herc182
09-03-2005, 03:44 AM
I bought lovelifes adapter because I wanted to expand my capabilities
and add lenses to my camera (FZ20). Hearing all about the other adpaters,
and their limitations (namely putting the lens/filter too far from the lens) I
bit the bullet and bought the lovelife adapter from ebay (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-CRing-Adapter-for-Panasonic-FZ10-FZ15-and-FZ20-JKC_W0QQitemZ7543090357QQcategoryZ50508QQssPageNam eZWD2VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) .
I previously owned the nextphoto (http://www.nextphoto.net/FZ20.htm) adapter which in itself is a fantastic adpater. It is only
for use with filters, and snaps onto the lens itself. My two concerns with
this were:
1 - It put extra weight on the lens barrel (as i always had a UV and
polarisor on it). Although it didnt seem to harm it, i wasnt comfortable with
it.
2 - still left the lens exposed to drops.
However, for use with filters, it is excellent.
Anyway, back to lovelife! On genece's advice, and reading the text on
the ebay link, i thought this was the adpater for me. see my previous post
on lenses and adapters (http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11028&page=2&pp=10) .
Right lets start with:
Delivery
I live in the UK and hence delivery will take longer than to within the states.
However, it took longer than i thought (it was posted on the 18th August
and i received it on the 1st September). Now when i say i received it i mean
i got a card through the letter box saying that i had to cough up £23 for
postage (which actually turned out to be a customs charge). So be aware
that deliveries to the UK can incur a customs charge. I have contacted
lovelife (jk consultants) and informed him that it should be made clearer on
his ebay page of this possible charge (although it is almost common sense
that you may be charged by customs by getting stuff from abroad).
Product
I must say that i did order a fair amount (and I dont really have the funds!
they are smooth talkers those jkconsultants :D ). I got:
62mm UV filter
62mm LINEAR polariser
Cring adapter
Cring step down 62/52
DCR raynox 6600pro
A tether cap (62mm) and tether cord
The Cring adpater is exceptionally high quality. FAR better than the stock
panasonic one. it is aluminum (not plastic like the pana) and is 18mm shorter!
Put that in your pipe and smoke it! it leaves about a 4mm gap from end of
adapter to end of the lens inside. it tapers down to give a 62mm thread.
The cring 62/52 is also metallic (not sure what metal) and feels very well
made. the key (used to screw in the ring) is also durable feeling and works
very well.
What inspires me to think its a good product is how clean and solid it looks
and feels when screwed on. it is a perfect fit. now the downside (for me
anyway) is that i can no longer carry the stock pana adpater or hood
(although i never really use it) since i dont have space in my tamrac velocity
6 bag.
The filters are made by hoya (and hence very good quality) and the raynox
lens (on first impressions) looks very impressive.
The linear polariser is of some concern for some on the FZ20 and i will post
some results later on (when its damn sunny!).
Now a minor/major issue i had (depends what your perception is), was the
tether cord (which secures the cap i got, to the camera). It is of very poor
standard compared to the rest of the gear (see pics attached).
I have also mentioned this to lovelife as constructive criticism. it may do
the job but it is very shoddy in my opinion. it sticks to the camera instead
of threading through the hoop on the side of the camera, and then you tie
it to the cap. Anyway, its a very minor point in my view, but may be more
of an issue for others. luckiliy i used the tether cord from nexphotos adpater!
Another very comforting thing is that the lens is totally enclosed and it feels
like if you dropped the camera, nothing would break. Very reassuring.
Service
Customer service is exemplarary and i only wish everyone i dealed with was
as efficient and helpful. i sent numerous emails to them regarding my
requirements (both before and after i bought the product, and they advised
me all the way through, step by step. I also put the wrond delivery address
on paypal (what can i say, it was late!) and they corrected it for me...twice!
mispelt my post code....i felt pretty stupid.
I would get replies within a few hours (bearing in mind the time difference
from uk to states). so dont send one at 7 in the morning and expect a reply
anytime soon.
Price
I think that this is a very well priced product and excellent value for money.
I was a little irritated to get charged by customs, but thats life. the filters
and lenses are also competetivily priced (and they are also going to stock
the nikon 6T at some point...but dont hold me or them to that).
Conclusion
I have not taken any photos with the kit yet, and when i do i will post them
here. but on first impressions, this is a serious bit of kit, and one that i would
definately recommend. I dont have any experience with adpaters, and hence
cant comment on other brands, but i feel this is one that is hard to beat. you
would do well to get this adpater if you need one! Very solid, excellent fit
and perfect for the FZ20.
Well done lovelife and thank you for your product.
and add lenses to my camera (FZ20). Hearing all about the other adpaters,
and their limitations (namely putting the lens/filter too far from the lens) I
bit the bullet and bought the lovelife adapter from ebay (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-CRing-Adapter-for-Panasonic-FZ10-FZ15-and-FZ20-JKC_W0QQitemZ7543090357QQcategoryZ50508QQssPageNam eZWD2VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) .
I previously owned the nextphoto (http://www.nextphoto.net/FZ20.htm) adapter which in itself is a fantastic adpater. It is only
for use with filters, and snaps onto the lens itself. My two concerns with
this were:
1 - It put extra weight on the lens barrel (as i always had a UV and
polarisor on it). Although it didnt seem to harm it, i wasnt comfortable with
it.
2 - still left the lens exposed to drops.
However, for use with filters, it is excellent.
Anyway, back to lovelife! On genece's advice, and reading the text on
the ebay link, i thought this was the adpater for me. see my previous post
on lenses and adapters (http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11028&page=2&pp=10) .
Right lets start with:
Delivery
I live in the UK and hence delivery will take longer than to within the states.
However, it took longer than i thought (it was posted on the 18th August
and i received it on the 1st September). Now when i say i received it i mean
i got a card through the letter box saying that i had to cough up £23 for
postage (which actually turned out to be a customs charge). So be aware
that deliveries to the UK can incur a customs charge. I have contacted
lovelife (jk consultants) and informed him that it should be made clearer on
his ebay page of this possible charge (although it is almost common sense
that you may be charged by customs by getting stuff from abroad).
Product
I must say that i did order a fair amount (and I dont really have the funds!
they are smooth talkers those jkconsultants :D ). I got:
62mm UV filter
62mm LINEAR polariser
Cring adapter
Cring step down 62/52
DCR raynox 6600pro
A tether cap (62mm) and tether cord
The Cring adpater is exceptionally high quality. FAR better than the stock
panasonic one. it is aluminum (not plastic like the pana) and is 18mm shorter!
Put that in your pipe and smoke it! it leaves about a 4mm gap from end of
adapter to end of the lens inside. it tapers down to give a 62mm thread.
The cring 62/52 is also metallic (not sure what metal) and feels very well
made. the key (used to screw in the ring) is also durable feeling and works
very well.
What inspires me to think its a good product is how clean and solid it looks
and feels when screwed on. it is a perfect fit. now the downside (for me
anyway) is that i can no longer carry the stock pana adpater or hood
(although i never really use it) since i dont have space in my tamrac velocity
6 bag.
The filters are made by hoya (and hence very good quality) and the raynox
lens (on first impressions) looks very impressive.
The linear polariser is of some concern for some on the FZ20 and i will post
some results later on (when its damn sunny!).
Now a minor/major issue i had (depends what your perception is), was the
tether cord (which secures the cap i got, to the camera). It is of very poor
standard compared to the rest of the gear (see pics attached).
I have also mentioned this to lovelife as constructive criticism. it may do
the job but it is very shoddy in my opinion. it sticks to the camera instead
of threading through the hoop on the side of the camera, and then you tie
it to the cap. Anyway, its a very minor point in my view, but may be more
of an issue for others. luckiliy i used the tether cord from nexphotos adpater!
Another very comforting thing is that the lens is totally enclosed and it feels
like if you dropped the camera, nothing would break. Very reassuring.
Service
Customer service is exemplarary and i only wish everyone i dealed with was
as efficient and helpful. i sent numerous emails to them regarding my
requirements (both before and after i bought the product, and they advised
me all the way through, step by step. I also put the wrond delivery address
on paypal (what can i say, it was late!) and they corrected it for me...twice!
mispelt my post code....i felt pretty stupid.
I would get replies within a few hours (bearing in mind the time difference
from uk to states). so dont send one at 7 in the morning and expect a reply
anytime soon.
Price
I think that this is a very well priced product and excellent value for money.
I was a little irritated to get charged by customs, but thats life. the filters
and lenses are also competetivily priced (and they are also going to stock
the nikon 6T at some point...but dont hold me or them to that).
Conclusion
I have not taken any photos with the kit yet, and when i do i will post them
here. but on first impressions, this is a serious bit of kit, and one that i would
definately recommend. I dont have any experience with adpaters, and hence
cant comment on other brands, but i feel this is one that is hard to beat. you
would do well to get this adpater if you need one! Very solid, excellent fit
and perfect for the FZ20.
Well done lovelife and thank you for your product.