Canon Wide Angle WCDC58N - No Filter Thread?

[carrigman]

As far as I can establish, the WCDC58N does not have a filter thread. This to my mind is a significant drawback and enough to put me off buying one for my G5. If nothing else, a skylight filter should be a standard piece of kit for every photograpoher in order to protect the lens and a Polariser and ND Grad should be the other two must haves. If the 58N cannot accommodate filters why bother buying one?

[FlyingPete]

You might be able to put one between the adaptor and teleconverter, granted this is no good for lens protection, not sure what it does for a polariser.

I remember days of old where big glass has a slot in the rear of then lens for filters to save you buying a 100mm+ filter for the front. Not sure if this is still a feature in modern lenses.

[Andy_T]

If the 58N cannot accommodate filters why bother buying one?

Because a wide angle photograph might be more important for you than sticking something in front of the lens.

Sometimes, you must make compromises.
You don't *have* to, actually. Just say that 35 mm is wide enough for you.

Best regards,
Andy

[Deckyon]

You know, having owned the WC-DC58N, I had no problems with usiing it w/out any kind of filter in front.

Both the TC-DC58N and WC-DC58N were designed specifically for the G3/5. They were designed to work the best when there was no other equipment. Adding filters in front or behind (possible, not recommended, especially w/ a polarizer) only end up causing vignetting. the TC-DC58N shows vignetting except when at full telephoto. It was designed that way.

The WC-DC58N gives NO VIGNETTING whatsoever when at full wide. However, adding a filter between the lens and WC causes vignetting that stays with you almost halfway through the zoom... Not worth it.

Both the lenses are superb and I have never had problems with using them without filters. All you have to do is pay more attention to what you are doing, your environment and where you are pointing the camera. Putting a "skylight" (I perfer UV - no color shifting) in front of the lenses is only a guideline, like the "Law of thirds."

I highly recommend these lenses to increase the useability and capability of the G3/5.

[carrigman]

Hmmm. I think I'll stick with the fixed lens and forget about the wide-angle attachment. I don't like the idea of using a lens without at least a UV/Skylight filter attached in order to protect the valuable glass. If the filter gets smudged then it's easily wiped clean with whatever's available whereas you gotta be very careful when cleaning a lens. Thanks for the feedback folks.

John