FZ20 newbie - couple of questions

[Meanteam]

Hi, my FZ20 arrived yesterday! :)

I have a couple of questions.

I've read lots in the past about buying a protective filter. If I was to buy the Panny filter - DMW-LMC72, would this require the use of the adapter ring that comes with the camera? With the filter fitted, would I still be able to use the lens cap that comes with the camera or would I need to keep removing the filter every time I want to put the cap on, or alternatively leave it with the filter exposed?

I made a couple of sample movies indoors last night and transferred them to the PC. Is it normal for there to be a certain amount of background noise? The video quality is excellent but the audio seems far noisier than movies created with the Fuji Finepix 6800 I've just upgraded from. Movies created with the Fuji had no noise whatsoever. I've tried viewing sample FZ20 movies on the net but they are all taken outdoors so it is difficult to tell if the noise is there although I suspect it is. It's not too obtrusive and the video quality is excellent, I just want to be sure this is normal to the camera and that I don't have an issue with mine! :)

Cheers in advance for any advice.

[genece]

I've read lots in the past about buying a protective filter. If I was to buy the Panny filter - DMW-LMC72, would this require the use of the adapter ring that comes with the camera? With the filter fitted, would I still be able to use the lens cap that comes with the camera or would I need to keep removing the filter every time I want to put the cap on, or alternatively leave it with the filter exposed?

If you choose to do it that way you would need a 72mm cap, they are available most anywhere.

Most people do not like the Idea of having the filter that far from the camera lens but some people do it that way.
If you have no desire to add other lenses you may find this a better less expensive way to add filters.

http://www.nextphoto.net/FZ20.htm

As for the sound in the movies you are not the first person to mention that, but I have not noticed it, but I take very few movies.
Maybe someone else can help with that.

[Tyler]

Hi, my FZ20 arrived yesterday! :)

I have a couple of questions.

I've read lots in the past about buying a protective filter. If I was to buy the Panny filter - DMW-LMC72, would this require the use of the adapter ring that comes with the camera? With the filter fitted, would I still be able to use the lens cap that comes with the camera or would I need to keep removing the filter every time I want to put the cap on, or alternatively leave it with the filter exposed?


Many people tend to agree that putting the Panasonic 72mm filter on the end of the lens hood adapter is a pretty bad idea. It sits too far away from the lens on the camera and can cause problems with reflections on the lens and on the filter. This will in turn show up in your photos. If you have no intention of adding tele-conversion lenses you might consider the solution that nextphoto offers. They have a little snap-in ring that fits inside the FZ20 lens and will allow you to use a variety of common 52mm & 55mm filters available at camera shops everywhere.

http://www.nextphoto.net/FZ20.htm

If you still decide to go the 72mm filter approach you will need to either remove it to use the existing lens cap or purchase an additional lens cap to fit the 72mm filter. Leaving the filter exposed exposes -you- to having to clean the filter more oftern to remove dust.