sizes and filter diameters, allowing you to mount one single set of expensive filters (like ND, CPL, or Mist filters) across all your camera lenses.

Step-Up Rings: Allow you to attach a larger filter onto a smaller lens thread (e.g., mounting an 82mm filter on a 67mm lens). This is the recommended approach as it prevents dark corners (vignetting).
Step-Down Rings: Allow you to attach a smaller filter onto a larger lens thread (e.g., mounting a 58mm filter on a 77mm lens). This will block parts of the lens glass and cause heavy vignetting.

Filter adapter rings feature two numbers printed on their metal rim formatted as "Lens Size - Filter Size":
A "67mm-82mm" ring attaches to a 67mm lens thread on the back and accepts an 82mm filter on the front.
A "77mm-67mm" ring attaches to a 77mm lens thread on the back and accepts a 67mm filter on the front.

Yes, you can screw multiple rings together in series to bridge a large size gap (e.g., stacking 52mm-58mm, 58mm-67mm, and 67mm-82mm rings). However, stacking too many thick metal rings moves the filter further away from your front lens glass, which can cause vignetting on wide-angle lenses.

Never force or over-tighten metal rings. If an aluminum ring gets jammed, press the palm of your hand flat against the face of the ring to apply even pressure while turning counter-clockwise, or use a flexible rubber lens wrench tool to twist it off safely without damaging your lens threads.

Usually no. Step-up rings increase the outer diameter of your lens front end, which prevents standard bayonet-mount lens hoods from sliding over the barrel. You can, however, screw a larger screw-in metal lens hood directly onto the front threads of your step-up filter instead.