Adapter help please

[Mike C.]

Taking the advice of many on this forum, I decided to purchase the FZ20 about 5 months ago.

I love it! Friends and relative rave about the pictures I now take. Actually, I am sure my photographic skills have not improved. I just take a lot more photos and only print the best ones.

Several co-workers have purchased the cameras I was originally contemplating ($300 - $400 range smaller pocket cameras). Not one has been please with their choice. All have complained about the limitations on there units. Sure the FZ has some limitations (my boss spent $3000 and still complains about the limitations of his camera) but of the price I am well pleased!

My only problem is that I forget to take the large adapter / hood off the front of the camera when taking flash pictures indoors. Thus I get a circular shadow on the bottom of my photos. I use the large hood because it keeps on a filter I purchased (72mm) … have never used the tulip hood.

Is there a smaller hood / adapter I can use so I can leave it on all the time with a filter? I see several on the market but don’t know what the difference in them is?

Also, I am considering a wide angle (and possibly a telephoto) lens. Any suggestions which are best suited for this camera?

Thanks again to everyone who convinced me this was a great camera!

Mike :)

[jaynads]

My only problem is that I forget to take the large adapter / hood off the front of the camera when taking flash pictures indoors. Thus I get a circular shadow on the bottom of my photos. I use the large hood because it keeps on a filter I purchased (72mm) … have never used the tulip hood.

Is there a smaller hood / adapter I can use so I can leave it on all the time with a filter? I see several on the market but don’t know what the difference in them is?

Also, I am considering a wide angle (and possibly a telephoto) lens. Any suggestions which are best suited for this camera?


Try: http://www.pemaraal.com/fz10ac.html

I have the PA55H (comes with a lens hood that stores "invisibly") and I never take it off. I have had no problems using the flash. Best of all, filters are much cheaper than with the 72mm adaptor that comes with the camera. It's aluminum (not plastic - although they sell those, too), and looks nice on the camera.

I also recommend getting the tethered lens cap - it's nice never having to worry about losing it!

[andyn]

Why not try an add on flash - it should give you much much better flash pictures and should overcome the shadow problem. There's lots of advice on this site about flashguns but its worth trying old second hand mid range flashes as tons of old manual SLRs used the regular hot shoe connection which the FZ20 does. There are tons of these around for next to nothing. I am using a 1970s Vivitar gun which works well and have just ordered a s/h Jessops flash, with a secondary fill in, from a private seller on e-bay (not too expensive......£1.74!). UPDATE - there are dangers with some old flashguns - have a look at http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html before using one.

[genece]

There is nothing wrong with the other adapter mentioned.

I just wanted to add that a lot depends on whatadd on lenses you are thinking about as the lens work better with no stepdown ring.

This is a good 62mm adapter. And if you Email him he will give you a price on lens and filters if you get them together.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43441&item=3865219929

And if your considering Raynox lenses this is an adapter to consider
http://www.bugeyedigital.com/product_index/index001-camera_acc-ad_panasonic.html

To get rid of the shadow you just need to zoom in a bit. (bad for redeye)

[Model Tug]

I am using the PHAYEE adapter from jinfinance on E Bay.
Excellent craftsmanship construction. All metal and looks great!

Model Tug