teleconverter lens for Lumix DMC-FZ20

[Connie Bowen]

I am floored by the price of the Panasonic teleconverter. Has anyone had luck, or not, with other brands? What do you recommend? Thanks!

[genece]

IMHO the best teleconverter for the FZ20 is a Tcon14B......and I imagine you know you will need an aftermarkert adapter such as this one.
Email the vendor he will fix you up.

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-CRing-Adapter-Panasonic-FZ10-FZ15-and-FZ20-JKC_W0QQitemZ7596461638QQcategoryZ50508QQssPageNam eZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[jcon]

I second Genes suggestion. The pana tele is a rip off. I have seen many comparison shots and I really didnt notice much of a difference between the $400 Pana and the $150 Tcon.

[StanStan]

I also think the TCON 14B is one of the best Tele's for the FZ20. There are two on EBAY for very attractive prices.

[treed]

What about the TCON 17? It works very well with my FZ30 but wouldn't it work pretty much the same for the FZ20?

[24Peter]

Hi guys. I haven't posted here in a while (I bought a Canon Rebel XT last year after selling my FZ20 and have been posting over on the Canon forum.) Anyway, I still have my TCON 14B which I just posted for sale. Can't really do buy/sell here (I don't think Jeff likes that :) ) so follow the link and then contact me that way if you're interested.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/ele/141309676.html

BTW - While I've really been enjoying my Rebel XT, the FZ cameras are a great alternative to the whole DSLR thing. I must say, my FZ20 was a terrific way to learn the basics of photography.

[Tibeu]

Whenever one of you is looking for a MCON, TCON or WCON Olympus converter lens on ebay, you should clearly start by looking at Olympus' ebay store. They sell brand new lenses at incredible prices. They say boxes (not lenses!!) can be damaged - but I did not notice anything in my case. I personnally bought a MCON-35 and WCON-08B from them for my FZ20 and I'm fully satisfied. TCON-14B can be harder to find however, and finally found mine elsewhere... Have a look at Olympus Auctions (http://stores.ebay.com/Olympus-Auctions_Lens-Lens-Accessories_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ9QQftidZ2QQtZkm ).

[suzleigh]

Ok... I freely admit to being a complete idiot when it comes to photography. After reading posts, I purchased a TCON 14-B for my FZ20 and am ready to get the CRing Adapter. I am way unimpressed with the response I got from JK Consultants (I asked what I specific items I needed and received a one line reply pointing me to the e-Bay site).

I'm already really frustrated in that I can't seem to grasp aperture, shutter speed, ISO, exposure, etc. (I was getting better pictures with my $90 Canon point&shoot camera) and would prefer to avoid more angst resulting from ordering the wrong items. I've read through the posts and have yet to find specific ordering details.

So, I think I need to get the 62mm CRing Adapter, one B62/55 CRing kit, one 62mm UV, one 62mm center squeeze lens cap and tether (???)

I also understand that I cannot use the supplied lens hood once the CRing adapter is attached -- so will the UV filter do the same job or do I need to find another lens hood?

Is there anything else I need??

Recommendations for a good 'Idiot Guide' (or similar) would also be appreciated.


SuzLeigh

[jcon]

My advice to you would be simple, first, stop bashing yourself;). Spend less time worrying about what you need and more time enjoying your wonderful camera! Eventually you will figure out shutter and aperture and everything else. Be patient its free to make mistakes ;)

[genece]

Ok... I freely admit to being a complete idiot when it comes to photography. After reading posts, I purchased a TCON 14-B for my FZ20 and am ready to get the CRing Adapter. I am way unimpressed with the response I got from JK Consultants (I asked what I specific items I needed and received a one line reply pointing me to the e-Bay site).

That is unusual.....Lovelife was very good at helping customers....Perhaps it was a bad day.......

I'm already really frustrated in that I can't seem to grasp aperture, shutter speed, ISO, exposure, etc. (I was getting better pictures with my $90 Canon point&shoot camera) and would prefer to avoid more angst resulting from ordering the wrong items. I've read through the posts and have yet to find specific ordering details.

If you are talking about taking pictures indoors without a flash that is the hardest thing for the FZ20 to do.
However if you are talking about taking photos outdoors in the daylight...Just put the camera on P mode and take photos ...you do not need to understand all the tech stuff at the start...you can grow into that....Just enjoy how great a photos the camera can take in P mode.
There are some settings that you may need to change ...if you want help with that I can tell you my favorite settings.


So, I think I need to get the 62mm CRing Adapter, one B62/55 CRing kit, one 62mm UV, one 62mm center squeeze lens cap and tether (???)

If you have the Tcon 14B why get the 55mm cring?

I also understand that I cannot use the supplied lens hood once the CRing adapter is attached -- so will the UV filter do the same job or do I need to find another lens hood?

You are correct about the hood, a lot of people are using a Hama hood and I use a homemade hood.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=90018&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Is there anything else I need??

Recommendations for a good 'Idiot Guide' (or similar) would also be appreciated.


SuzLeigh

I do not know of a guide for the FZ20 but we will be glad to try and help....
For some advice I would set the ISO on auto and the focus to center or spot and try that for a while as you learn you can set those the way you want but I would suggest that for a start.
One other thing turn off continuous autofocus

[suzleigh]

Thanks very much. Its not so much that I'm bashing myself -- I think if I stay with it, I will get better. I'm actually not used to such a learning curve (I usually pick up technical stuff pretty quickly). If this required the cost of developing film, the camera would have been on eBay a week ago. Yeah digital!!

But... genece, you asked "If you have the Tcon 14B why get the 55mm cring?" If I'm not supposed to get the 55mm ring, which one am I supposed to get??

I also have the Sunpak 383 (incl Omni-Bounce). A lot of my photos are being done indoors for my church in a school auditorium with dungeon type lighting (bright here/dark there) and a house with varied lighting, both with subjects at varied distances.

[StanStan]

I the beginning use P as suggested but the first thing to learn is the use of the HISTOGRAM.. Very easy. The use of the histogram insures that the exposure will be correct no matter what the rest of the camera settings are. See page 30 of the operating instructions. Then shoot tons of pictures with many at the same subject. Try in full sun first as that is easiest conditions to shoot with the 20. Inside is the hardest.
The TCON 14B is one of the best tele's for the 20. I have to lean against a post or rest on a fence to steady the camera. Use anti shake 2. I never use 1. On tripod with no wind I set anti-shake to 0.
The TCON 14B has 62mm mounting threads so it will fit any lens adapter with 62mm threads. 55mm is of no use unless you have another lens you did not mention that has 55 mm mounting threads.
A coated UV and polarizer, get the linear and not the circular type. Do not spend a lot of money on filters as the inexpensive ones are very good.
As for a hood I have a 72mm Hama that fits my Phayee lens with its "hood"adapter attached. Got it before LoveLife came out with his CRing line-up. You may want a 62mm hood. Even on my FZ30 I use a 72mm hood with a 55mm/72mm step up ring. Used a 62mm/72mm step up ring on the FZ20
BTW IMHO I would only ask one question per post. You may get more responses. Just post away till you understand the whole process of taking pictures..
As to the aperture , think of your eye. When your eye [camera] sees a lot of light the iris [aperture] gets smaller. In dark light your iris enlarges to let more light in. Set your LCD to display all the settings and watch them change when you pan from full sun to shade.

[suzleigh]

Ok! Fabulous tips! But... I still don't know which CRing to get.

Otherwise -- I've already set the camera shake setting to 2 (IAW the instruction book recommendations); I have the histogram on, but am still not doing well with getting the right settings for the varied light levels; I've read and re-read the manual and will likely be reading it again tonight.

I know my original message crept into a wider topic -- all I really need right now is someone to tell me, specifically, what size CRing (and CRing accessories) do I need to use a TCON 14B on my FZ20.

SuzLeigh

[StanStan]

If you get the CRing lens adapter for the FZ20 you NEED NO adapter. None, ZIP, Nada, etc.
Just keep the histogram in the middle. not to the left and not to the right. Learn to move it to the middle if not in the middle. Do not shoot if it not in the middle. Pg 30
Keep on shooting. Just erase the mess you get. In the beginning not many "Keepers". I shot from my back porch for days at a time. Kept maybe 1 of a couple hundred!
We posters are waiting with baited breath for more questions. Took me about 6 months to get somewhat familiar with the FZ20 after my Minolta SLR {may I mention: film] During this process I think I wore Genece out. He sure does have perseverance!!!!

StanStan

[suzleigh]

I'm obviously making much this harder than it needs to be. Here is the information off eBay. At this point I don't really need/want to know why I do/don't need something... I just need someone to tell me what to get so that I can get the most out of this lens now and later (when I have a better idea of what I'm doing).

I get that the CRing is a stand-alone thing and I'm assuming that I'll be getting black components. So, do I go with example 1 or example 3 or something else?

Thx

Example 1: 62mm CRing Adapter with lens center squeeze cap, 62mm UV and convert one 55mm lens to 62mm
Order one black 62mm CRing Adapter, one B62/55 CRing kit, one 62mm UV, one 62mm center squeeze lens cap and tether.

Example 2: 62mm CRing Adapter with center squeeze lens cap, 62mm UV and convert one 52mm and one 58mm lens to 62mm
Order one silver 62mm CRing Adapter, one B62/52 CRing kit, one 62-58 Cring, one 62mm UV, one 62mm center squeeze lens cap and tether.

Example 3: 62mm CRing Adapter with edge squeeze lens cap, 62mm UV and converts one 52mm lens and one 55mm lens to 62mm.
Order one black 62mm CRing Adapter, one B62/55 CRing kit, one 62-52mm CRing one 62mm UV, one 62mm edge squeeze lens cap and tether.

Example 5: 62mm CRing Adapter with center squeeze lens cap, one 62mm UV
Order one silver 62mm CRing Adapter, one 62mm UV, one 62mm center squeeze lens cap and tether.

[genece]

Just call him or email and tell him you want one Cring adapter...that should be 33 dollars...and if you want the cap..Lens Cap center squeeze 62mm $2.50 ....and if you want a filter get a 62mm filter $15.55.

You only need the cring if you are going to add a 55mm lens.And the 14B is 62mm...All that and its example 5

Example 5: 62mm CRing Adapter with center squeeze lens cap, one 62mm UV
Order one silver 62mm CRing Adapter, one 62mm UV, one 62mm center squeeze lens cap and tether.
$33.00 + $15.55 + $3.00 + Shipping $4.52 = $56.07

Adapter ...filter and cap and tether + shipping $56.07

[suzleigh]

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

SuzLeigh

[genece]

I see that says silver so may have to tell him what color you want....
Black or silver.

[LoveLife]

Ok... I freely admit to being a complete idiot when it comes to photography. After reading posts, I purchased a TCON 14-B for my FZ20 and am ready to get the CRing Adapter. I am way unimpressed with the response I got from JK Consultants (I asked what I specific items I needed and received a one line reply pointing me to the e-Bay site).

There must have been a misunderstanding. The CRing adapter without additional CRings can support 62mm accessories. Contact them directly jkconsultants@att.net.

I'm already really frustrated in that I can't seem to grasp aperture, shutter speed, ISO, exposure, etc. (I was getting better pictures with my $90 Canon point&shoot camera) and would prefer to avoid more angst resulting from ordering the wrong items. I've read through the posts and have yet to find specific ordering details.

So, I think I need to get the 62mm CRing Adapter, one B62/55 CRing kit, one 62mm UV, one 62mm center squeeze lens cap and tether (???)

For a TCON14B 62mm mount, CRing combination you do not need a B62/55 kit. This would only be needed for 55mm accessories. Yes you should get the 62mm UV $15.55 and lens cap with tether $3.00 to protect the Leica lens and mechanicals.

I also understand that I cannot use the supplied lens hood once the CRing adapter is attached -- so will the UV filter do the same job or do I need to find another lens hood?


Recommendations for a good 'Idiot Guide' (or similar) would also be appreciated.


SuzLeigh
They do not sell a lens cap and yes you will need another one search eBay "62mm hood Hama”. Sorry I do not know what guide to suggest.

[MapletonPI]

Is a Tcon 14b a Tcon14b? Is there only one or are there different versions for different cameras? I saw this one on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Olympus-TCON-14B-Tele-Extension-Lens-Pro-E-20-E20-E-10_W0QQitemZ120257550147QQihZ002QQcategoryZ106876Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Will this work for my FZ20?

Kevin

[LoveLife]

Is a Tcon 14b a Tcon14b? Is there only one or are there different versions for different cameras? I saw this one on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Olympus-TCON-14B-Tele-Extension-Lens-Pro-E-20-E20-E-10_W0QQitemZ120257550147QQihZ002QQcategoryZ106876Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Will this work for my FZ20?

Kevin

This is the correct TCON for the Panasonic line of FZ zoom cameras. You will need to buy an adapter so the 62mm mount of the TCON14B can fit on the FZ20. I do sell one for $30.00. I also have a lens hood for the TCON14B $24.96.

[Gerry55]

This is the correct TCON for the Panasonic line of FZ zoom cameras. You will need to buy an adapter so the 62mm mount of the TCON14B can fit on the FZ20. I do sell one for $30.00. I also have a lens hood for the TCON14B $24.96.

Hi LoveLife
Yes this one is the one to fit the FZ20, mine cost £25 on ebay.