FZ5 lenses and filters

[JN99]

Sorry if this has been covered before, but due to the limitations of this site's search engine (it won't allow 'fz5' as part of the search) it's hard to find anything specific to this camera.

I am wondering what experiences people have had using filters and lenses for this camera. I've seen some kits on ebaY but wonder if they aren't so cheap (~$100 for telephoto lens, wide lens, and some filters etc.) as to result in lousy picture quality.

Has anyone here used any filters or lenses with the FZ5 and if so what are have your results been? Any opinions on the kits offered on ebaY? Also if there are any known resources for researching and purchasing lenses please post them here; I'd love to extend the range of this camera but don;t want to waste money on lenses if the results will be poor.

Lastly, as for usage of filters and lenses, I am assuming they are simply threaded onto the included adapter, is that correct or are different adapters used to accomodate different lenses. Any and all help is much appreciated!

JN

[RCCI]

Here is a good place to look for information on the Telephoto lens

http://www.cs.mtu.edu/~shene/DigiCam/User-Guide/FZ-10/Converters/Lenses/Telephoto.html

Some will match right up to your adapter and some may require a stepup or a stepdown ring.

For a Macro filter, I would recommend either the Nikon 3T or 4T. This filter is a 52mm filter so you would need a step down ring to mount this to your 55mm threads. This is a duel lens filter and will give you much better quality than the macro lens that are just one piece of glass.

[LoveLife]

Sorry if this has been covered before, but due to the limitations of this site's search engine (it won't allow 'fz5' as part of the search) it's hard to find anything specific to this camera.

I am wondering what experiences people have had using filters and lenses for this camera. I've seen some kits on ebaY but wonder if they aren't so cheap (~$100 for telephoto lens, wide lens, and some filters etc.) as to result in lousy picture quality.

Has anyone here used any filters or lenses with the FZ5 and if so what are have your results been? Any opinions on the kits offered on ebaY? Also if there are any known resources for researching and purchasing lenses please post them here; I'd love to extend the range of this camera but don;t want to waste money on lenses if the results will be poor.

Lastly, as for usage of filters and lenses, I am assuming they are simply threaded onto the included adapter, is that correct or are different adapters used to accomodate different lenses. Any and all help is much appreciated!

YES

JN



Here is my site with different third party lenses on a FZ10. The results on the FZ5 may be slightly different because the accessory is placed a bit further away from the lens then 3rd party adapters for the FZ10, 15 and 20 units. One member reported that he had problems with a Tcon 17 because of recessed threads on the Panasonic adapter. He ground down the adapter front to give the lens a better fit.

http://lovelife.smugmug.com/gallery/543892 (http://lovelife.smugmug.com/gallery/543892)

[meillana]

@lovelife

noticed that you have a DCR6600 PRO
am thinking of getting the same wide angle converter... are you using the raynox adapter with it? any problems?
your pics taken with it all look very sharp and have color depth so am assuming they work swell. your thoughts?

you also have the wcon (i presume this an oly unit)? how does it compare to the raynox? (am still scrutinizing the posted images)

tia.

[LoveLife]

@lovelife

noticed that you have a DCR6600 PRO
am thinking of getting the same wide angle converter... are you using the raynox adapter with it? any problems?
your pics taken with it all look very sharp and have color depth so am assuming they work swell. your thoughts?

you also have the wcon (i presume this an oly unit)? how does it compare to the raynox? (am still scrutinizing the posted images)

tia.

The posted images tell all. Pay attention to the corners as the zoom reduces the wide-angle. I did not care for any of the adapters for the Panasonic FZ10, 15 or 20 because of step-down rings. Therefore, I designed my own which goes on sale net month. My adapter is different from all the rest. Now when was the last time you heard that? It really is. My CRing adapter with it special CRings can support 52,55,58 and 62mm accessories as if it were made for that size. Therefore, I get the closest fit possible with all accessories.
http://lovelife.smugmug.com/photos/25844185-L.jpg
The DCR6600 vignettes in one corner at 1X and as you zoom in it spreads to four corners. I do not mind fixing them in PP because the image is bright, sharp with almost no distortion. I will be using all these pictures to sell my CRing adapter with Olympus and Raynox lenses.

[meillana]

hey, that's an interesting piece! would you already have an idea how much your adapter would cost in production?

[LoveLife]

hey, that's an interesting piece! would you already have an idea how much your adapter would cost in production?

The adapter by itself, which supports 62mm, would be about $35.00. The first 55 or 52mm CRing and insertion key not shown about $18.50, subsequent rings, you need only one key, about $16.00. If you were starting out you would buy filters and hama 3 stage collapsible rubber hood in 62mm, which does not need the CRing. The Tcon14B and Wcon08b Nikon 5T AND 6T are also in 62mm. If you wanted to add any additional accessories in 52mm 55mm or 58mm, due in 2 months, you would purchase CRings. Every lens fits the adpater without any offset.

[JN99]

So has anyone any opinion on the telephoto lenses sold on ebay? Any idea how theses compare with the likes of Nikon, Canon, Miolta, etx. reviewed in the link above?

[LoveLife]

So has anyone any opinion on the telephoto lenses sold on ebay? Any idea how theses compare with the likes of Nikon, Canon, Miolta, etx. reviewed in the link above?
Some are good some are poor. Which one are you interested it?

[JN99]

The ones I have seen either have no brand specified, or I have seen Opteka and Kenko. prices seem to range anywhere from around $40 to a kit with telephoto, macro and accesories for around $140.

[LoveLife]

If you want to take a chance, you should buy it. It will attach to the camera and magnify the image by 2X the law requires that. The results are a different story. Unless you know of someone who is not a shill purchased the item and can display large, at least 8x10 images, it is a crapshoot. Why do you think you need to go 2X or better? Unless you are after birds or in the spy business, that magnification is overkill. I would save my money and get a Tcon14B used or a DCR1540 for about $118.00. They are about 1.4 and 1.5 magnifications. If you were only going to buy one TC for this camera, it should be the TCON14B



Shooting with anyone’s 2X TC is difficult and unless you are supper rock steady, you will not have a crisp sharp image. You will need a tripod. The OIS is not very effective these that magnification.

[JN99]

I had not planned on going 2x or more, perhaps 2x at most (which it seems the majority of lenses on ebay are) but I see that as overkill. I am looking for the lens to give me the ability to get some shots of aircraft taking off and landing at DFW but not knowing if I'll have any luck I thought I'd try a cheaper converter.

[LoveLife]

I had not planned on going 2x or more, perhaps 2x at most (which it seems the majority of lenses on ebay are) but I see that as overkill. I am looking for the lens to give me the ability to get some shots of aircraft taking off and landing at DFW but not knowing if I'll have any luck I thought I'd try a cheaper converter.
I am going to put you in touch with a fellow that has takeoffs and landings down to an art form. His name is Mike and he uses the FZ. mighty_mike88@hotmail.com He can answer all your questions. Tell him LoveLife suggested him to you. Let me know how things work out you can reach me at lovelife@att.net


HTH

LoveLife

[patenaud]

Hey.

I bought one of those "packages" on ebay and the lense did not work with my FZ5. It was a Merkury lense and you'll find my post here somewhere on my experience. They took back the items and gave me a full refund. They just pick a cheap lense a market it for the FZ5 but they obviously don't test. Went to Henry's paid for a good lense and it works lie magic now. I get vignetting until the 4x indicator on the camera and then it disappears, which is fine with me since if I'm going to use the lense I'm going to be goig full zoom most of the time....I can't remember exactly what the Canon model is but if you look at my post you'll see it there...

Denis