Filter, Adapter Rings & Lensmate ?'s

O.K,

1st
I know I need a Lensmate or equivelant type lens tube. What is the difference between the Lensmate and the lens tube offered by 2Filters.com for the G2? If none, why would I buy a Lensmate @ $26.50 ($22 + 4.50 S&H)
instead of a 2Filter.com lens tube at $14.34 w/free shipping? Is there any appreciative difference? (I know the Lensmate is the same color as the G2 so let's not go there) Also, the tubes offered by 2filter.com are available in sizes 46.5mm - 58mm. Any thoughts on which is preferable? I would think bigger is better.....

2nd
I've heard from several sources that B+W filters are top notch and you get what you pay for. I see they are brass construction vs the aluminum for Hoya. Other than that, the Hoya SMC/SMC Pro UV seems to be highly regarded as well. Any thoughts? Also, does a G2 require a circular polarizer or a conventional polarizing filter?

3rd
Any pointers on lens cleaning? I saw the LensPen at the LensMate site and it looked interesting. I also read the testing report (very dry) that the site posts. Anybody have any experience with this set-up?

Thanks,

I've wondered the same thing - I actually did go out and buy the conversion lens adapter (LA-DC58) before I knew the Lensmate existed and it seems to work fine. I did a lot of traditional film photography with the EOS cameras so the LA-DC-58 accepts all my old filters.

Is the LA-DC-58 a 58mm wide tube as compared to the LensMates 49mm?

Yes, it is 58mm. From reading some of the other posts, I guess an advantage of using the Lensmate over the LADC-58 is that the Lensmate blocks less of the built-in flash. That hasn't been a problem for me since I use the 420EX flash (another item I previously got for my film camera).

I called John at 2filters.com because their web site showed their tubes available in diameters from 46.5mm - 58mm. He said that unless you are insistant on the champagne color, a 52mm tube has a wider variety of filters available.

For instance, the only quality Hoya multi-coated filter available for the 49mm Lensmate is the $38.00 Super Pro UV MC which he thought was overkill. He said I could get the Hoya Super Multi-coated (SMC) for $19.00 which was a far better buy for the $'s.

With me using the 420EX, the bigger tube is not an issue.

Roscoedawg

Further research.....

After doing a search on other forums on lens tubes, I've come to the following conclusion:

I would go with whatever diameter lens tube meets your needs, as long as you can get the filters and lens adapters for it.

With a 58mm tube the Canon lens adapters will fit, with a 49mm tube the LensMate adapters will fit. There's been a lot of debate about igniting as it relates from one size of wide-angle lens adapter vs. another. I'm not smart enough about that yet to make any since of it. I've heard the wider the diameter of the lens, the better, which would push me toward the 58mm tubes.

Conversely, I've read that some don't like the fact that the 58mm tubes block more of the optical viewfinder (who uses it anyway?) and that the tube impacts the effectiveness of the AF light. (If this is the case, why did Canon make their tube 58mm? To sell lenses?)

As for as the argument that the Canon 58mm tube is plastic, you can buy an aluminum 58mm from 2filters.com for less than $15.00.


Roscoedawg

"I've read that some don't like the fact that the 58mm tubes block more of the optical viewfinder (who uses it anyway?) "

I've read recommendations that you should use the viewfinder in low light because holding the camear up againts your face tends to be a more stable way of holding the camera and hence reduces camera shake / blurry exposures.

Also, the viewfinder sucks up battery juice. If you are cheap like me, you only have one battery.