lens adapters????

Ok, I'm very new to this forum and just got my G6 about a month ago. I would really like to know what is the deal with
lens adapters?? Canon makes a 58mm one, but when I read the threads some have the 52mm and some have 58mm and most of you seem to buy from lensmate not Canon. It seems that some people buy them only to put a filter on them to protect the lens? Does the adapter get in the way of the flash? It seems to from the pics at lens mate? I assume it doesn't block the AF light on the G6. Anyways, if some kind person would explain why and if I need one or would want one and if it seems to me better to get the 58mm since that is what Canon makes. Sorry I'm just really green, but want to make the very most of my G6.

Joe

Joe,

There are several reasons for getting adapters. The reason many are getting the 52mm adapter (made by LensMate as Canon only makes the 58mm adapter) is, as you thought, to protect the lens with a filter. It protects in two ways: first, the glass element of the zoom lens is covered so it won't get scratched or get fingerprints on it. (Repeated cleaning of a lens is not too good for it.)

I had opted against the full-time adapter/filter because I am really careful with my equipment and wasn't that worried about something damaging the front element. Then, I read about the second reason: the aluminum LensMate adapter protects the lens from getting knocked off it's alignment. Apparently, it's pretty easy to damage the mechanism that extends the lens from the body and you get an error message. That, apparently requires repair by Canon. It is for this reason I did decide to get a 52mm adapter and UV filter to put on the camera at all times.

The adapters do block part of the built-in flash. With the 52mm adapter, the flash blockage is very noticeable at wide angle, somewhat noticeable at the mid-point in the zoom (looks like vignetting) and barely noticeable at longest telephoto setting. It would be worse with the 58mm adapter because of it's diameter. I use a 420EX flash so this isn't a factor to me.

In addition, the 52mm and the 58mm adapter can be used for teleconverter and wide angle adapter lenses. Canon's lenses have a 58mm thread (the reason their adapter is 58mm.) Other manufacturers make adapter lenses with differing threads which may work better with the LensMate 52mm adapter. (Some require step rings.)

The reason many people choose the LensMate adapters over the Canon's are that they are very well made and less expensive. There has been some debate on this forum as to whether Canon's adapters are plastic or aluminum, while the LenMate adapters are definitely aluminum. I haven't seen a Canon adapter so I can't answer that.

I have both the 58mm and the 52mm LensMate adapters. I will use the 52mm adapter with a filter to protect the lens and I use the 58mm adapter for my Canon wide angle and teleconverter lenses. (By the way, I actually bought two 58mm adapters so that I wouldn't have to keep screwing the lenses on and off. I keep one on each at all times and I just have to attach them to the camera when I use them. LensMate adapters are cheaper when you buy more than one.)

Hope this helps.

Michael

Michael,

Thanks for the excellent post! That really cleared up alot.
The only other question I can think of is, does the UV lens alter the picture in anyway?

Gratefully,

Joe

Yes it makes it look even better as it cuts though haze

I can confirm that the Canon is extremely high quality aluminum on both the Canon LA-DC58D and the lens hood LH-DC30. I believe the old G2/G3 adapter was plastic, but the G6 adapters is DEFINITLY Aluminum. I've seen both the Lensmate & Canon (which I have) and I felt the lensmate was not as good quality IMHO, it also does not match the camera. The Canon feels and looks like it was intended for the G6 (which it was specifically created for).

As stated in the previous post, it does block a good portion of the built in flash. However, typically you are going to use the adapter w/ filter during outdoor daylight where the flash is not necessary in most shooting. Indoor's you would not really want to have a UV or Polarizing filter on, so you can go back down to the stock configuration, but this still leaves the protection of lens glass and tube open. The correct solution is to add a 420EX ( which I have done )

Outdoors, I find that I use either
1.) the LH-DC30 lens hood, which protects the body, prevents stray light and the plastic hood is removable from the aluminum body with a 1/4 turn. It's only 41mm at it's widest without the plastic hood. and it still accepts the stock lens cap!
2.) Or I use the Canon LA-DC58D with a Hoya 58mm filter in hazy or bright outdoor shooting when flash is not necessary.
Indoors, I typically use the Lens Hood body and the 420EX or Just the stock configuration if I don't feel like going with a rig.

kring,

Thanks for straightening out the plastic/aluminum question on the Canon adapter but what do you mean by the Lensmate not matching the camera? In what way?

Michael

By not matching I'm strictly refering to the color/look of the adapter, it's color does not match the G6's slight beige tint of the camera's body, the lensmate adapter was more strait silver/gray. And in my opinion it looks like a generic adapter. Functionally it's perfect and that's why a lot of people use it. I personally tend to stick with genuine accessories, especially if we're only talking about $10.00. I got my adapter for $44.95 and the lensmate is $30 plus shipping.

Bosman, if you shoot outdoors much, I think you'd benefit from a polarizing filter. They're great for reducing reflections, as well as for deeper blue skies.

Just thought I'd throw this in to the mix:
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/​sm-feb-05.shtml
It's an argument against using a protective filter--granted, the author is assuming the equipment is a robust DSLR, not a fixed, telescoping lens like the G6, which is vulnerable to mechanical damage as Michael mentioned above. However, you could protect the lens assembly with just the adapter tube, and no UV filter mounted. Then, when you need to use a filter, you can mount it. The author also makes some good comments about the UV attenuation already built into modern lenses.

Regardless, I'd recommend spending extra for multi-coated filters. Check:
http://www.2filter.com​/faq/multicoatedfaq.ht​ml
I've never purchased from them, but the link is a good illustration of flare issues.

dbump,

That was my original thinking. Don't put an inexpensive piece of glass in front of an expensive lens. Then, I read about the mechanical damage and decided it was better to be safe. I ended up buying one of Hoya's Super HMC UV filters since they 12 layers of multi-coating! Got a good deal on ebay: here's the same deal ($22.90 including shipping) http://cgi.ebay.com …1056&rd=1&ssPag​eName=WDVW

To each his own, I guess. I find the Lensmate adapter quite pretty and though it is a little bit lighter in color if you really look hard, it is not off by much. The generic adapters look like a simple but the Lensmate is different as it changes in diameter along its length, just like the Canon adapter. More importantly, it fits snugly and is sturdy enough to protect that telescoping lens.

I think the price should be lower than $30, after all it is just a metal tube, albeit machined beautifully. Still, it is $15 less than the Canon adapter, money which could be well spent towards a filter. Mine has a polarizer on it most of the time.

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Michael,
That's a great filter, and a good price! I have the non-Super version of the same filter You're much less likely to get visible artifacts with it, especially if you combine it with a lens hood. I'm really happy with the collapsible rubber hood I got from Lensmate (available anywhere though), because it's so small when I'm not using it.

Here's the Canon 58mm and Adaptor in the first shot (with Hoya Super Pro1 PL-CIR filter), the second shot is the Canon LH-DC30 Lens hood with the plastic hood off so you can see how the adapter tube protects and the original lens cap still fits, and the third is the lens hood adapter with the plastic hood attached, as you can see the original cap still fits.

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kring

That looks really sharp!

newcomer here...

i have a canon 58mm lens adapter with HOYA UV filter.. do i need to protect my filter since i do not have a 58mm size lens cap?

oh damn... your UV filter is unprotected... better get another one and mount back to back

just kidding.

UV filters are pretty cheap and i wouldnt worry about it too much, but a lens cap would be a good idea...