Filter positions

[Muzza]

Guys, am looking at buying the Lensmate 52mm adapter and WidaAngle converter.
I will also get some 52mm UV and Polarising filters to fit onto the adapter.
I will be using the adapter only, with filter most of the time.

One question (I am new to converters).
Can I use the Adapter with (say) a 52mm UV filter fitted and then screw in the Wideangle converter ? Or, must I always place the filter onto the converter only ?

Mechanically, there would be no issue doing this and lens protection (of the Wideangle converter) aside.

A question of whether I will need to buy an additional set of 72mm filters for the Raynox DCR 6600PRO WideAngle

Assistance appreciated.

[slayer]

You normally put the filter on the lens and not the other way around... the purpose of the uv filter is to filter the uv before the rays hits the lens.

[Muzza]

Wouldn't the filter work regardless of where it is as long as the light is filtered before the sensor ?.
Yes, i know that end-of-lens is the norm, but, it that because of the effect of UV through the lenses is an issue ??

[sdommin]

The question is: why do you want the UV filter between your add-on lens and the camera? Unless I'm reading this wrong, the UV would serve no purpose there (I believe the UV serves no purpose anyway, but that's another topic). Is it just that you want to leave the UV on and not bother with storing it when you put on the wide angle lens? I'm not sure that the extra distance taken up by the filter is what you want. It might cause vignetting, or maybe not allow the lens to focus properly.

[Muzza]

I am just checking the necessity of spending $$ on:-
52mm filters to mount on the adapter sleeve when not using any converters.
67mm filters for the tele converter
72mm filters for the wideangle

Didn't wish to spend all those $$$ and then find it was not strictly necessary to have the filters in front (i.e. mounting the filters between the adapter and converter is OK) and hence one set of 52mm would be all that is required.

Seems to me that it could cause vignetting or focus probs but thought I would ask..... I am new to this stuff... hoping for confirmation.

[HungryWriter]

The question is: why do you want the UV filter between your add-on lens and the camera? Unless I'm reading this wrong, the UV would serve no purpose there (I believe the UV serves no purpose anyway, but that's another topic).

This is new news to me as I'm trying to figure out what other things to purchase to build up my G6. I had UV filter on my list and now would rather put the money on other extras if a filter is not really important.

[8bit Barry]

YOu would be better off getting a filter system possibly. Hitech filters availabe from Teamwork (do a web search) are quality filters and cheap as well, get yourself a Cokin P filter holder and then some Cokin rings for each lens, one for each lens size. You could do the whole lot for not a lot indeed.

[sdommin]

This is new news to me as I'm trying to figure out what other things to purchase to build up my G6. I had UV filter on my list and now would rather put the money on other extras if a filter is not really important.

Some people buy a UV filter just to protect their lens from scratches and other damage. A UV filter is of very little value for anything else. I've used G-Series cameras and other cameras for years with no filters of any kind and never had any damage to a lens. If you take reasonable care of your equipment, you won't have any problems.

Many people like polarizing filters, but I don't use those, either (I think they're OK if you need to photograph something with a lot of reflections, like something through glass, but I think the effect for outdoor scenic shots is too unrealistic. But that's just me.)

Everyone writes in these forums something like, "I just got my G6, what else do I need to buy?" The truth is that you can take excellent pictures with no accessories at all (except maybe for a higher capacity compact flash card!!).

[dbump]

Very interesting article on the efficiency of several UV filters:
http://www.photo.net/equipment/filters/

I haven't found any other good info on how useful UV filters actually are, aside from simple statements to the effect that they are/are not. Anyone have more info?

My understanding is that the atmosphere filters out UV strongly enough that it's not a concern at low elevations, but that a filter can be beneficial at high elevations. Whether "high altitude" is the laughable 3000 feet definition from cookbooks, or something higher, I don't know. I frequently shoot above 9000 feet, so I use one. This weekend, I'll try to take some sample shots with and without.

Check to confirm that the tele/wide converters you're looking at have external threads--many do not.

One concern with a stacking a lens on top of a polarizer is that the filter can separate at the joint where the two pieces slide to rotate--they're not designed to handle weight.

[Ballen Photo]

Can I use the Adapter with (say) a 52mm UV filter fitted and then screw in the Wideangle converter ? Or, must I always place the filter onto the converter only ?
Mechanically, there would be no issue doing this
Personally, I wouldn't mount an auxillary lens to a filter simply because the filter frame and threads are not designed to handle the added torque applied to the filter housing if you accidentally bump it, even lightly. I read a discussion about this somewhere (sorry, I dont remember where.), and the general consensus was that mounting an accessory lens to the filter is a "No no".
-Bruce

[Muzza]

Thanks guys, that answers my questions and steers me in the right direction.
I will do some more reading on filters.
I have the 52mm Lensmates on the way now.
Looks like I will play with some 52mm filters and confirm effects of those.
I'll not mount the converters on the filter.
I will buy the 67mm and 72mm only if there is a benefit but will, likely, get one filter each anyway to serve as protection for the converters.

Thanks again for the volume, content and quality of the advice provided.