Which lens adaptor to buy for S2 IS?

[glf_sproull]

Hello all,

I purchased the powershot S2 IS and I was wanting to buy a lens adaptor for it, but I wasn't for which one to get. All of the ones made by Canon (that I've looked at) are black. I wanted to get a silver one to match the camera, but I didn't want to buy one made from some cheap manufactuer. If anyone has suggestions on which ones work the best, please let me know. I will use the adaptor for filters mainly, but I might eventually buy the telephoto or wide-angle lens. If there's a specific brand that's best, I would like to be informed. Also, I've seen different mm sizes (i.e. 52mm and 58mm), is that the length of the adaptor or does it matter which one used? Thank you very much for the info!

[TampaJim]

LensMate is the answer. www.lensmate.com

Great service, great products and super information. If you have questions, just E-mail Susan and ask her - she is very helpful.

You will find all the information you need on the site, but in a nutshell - stick with 52mm adapters and accessories since you currently have nothing. All the reasoning, etc. is on the website.

Ciao!!

[JTL]

Ha ha! Jim beat me to it...cross-typing in action! Well I left my post because it has some additional info...:)

The standard Canon Adapter/Lens Hood Kit (LAH-DC20) is 58mm (front diameter) and is desinged to work with the Canon conversion lenses WC-DC58A and TC-DC58B and the Canon close-up lenses 500D and 250D, all of which are very good. A very reliable company called Lensmate makes a silver all-aluminum 58mm adapter that is the exact same size as the Canon adapter. This is the one I own and I highly recommended it. Both the Canon and Lensmate 58mm adapters obviously will accept any 58mm filter as well.

If you don't like the Canon conversion lenses for the S2 and want to use third-party conversion lenses (stick to Raynox, Tiffen or Olympus/TCON), then Lensmate also has a 52mm adapter to accommodate them more easily (as well as any 52mm filter).

Got it?

Here the link to the Lensmate S2 page: http://www.lensmateonline.com/newsite/S2.html

They have comparison shots of several high-quality conversion lenses...

I disagree slightly with my partner Jim on the 52mm adapter...I'm a 58mm fan all the way..I just think the Canon converters perform the best overall...although other brands may beat them at certain focal lengths...

Ah...but I must add...one big disadvantage of the Canon converters is no front threads! So you can't put filters on them. This could be a problem if you like to use filters in a variety of shooting situations. Some of the third-party 52mm converters have front threads. I'm starting to rethink my 58mm position...:D

[glf_sproull]

Hello!

Thank you much JTL and TampaJim for the useful info! Your suggestions really helped. Except now, I don't know which one to buy, 52mm or 58mm?:confused: Are more accessories (different levels of quality) available for one or the other? I believe I'm leaning towards the 52mm (sorry JTL!). Also, linear or circular polarizer? I read that pretty much all auto-focus cameras require a circular polarizer and I just wanted to verify my results. I'm probably wearing you all out with all these questions, but I didn't want to go spend money on something I would regret buying. Once again, I appreciate all your input:D

[kai]

i just got my 52mm adapter from lensmate. the adapter is nicely made from aluminium. I also bought a B+W UV filter for my adapter. look at getting a tele, and a cp filter for it too..

[TampaJim]

Linear, linear, linear. Definitely not circular, a total waste of money on a P&S digital camera - no mirror. Search the forum and you can find all of my explanations on this, I really don't want to type it all over again for the umpteenth time - not your fault, I am worn out! LOL

I would go "middle of the line" on the filters - but again personal preference. I think B+W, Heliopan and other high end filters are overkill for the S2. It is a great camera and I love it - but I am realistic, the whole camera costs $400 - I am not adding a filter to a $1000 lens. Hoya filters are good filters and are reasonably priced. LensMate sells them and it would be very convenient to purchase everything in one place - and from a nice person. Again, just my personal opinion.

Here's a recommended purchase list - two adapters your choice 52mm or 58mm, two clip in lens caps, one Hoya HMC UV filter, one Hoya double coated linear polarizer and one lens cleaning cloth. Now, if you go 52mm - the Raynox 1540PRO is very nice and works well with the S2. Otherwise, go with the Canon teleconverter. Obviously, make sure if you are going Canon - buy everything in 58mm - third party in 52mm.

And no, there are not more or less (roughly) accessories for 52mm or 58mm. It is strictly a matter of preference. The Canon lenses are more expensive (slightly on telephoto, considerably on wide angle) but they are well built and designed - like Canon does most things. In addition, if you do go 58mm - you will spend slightly more on filters, they are bigger and therefore cost a bit more each.

Jim -

P.S. The Canon lenses DO have threads for adding filters, not all third party lenses do, be sure to pick one that does - you will be sorry later if you don't. The Raynox 1540PRO Telephoto does and so does the Raynox 6600PRO Wide-Angle.

[AaronBBrown]

Linear, linear, linear. Definitely not circular, a total waste of money on a P&S digital camera - no mirror. Search the forum and you can find all of my explanations on this, I really don't want to type it all over again for the umpteenth time - not your fault, I am worn out! LOL

I looked for your explanations on this topic and searched for "polarizer" under your username and came up with only 3 threads, none of which provided explanations....one had a link to some site that didn't really address the issue for digital anyhow. From what I have read, you seem to be the only person that recommends linear for digital....everyone else seems to recommend circular.

Could you please provide a link to a thread where you explain this because I am very interested.

[AaronBBrown]

Found this explanation that seems to concur with TampaJim:
http://dpfwiw.com/polarizer.htm#circular

[glf_sproull]

Ahhhh, I am beginning to understand now! If you have a SLR camera (which the S2 IS isn't) then you'd want the circular polarizer. So, it looks like my choice will be with the linear polarizer. It seems that linear or circular really doesn't matter too much with the type of camera I've got. Thank you all for the information! It's proved useful. :D

[TampaJim]

You guys are killing me! The people suggesting circular are confused - that was nice wasn't it?

Linear is BETTER than Circular - however, they don't work with TTL AF (mirrored) SLR and dSLR cameras. When you retard the incoming light, it isn't good - but unfortunately it is required for TTL AF measurement.

Yes, circular filters cost more - but this is one of the few times in life when less is more! Take advantage of it. Now don't go out and buy the cheapest linear polarizer you can get your hands on - a decent brand (Hoya or better) will do just fine.

If you want more explanation - go to Google and search for "polarizing linear circular" and read away.

[glf_sproull]

Hello!

Thank you thank you TampaJim for clearing up the issue! I can honestly say that I understand the difference of linear and circular polorizing lenses now! Whew, it sure was a chore with all the contrary replies I've read. Thanks again!

[JTL]

P.S. The Canon lenses DO have threads for adding filters, not all third party lenses do, be sure to pick one that does - you will be sorry later if you don't. The Raynox 1540PRO Telephoto does and so does the Raynox 6600PRO Wide-Angle.I am sorry Jim, but you are incorrect!

I hold in my left hand a Canon TC-DC58B. I hold in my right hand a Canon WC-DC58A. I am looking at the front of each converter. NO THREADS! :cool:

[TampaJim]

OK. I believe you. I didn't see threads in the photos on the Canon website, so I actually called this morning - prior to making the post. I got thru in seconds and got what I thought was a knowledgeable support tech. He said that both were threaded on the front. Oh well, go figure - speaks English but he is blind!

Support isn't what it used to be! Sigh ...

OK ... well, we now have one additional reason to buy third party lenses - attachment of filters.

Thanks for clearing that up and giving me reason to doubt any tech support division in the world. I actually thought Canon was the last "competent" support department left - I stand corrected.

Jim -

P.S. If one lens is in the right hand and one lens is in the left hand - where in the world is your glass of wine?

[JTL]

If one lens is in the right hand and one lens is in the left hand - where in the world is your glass of wine?LOL!!! What...do you have hidden cameras in my house? I had to put down the glass to take the lenses out of my bag...:D

[JTL]

I actually thought Canon was the last "competent" support department left - I stand corrected.They're generally pretty good...but they seem to have gotten the vertical image stabilization thing wrong as well...