Newbie help

[Tusc_si]

Hi all,

I’ve been lurking on the Photography & Video forum for some time now admiring all the great photos that everyone takes, earlier this year I bought myself a Lumix DMC-FZ18 which I’m very please with as it seems to take great shots.

I think it can take even better shots if it wasn’t for me not being particularly skilful at photography yet, anyway the reason for my post is to ask if I can buy any additional lenses/filters for my camera?

I’ve searched the web and can’t seem to find a definitive answer, I’d like to buy a fisheye lens or try out some filters so that I can explore the effects that these have on my shots.

Thanks all, and help/advice would be great.
Si

[Simpo Two]

You can't change the lens, which is the price you pay for convenience and a 'one size fits all' solution. However you'll should be able to find various add-on gadgets to make the lens wider-angle and possibly fisheye, but at the expense of image quality, especially at edges and corners. They screw in to to the front of your lens (if it doesn't have a filter thread then that's game over really). Raynox springs to mind - have a google.

As for filters, if you want to change colours, I'd say that's best done in Photoshop or similar afterwards working from a straight image. The exceptions are polarisers and ND filters, especially useful for landscapes. But don't rely on strap-on gadgets to polish turds - the starting image should still be good.

[Tusc_si]

Simpo Two said:

You can't change the lens, which is the price you pay for convenience and a 'one size fits all' solution.

Thanks for the reply, after buying it and starting to read more about photography I realised that was my down fall

Simpo Two said:

However you'll should be able to find various add-on gadgets to make the lens wider-angle and possibly fisheye, but at the expense of image quality, especially at edges and corners. They screw in to to the front of your lens (if it doesn't have a filter thread then that's game over really). Raynox springs to mind - have a google.

I do indeed have the screw built into the lens end so I'll have a look around, are there any sites/shops you would suggest?

[Ledaig]

If what I've just read is correct, you have a 46mm filter thread on the front of the lens.

You will find that you will be able to add filters to this. The popular ones will be a UV for protection (more than anything else), and a circular polarizer - google this for a good explanation if it's new to you.

You should also be able to fit a filter package from a company such as Cokin if you need to get into ND grey gaduated filters for example, you would just need their 46mm adaptor ring to fit filter holder onto.

You can also get an adaptor clicky, which will let you fit either a wide angle lens or a telephoto lens. Not sure if you really need to telephoto though as you've already got a 504mm lens at the long end (plus it would make for a 'slow' lens in photography terms).

You would be best off checking the user manual for the actual part number of the above to ensure you get the correct ones.

[Tusc_si]

That’s great,

Thank you both for your replies.

[Simpo Two]

Raynox - just looked - I was right, more toys than you could imagine

www.raynox.co.jp/english/digital/fz18/index.htm

[Tusc_si]

Simpo Two said:

Raynox - just looked - I was right, more toys than you could imagine

www.raynox.co.jp/english/digital/fz18/index.htm

Oooo, thats just what I was looking for. Thought I'd share some of my best photos, please feel free to comment.

[Simpo Two]

Tusc_si said:

Oooo, thats just what I was looking for. Thought I'd share some of my best photos, please feel free to comment.

First, they look jaggy because you didn't resize to 750px wide, but that's an easy fix. (1) and (3) look OK, but for (2) why didn't you shoot from the sunny side? I find the heavy contrast and shadow distracting.

Edited by Simpo Two on Tuesday 23 September 23:39

[Tusc_si]

Simpo Two said:

Tusc_si said:

Oooo, thats just what I was looking for. Thought I'd share some of my best photos, please feel free to comment.

First, they look jaggy because you didn't resize to 750px wide, but that's an easy fix. (1) and (3) look OK, but for (2) why didn't you shoot from the sunny side? I find the heavy contrast and shadow distracting.

Edited by Simpo Two on Tuesday 23 September 23:39

Thanks for your comments, I'll try and ensure I resize next time then

I did take one from the sunny size but IHO it didn't look as good, but I can see what you mean about the distracting contrasts. I suppose like anything you learn with each attempt.

[beano500]

Nice car, mister....


Yes, nice pics, although I agree about #2.

Compositionally, #3 annoys the hell out of me because I would love a symmetric background, I keep wanting to take half a step to the right! Otherwise go for the classic side angle shot. Given the subject matter, I would also be tempted to go for a bit more contrast/impact in any post processing you can do. Otherwise, promising stuff - love to see more.....


Edited to add: Sorry, but I couldn't help fiddling (I never can, there must be some sort of treatment for it, surely, answers on a postcard please....)

Edited by beano500 on Wednesday 24th September 11:36

[Tusc_si]

beano500 said:

Edited to add: Sorry, but I couldn't help fiddling (I never can, there must be some sort of treatment for it, surely, answers on a postcard please....)

Edited by beano500 on Wednesday 24th September 11:36

That looks good, I can see what you have done there

[Simpo Two]

Bah, we full-frames types spend a bloody fortune on lenses to avoid vignetting and you go and add it!