Canon G5 - Digital Optics lens - GOOD OR BAD ? :)

[zakmckracken]

First of all, hello everyone, new member here

I have a Canon Powershot G5, I upgraded from G2. I kept my Canon 250D lens, and sold the G2 with its lens converter.

I recently bought an Ebay lens/filters package deal, called Digital Optics.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=3820269807

I realize that this is a lower end product, but I would like to know HOW BAD it is, and if anyone had any good experience with it.

What can go wrong when taking pictures with those lens/filters ? Can the image be fixed in photoshop after ? Can the sharpness of the pictures be worsen because of low quality lens ?

Any help would be much appreciated

If anyone using the same type of lens, I'd really like to hear from their experience.

Thank you

[d'Lord]

You get what you pay for. These cheap glass will never rival big-brand optics like Canon or Olympus. It really depends on what is acceptable to you.

I own a "Titanium" series 2x teleconverter bought off eBay at a very reasonable price, and I'm happy with it so far. Of course, Canon's original TC-DC58N will definitely give better sharpness, definition and overall quality. But in terms of *usefullness* and price/performance, I think the cheap glass serves me very well.

Problems like CA and softness around the edges are less well-controlled in the cheaper glass, but that is not to say that it isn't present in the more expensive Canon's teleconverter.

Many people frown at these cheap teleconverters. But I say if it's only what you can afford, go ahead and get it and go outside and take your photos. The quality of these cheap teleconverters are most definitely "useable" even though nowhere near "good". People who frown upon these cheaper lenses are usually those who can afford the more expensive glass - just like the people who own dSLRs and make the G5's high ISO noise sound like something totally unusable.

Of course, if you can afford better glass, go for the Canon's TC-DC58N and WC-DC58N. Olympus' TCON-17 has got pretty good reviews too.

Happy shooting!

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[pradeep1]

If you are happy with your images, that's all that matters. However, if you are doing something where you need the highest quality, then consider buying the good glass.

[Sailare]

I purchased the Digital Optics wide angle, telephoto and filter set last summer.

The biggest problem is the 37mm size. Just not big enough. It intrudes two much. By the time you crop, you are back to a regular shot.

the wide angle is reasonable, but the telephoto is only sharp in the center 1/3 of the frame. Very poor. I paid $ 69 for the lens pair and an additional $19 or $29 for the three filter set. That was the biggest waste of money. again because of the 37mm adapter intruding into the frame.

These lens are probably meant for a video camera, where there is no adapter and the clarity problems would not be noticed because of the lower picture quality to begin with.

Initially, I thought I got what I paid for, but now that the novelty has worn off, I rarely use them.

Go 52mm to 58mm. Pay a little more or don't go at all.

[s00pcan]

Originally Posted by Sailare

The biggest problem is the 37mm size. Just not big enough.

My friend uses his 37mm camcorder fisheye on his a60. On a camcorder you can't see all the problems the lens has as much (unsharp at the sides, tons of CA) but on a high resolution digital camera you can. That's why the official canon adaptor is 52mm. There aren't many 37mm lenses meant for anything but low res video. I tried using my 37mm fisheye on my g3 and was really surprized at how bad the quality is.

As for whether or not I've used any of the cheap ebay lenses, I have one. I paid $40 for some no-name fisheye lens (I think it's a sakar though) and it is usable, but not too great. Lots of CA and it's all around not very sharp. It is always unusually blurry on the edges. The worst problem is that it has a 46mm thread and a series 7 thread + stepping rings, which means it is too small for my g3. Zooming past the vignetting doesn't help much. Even though I now have a high quality raynox wide angle, I think I will use this one again sometimes.

[zakmckracken]

Originally Posted by Sailare

I purchased the Digital Optics wide angle, telephoto and filter set last summer..

Can you please send me an image or two taken with the Digital Optics lens to get an idea of what to expect.


If possible only. Thanks a lot.

[zakmckracken]

Originally Posted by Sailare

I purchased the Digital Optics wide angle, telephoto and filter set last summer.
The biggest problem is the 37mm size. Just not big enough. It intrudes two much. By the time you crop, you are back to a regular shot.
Go 52mm to 58mm. Pay a little more or don't go at all.

How do you know they are 37mm in size ?

In the picture I can see a 52mm written on the adapter, am I missing something ? What is 37mm ? The actual lens ?

http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sel...BLWCAMPERF.jpg


Thanks again for all the help

[s00pcan]

We're saying that most of their lenses are 37mm and are meant for camcorders. I guess not all of them are.

[zakmckracken]

Well... I will test them after I get the shipment, and let you all guys know how they are.

It seemed a good deal for this price.... As for the quality, we'll see


Thanks to all that replied.