Vignetting problems with my new lens

[JaimeLynn]

I'm new to real photography (I have been using point-and-shoots up until this point). A few months ago I purchased the Panasonic FZ20 and just got a telephoto and macro wide angle for Christmas.

When I put either of them on I get vignetting (a black circle around the edge) and I'm not sure if it's because the lenses are too small (the camara lens is 72mm and the lenses are both 52mm at the close end) or if I should just zoom in to "crop out" the black. If I keep these lenses will I be disappointed? Should I be looking for lenses with a larger close end? Can you recomend any under the $200 mark?

Also, what should I be weary of when buying "no-name" products off ebay?

[jcon]

What converters are they? With teleconverters you need to use some zoom to get rid of the vignetting. Usually 3x will do the trick.

Maybe more info on your setup and adapters and converters would help to determine your problem a little more.



EDIT** Forgot to mention, the TCON14B is a great tele lens for the FZ20, i used one and it was great. I dont know if youre aware, but with conversion lenses, you need an adapter to connect it to the camera. You want the lense to be as close as possible to the camera lens so you dont get that vignetting you are describing.

For the most part, no name lenses arent all that good in quality. So be careful when shopping on eBay.

[John_Reed]

What converters are they? With teleconverters you need to use some zoom to get rid of the vignetting. Usually 3x will do the trick.

Maybe more info on your setup and adapters and converters would help to determine your problem a little more.It's natural and inevitable to see some vignetting with your Telephoto converter added on, and ~3X should get rid of the "black circle." However, with your wide angle attachment, I don't know what adaptor you're using, but it should place the back of the WA lens close enough to the nose of the extended FZ20 lens such that vignetting shouldn't occur at minimum zoom, otherwise you'd lose the benefit of WA if you had to increase the internal lens's focal length to eliminate vignetting. Tell us more about your adaptor(s)?

[JaimeLynn]

Both the Tele and WA are 52mm and my camara is a 72mm (I think) so, I have a tube adaptor about 2.5 inches long and then a conversion ring. I think the conversion is the problem but don't want to go buy another lense with, lets say, a 62mm close end and find that that doesn't correct my problem. I have to have a tube adaptor I think, b/c the camara lense pokes out when I zoom.

[Mike63]

It sounds as though you are using the factory adapter, if so it will place the step ring and lens to far from the panny lens. Do a search on here for adapters, there are several different brands. A popular adapter is the C-ring.

Check out this link.
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-CRing-Adapter-Panasonic-FZ10-FZ15-and-FZ20-JKC_W0QQitemZ150073212880QQihZ005QQcategoryZ15215Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[LoveLife]

Both the Tele and WA are 52mm and my camara is a 72mm (I think) so, I have a tube adaptor about 2.5 inches long and then a conversion ring. I think the conversion is the problem but don't want to go buy another lense with, lets say, a 62mm close end and find that that doesn't correct my problem. I have to have a tube adaptor I think, b/c the camara lense pokes out when I zoom.

Not every lens will work correctly with the FZ20. Here are some actual pictures done with the CRing adapter and an assortment of lenses.
http://lovelife.smugmug.com/gallery/543892
Could you identify the add-on lenses and method of attachment?

[genece]

As Lovelife said he sells an Adapter for the FZ20 and its a very good one I am going to use a photo of a different adapter just because its easier for me to do.
There is no way to attach a lens to the yellow area of this photo.
And as I said in my PM you remove all the Panasonic supplied parts including the pink ring.
And then the pictured adapter or Lovelifes adapter will thread on where the pink ring was removed. and the threads exposed when the ring is removed are 64mm.
And then you lens will thread into that adapter or a stepring attached to the adapter. ( well lovelive uses the adapter and a Cring.)

[Razr]

I'm new to real photography (I have been using point-and-shoots up until this point). A few months ago I purchased the Panasonic FZ20 and just got a telephoto and macro wide angle for Christmas.

When I put either of them on I get vignetting (a black circle around the edge) and I'm not sure if it's because the lenses are too small (the camara lens is 72mmThe Panasonic FZ20 OEM adapter is 72mm and fits over the threaded (body) end of our FZ20 cameras.

Of all the present adapters (I own three varieties) for the FZ-20/30/50, the 2-piece Phayee adapter has proven to be the most versatile.…and the lenses are both 52mm at the close end) or if I should just zoom in to "crop out" the black.As has already been noted, you want an adapter which will let the lens set closest to the front pupil of the LEICA lens on our FZ cameras, thereby reducing the amount you must zoom to eliminate vignetting.
Zooming out will help most times but what you want is an adapter that minimizes vignetting.
For example, this exact set up shown here:
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/amerbiodynamics@sbcglobal.net/album/576460762381792001 will allow your (my) FZ20 to zoom from 6X to 12X without vignetting, but the camera must be set (through the menu) on “Digital conversion-“T” mode.
If you mount that setup on an FZ without dialing in the conversion mode, you will get severe vignetting from 1X to 6X.
On the other hand, the WA lens shown has a 62mm thred and matches up exactly with the front pupil of the Leica lens, with sterling image results.If I keep these lenses will I be disappointed?Likely. They may be inferior lenses (most under $90 are, in particular cheap WA lenses).Should I be looking for lenses with a larger close end? Can you recomend any under the $200 mark?Any WA or Tele in the OLYMPUS brand, the Olympus T-CON 1.7 Tele (55mm base) being preferred, though PANASONIC makes a hideously expensive Tele for their FZ cameras. Nikon also makes another, slightly superior Tele but again, you get hosed on the price and as reliable tests have proven, the differences between the two are not worth the $300 difference.Also, what should I be weary of when buying "no-name" products off ebay?2-piece (WA & Tele) lens sets selling for under $60.