Canon vs Raynox

[pepedog]

g series newbie (and devotee)
Anyone have an opinion or info on wide angle conversion lenses for the G9, in regards to quality preference?? Pricing seems near equal between the 2. I am determined to buy one.
Please advise!! Or i'll be flippin a coin.

Thanks to all.

[macroshot]

I went through the same process last year and settled on the Canon WC-DC58B. Bought a Lensmate G7/G9 58mm adapter that stays on it as well. The Canon wide converter is a HUGE chunk of glass and weighs about the same as my G7. I haven't used it a lot because I bought late in the fall and don't want to carry it outside in the winter (I carry the G7 in my pocket when I'm out for a walk).

It does take crystal clear photos and allows me to get right into whatever it is I want a photo of in macro-mode, so for me it works great. I am taking it on vacation soon and plan on using it extensively. I also purchased the teleconverter -- it takes very clear photos at maximum optical zoom.

One thing though -- no front threading on the Canons, so if you want to use filters (82mm I think on the Raynox) don't buy the Canon WC. Hope this helps.

[Savas K]

I found the Canon version sharper around the periphery as compared to a Raynox HD7000. Though the Raynox does have the front threads. On the other hand, a quality 82 mm filter costs almost as much as the G9. I wished all these lenses had hood options.

[cecicela]

How funny, I was logging on to ask this very question! I hope you don't mind me piggybacking on your questions.

I was looking at the wide angle and teleconverter lenses from Canon and Raynox and can't figure out why it seems like so many people have gone with the Raynox. Is it mainly because of the front threads? Is there a way to put a polarizer on the Canon lenses that I'm missing?

[macroshot]

No go for a CPL on the Canon lens. Unless you rigged something to mount on the front of that almost 4" wide lens...

[macroshot]

Here are links to an excellent company that handle newer G- and S-series camera accessories like adapters, lenses, and filters and show you the differences between some of the WC & TC options for the G7/G9 (if that's your model).

http://www.lensmateonline.com/

http://www.lensmateonline.com/newsite/G7.html

[cecicela]

Here are links to an excellent company that handle newer G- and S-series camera accessories like adapters, lenses, and filters and show you the differences between some of the WC & TC options for the G7/G9 (if that's your model).

http://www.lensmateonline.com/

http://www.lensmateonline.com/newsite/G7.html

Thanks macroshot! I do have a G9.

I've been studying the lensmate site quite a bit in the last week or so, but I'm still pretty new to all of this so figuring things out is a bit confusing, to say the least!:o

I finally went down yesterday and talked to the people at my local camera store and they highly recommended the Canon over the Raynox, but it sounds like many are purchasing the Raynox at a higher price and I wasn't sure why.

It sounds like the ability to use a filter on the Raynox is the primary advantage. Is this fair, or are there other advantages of the Raynox I'm missing because of my cluelessness? :)

[macroshot]

Ah yes, and I was very close to spending the extra money on the Raynox but what ultimately decided it was that if I was going to start dropping all kinds of $$$ on these lenses AND start buying 58mm AND 82mm filters, then I was kind of missing the concept of keeping it simple (although some would argue I have already missed that boat).

I have two G-series cameras (G7 & G2) and 58mm adapters for both and I just have the B+W Circular Polarizer & Graduated ND filters anyway so I feel that I made the best choice until the day I move to a DSLR.

I am very happy with the clarity of both my Canon WC & TC lenses. I am very interested in the Raynox DCR-250 for macro as well. They both have their advantages. Filter-ready is a big plus.

[pepedog]

How funny, I was logging on to ask this very question! I hope you don't mind me piggybacking on your questions.

I was looking at the wide angle and teleconverter lenses from Canon and Raynox and can't figure out why it seems like so many people have gone with the Raynox. Is it mainly because of the front threads? Is there a way to put a polarizer on the Canon lenses that I'm missing?

Usurper!! ;)

In fact, your questions came into my head after my original post. Helpful indeed! Thanks for opinions and info,all.

[ErikB]

How funny, I was logging on to ask this very question! I hope you don't mind me piggybacking on your questions.

I was looking at the wide angle and teleconverter lenses from Canon and Raynox and can't figure out why it seems like so many people have gone with the Raynox. Is it mainly because of the front threads? Is there a way to put a polarizer on the Canon lenses that I'm missing?

well, you can use the ND filter to help a bit, not quite the same, but better than nothing.

[BottomBracket]

You won't go wrong with either Canon or Raynox, both have excellent products. I have tried both, and I went with Raynox because I has a better deal at the time. To muddy things further though, you might want to look at the Olympus converters too, they are excellent.

[Jannie]

What is the 35mm equivalent of the Canon wide angle adapter at full wide?
Jannie

[MarKap77]

To the heart of the question, I went with the Raynox wide angle lens because it is .7X compared to the Canon which is .75X. I bought the Canon lens and when I got it home wasn't impressed with the increase in field of view, so I took it back and bought the Raynox.

The Raynox does give more distortion, but then I kind of like that. Makes some interesting images. I mount it on the Canon plastic mount, since I bought it at the time I bought the Canon lens. Haven't gotten around to getting the Lensmate adapter. Just hasn't seemed necessary.

Jannie: the 35mm equivalent is 26.25mm for the Canon (.75 x 35) and 24.5 for the Raynox (.7 x 35).

And Raynox makes several even wider converter lenses. Click here (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?shs=raynox&ci=0&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=productlist.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t) to see some on the B&H website.

[NixyJ]

HI All,

I'm just going through the same debates as above re the Canon vs Raynox 6600 vs Raynox 7000...and wondered if anyone had any new thoughts or experiences since the last post - I am SO stuck - I really can't make up my mind.

I want to be able to add filters\polarisers but can't tell if
a) I can only go for the 6600,
b) if the 7000 has a front thread or
c) if I need to sandwich between the adapter and the lens
and
d) What is the difference between the Raynox DCR-6600 and the Raynox HD-6600...I'm so confused!!!

I can't find a pro\con comparison anywhere really (apart from the brief section on www.lensmate.com)

I'm a real newbie, completely bitten by the G9 bug and getting some decent shots but struggling a bit - I like taking a lot of panoramic, architectural shots in changing light...
the main thing is I don't have the knowledge to truly evaluate the reviews being given out there!

Any help- would be very gratefully received! Thank you!

[MrChad]

Wow, glad I jumped on this thread; I was going to order the Canon adapter for our PowerShot A650 IS, but I just pushed the button on the all metal Lensmate adapter for the same price for the A650 IS.

Now, the other question I have. Are the shells to the Canon or Raynox threaded lenses metal or plastic?

I was intending to purchase the Canon lenses, but if the Raynox are all metal and able to accept filters that may change my opinion. I have a bunch of 77mm filters for my SLR lenses so buying a step-up/down ring for the Raynox lenses would be a cheap no brainer.

[Mr.Wes]

NixyJ, not only is there the Raynox dcr-6600, the hd-6600, but I've also found a srw-6600 which is about $10 less it seems. I just can't determine if one particular model is best suited for the g9 and what the differences are between the models. All of these have front threads for mounting filters/hood which is an advantage over the canon wc. All of the raynox models are made of the same quality glass/coatings it seems...so what's the diff? I don't know.

To add to the list of questions and to add to what NixyJ asked...is it appropriate/possible to sandwich the 58mm filter between the adapter and tele/wideconverter? (This would make Canon's lenses even more attractive...except you still can't mount a hood) Or would doing this mess up the optics and distort image quality?