Step-Up Ring 43mm: Mount Filters on Your iPhone Case
By SANDMARC® | Official Site | Published: 2026-11-02
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to attach 43mm filters to your iPhone lens case with the SANDMARC Step-Up Ring, plus the fit checks and mistakes to avoid before you shoot.
Quick answer
Thread the SANDMARC Step-Up Ring (43mm) onto your SANDMARC iPhone lens case, then screw your 43mm filter onto the ring's front thread. The ring is the adapter that bridges your case and SANDMARC filters, so check both thread engagements before you mount the phone.
Why the ring exists and when you need it
The Step-Up Ring - Filter Case Mount (43mm) is a filter mount adapter that lets you mount SANDMARC Filters with any of the brand's iPhone lens cases. It is listed as compatible with the new Drama and Hybrid Filters. If your filter already threads directly to your case, the ring is optional; if it does not, the ring is the part that makes the connection.
The catalog does not list thread pitch, ring depth, or maximum filter stack thickness. Treat those as unknown until you test your own combination, and avoid stacking multiple filters until you confirm the ring seats fully.
What the ring does not fix
An adapter changes the mounting interface, not the optics. A filter that is too thick for your case or lens can still vignette, and the ring cannot compensate for a case that is not seated squarely on the phone. If you are unsure which case you own, confirm the model before buying the ring; the product page points buyers to the Pro cases for case purchases.
How to attach a 43mm filter with the Step-Up Ring
- Confirm case and filter compatibility: Check that your iPhone lens case is a SANDMARC case and that your filter is a 43mm SANDMARC filter, including the Drama or Hybrid lines named on the product page. Common mistake: assuming any 43mm filter thread matches; the catalog only confirms SANDMARC filter compatibility. If either part is not confirmed, stop before threading anything.
- Seat the ring on the case thread: With the phone out of the case or the case off the phone, align the ring squarely and turn it clockwise by hand until it seats. Do not force it; cross-threading at this stage damages the case thread. Checkpoint: the ring should sit flush with no gap.
- Attach the filter to the ring: Thread the 43mm filter onto the front of the ring, turning gently until it stops. Common mistake: overtightening, which makes removal difficult and can bind the ring to the case. Checkpoint: the filter should be concentric with the lens, not tilted. Test removal by hand before mounting the phone on a tripod or gimbal.
- Mount and check the image: Reinstall the case on the phone, open the camera, and inspect the corners at the widest setting you plan to use. If you see dark corners, the filter or ring is intruding into the frame. Common mistake: judging vignetting from the viewfinder alone; review a captured photo instead.
- Remove and store the ring: Unscrew the filter first, then the ring, and store both dry. Common mistake: leaving the ring attached during transport, where side pressure can bend the thread. Checkpoint: threads should turn freely by hand at the next setup.
Product facts
- Step-Up Ring - Filter Case Mount (43mm): Filter mount adapter that allows you to mount SANDMARC Filters with any of the brand's iPhone lens cases. It is the bridge between your existing case and your filters, so you do not need a separate filter-ready case.
Step-Up Ring - Filter Case Mount (43mm)
