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Photo Forum / Digital Photography / ZLR Cameras / May 2006Tele Lens for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ15
Anyone know of a good but inexpensive Tele add-on lens for a Lumix FZ15 camera? Seems like I saw a Raynox 1.5x Tele lens somewhere that fit the bill but I don't remember the Model No. and what step-up or step-down rings might be required. Any help on this subject would be appreciated.......Bob Williams http://www.raynox.co.jp/english/digital/egfujis602.htm Bob, I have the Raynox DCR-2020PRO 2.2X and I use it on a Panasonic fz30 and find it very good Cheers Reg > Anyone know of a good but inexpensive Tele add-on lens for a Lumix FZ15 > camera? Seems like I saw a Raynox 1.5x Tele lens somewhere that fit > the bill but I don't remember the Model No. and what step-up or > step-down rings might be required. > Any help on this subject would be appreciated.......Bob Williams > http://www.raynox.co.jp/english/digital/egfujis602.htm > > Bob, I have the Raynox DCR-2020PRO 2.2X and I use it on a Panasonic fz30 > and find it very good I use the Raynox DCR-2020PRO on an FZ20 and can second that. There are a couple of downsides that you have to be aware of beforehand, though, such that you don't get disappointed after your purchase. First, It can essentially only be used at full zoom (so having it on essentially turns the FZ20 from a camera with a zoom of 36-432 mm (FF FOV equivalents) to a camera vith a 924 mm prime. Also, it exagerrates the chromatic aberration of the original lens, and it diminshes the contrast - but this is to be expected from any teleconverter. There also is a significant light falloff also at full zoom used on an FZ20 - but the lens correction filter of Photoshop CS2 takes care of that speedily. An additional problem is that the OIS of the Panny's own lens does not seem to work as well with the DCR-2020PRO on. While I can usually gain three stops of shutter time over the expected 1/(focal length in FF FOV equivalents) with the FZ20 itsellf, I'm normally only able to gain one stop with the teleconverter on. (Again, this is probably common to all TC:s) Combine this with the fact that there is considerable more CA at full zoom wide open than stopped stopped down one stop, this means that except in very bright light, you shouldn't expect to be able to handhold the combo, OIS or no OIS. (OTOH, what other setup for the same effective focal length is hand-holdable in precitce, either?) But it is surprisingly sharp, and you get a combo that takes you to an FF equivalent of 924 mm weighing slightly less than a kilogram. Try to find that otherwise... Jan Böhme Hi Jessie and Jan, Thanks for the speedy replies. I'm sure that is the info I was looking for ....and more. I did not know Raynox made a 2.2X TC. That is probably better for me than the 1.5X that I had previously seen. My interest is in Backyard Birding. I will always be shooting from a tripod so the diminished ability of OIS will not be a show stopper. However, I would want a bird in sharp focus to show considerable detail in the feathers. Do either of you have a picture with good detail that you could send to me. Send a high resolution image (something like a 4MP jpeg). I am on a Cable connection and my mail server will accept large files Where did you purchase your lens? Did the proper adapter rings for the FZ 15/20/30 come with the kit lens? To reply mytbob@cox.net Thank you very much......Bob >>http://www.raynox.co.jp/english/digital/egfujis602.htm >> [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > > Jan Böhme Bob Williams skrev: > Hi Jessie and Jan, > Thanks for the speedy replies. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > in the feathers. Do either of you have a picture with good detail that > you could send to me. I'll try to se if I can cmoe up with a good and illustrative example for you, but I am pretty busy this weekend, so I'm not certain that I'll be able to make it before next week. > Send a high resolution image (something like a 4MP > jpeg). I am on a Cable connection and my mail server will accept large files > Where did you purchase your lens? Scandinavian Photo at Bankeryd, Sweden. Not certain that it would help you much in your location, but they are good and knowledgeable, although not the cheapest web-based vendor in Sweden. > Did the proper adapter rings for the FZ 15/20/30 come with the kit lens? No, you have to see to get the proper adaptor for your camera. If you buy the converter at a place that knows its stuff, it should be enought to tell them what camera you want to use it for. If not, Raynox's website at http://raynox.co.jp/ (note no www in url) has a lot of info on wich adaptors and steprings to use with which camera. Jan Böhme > I have the Raynox DCR-2020PRO 2.2X and I use it on a Panasonic fz30 > and find it very good How do the Raynox lenses compare with Panasonic's own? I'm thinking of getting Panasonic wide angle for my FZ30 at £140 but I can get a Raynox from the USA for £45 + carriage.  SignatureFrank (Beware of spam trap - remove the negative) F skrev: > > I have the Raynox DCR-2020PRO 2.2X and I use it on a Panasonic fz30 > > and find it very good > > How do the Raynox lenses compare with Panasonic's own? For the FZ20, Panny's proprietary converters are prohibitively expensive, (the telecomverter costs more than the camera, today) and I know nobody who has even tried them. > I'm thinking of > getting Panasonic wide angle for my FZ30 at £140 but I can get a Raynox > from the USA for £45 + carriage. Depends a little on what you want. If you want a modest WA effect, but one that can be used over a reasonable zoom range, the best non-Panny lens around, for the FZ20 at least, is Olympus' WCON-8B. It's a 0.8x teleconverter that can be used at least over the 1x - 3x zoom range of an FZ20, giving a zoom range of (at least) 29 -87mm FF FOV equivalents (would be 28-85 on an FZ30). I don't know how it compares to Panny' own TC for the FZ30 - they should be pretty equivalent pricewise. Please note that this converter is quite a heavy piece of glass, which will change the balance of your camera considerably. If you want more wide angle, Raynox DCR6600 comes in a version called DCR6600 HD, witn a 55mm filter thread, ostensibly custommade for the FZ30. On the FZ20, ít's similar to the DCR2020 - that is only really useful at the wide end of the zoom, turning the lens inte oa 24mm prime (or, possibly, a 24-36mm zoom). The FZ30 version might work better with the FZ30, bing made specifically for it. If you want more info, you might want to try the Panasonic forum óver at dpreview.com, which has considerably more traffic than this group, and is populated exclusively by Panny owners. Jan Böhme > If you want more info, you might want to try the Panasonic forum óver > at dpreview.com I'll do that. Thanks for the help: appreciated! SignatureFrank (Beware of spam trap - remove the negative) Hi Jessie, I have been checking on the Raynox DCR-2020 Pro on sale for $189. See: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku= 337263&is=REG What I can't quite figure out is how the Raynox attaches to the Lumix. My FZ15 has a 62mm thread but it is MALE thread on the EXTERNAL surface of the camera. The Raynox also hs a 62 mm lens, but I can't tell from the picture whether the thread is Male or Female. Can you enlighten me? Bob > http://www.raynox.co.jp/english/digital/egfujis602.htm > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >>step-down rings might be required. >>Any help on this subject would be appreciated.......Bob Williams > Hi Jessie, > I have been checking on the Raynox DCR-2020 Pro on sale for $189. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > the picture whether the thread is Male or Female. > Can you enlighten me? As I understand it, the FZ10/15/20 cameras all have a decorative ring that must be removed to expose male threads. The lens hood screws onto these threads, apparently. If you remove the hood from the tube, you will see female threads for filters or adapter lenses. The adapter tube Panasonic bundles with these cameras is apparently longer than it needs to be, so there are several third-party substitutes. Here is a nice summary of the options: http://www.cs.mtu.edu/~shene/DigiCam/User-Guide/FZ-10/Converters/Adapters/Adapte rs.html Note that I don't own one of these cameras, so what I know is just from looking at pictures on the web and reading the words of others. Have fun! Paul Allen >> Hi Jessie, >> I have been checking on the Raynox DCR-2020 Pro on sale for $189. [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > > Paul Allen Hi Paul. Thanks for the feedback. It was not quite correct but your link to adapters told me precisely what I needed to do to couple the Raynox to the Lumix. :-) The Lumix has NO Female threads anywhere on the camera. When you unscrew the decorative ring you expose 64 mm MALE threads. (I erroneously called them 62 mm threads) All of the adapters in your link, have FEMALE threads on BOTH ends. On one end, is a 64 mm Female to fit the exposed 64 mm Male threads on the Lumix. The other end may have various size female threads to accept different size filters or accessory lenses. The Raynox Adapter that I need is the RT 5264P. It has 64 mm Female and 52 mm Female threads. The 64 mm thread mates with the camera and the 52 mm thread accepts the Raynox 2020 Pro lens. It looks like Panny went to special pains to discourage one from using 3rd party accessories on their camera. Fortunately, I do not discourage all that easily. Thanks for the info.....You saved the day. Bob Williams Hi Bob, I am not familiar with the FZ15 body, the FZ30 has a longer barrel and as such doesnt require an extension tube. The existing threads on the fz30 are 55mm. I had to get a stepdown ring to fit 55mm as the raynox supplied rings skipped that size and went straight to 52mm. I am not sure of your location, but that is a very good price, I paid $410.00au for mine. Here is the page that actully covers the panasonic fz20/10 , http://www.raynox.co.jp/english/digital/fz10/index.htm at the bottom of the page it shows the adaptor required. I hope this helps Cheers Reg PS: Did you get the pic I emailed? > Hi Jessie, > I have been checking on the Raynox DCR-2020 Pro on sale for $189. > See: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku= 337263&is=REG > What I can't quite figure out is how the Raynox attaches to the Lumix. > My FZ15 has a 62mm thread but it is MALE thread on the EXTERNAL surface [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > >>step-down rings might be required. > >>Any help on this subject would be appreciated.......Bob Williams OK! If you are saying that the FZ30 has Female 55 mm threads in the lens barrel itself and does not require the RT 5264P adapter, then that is a significant difference between the FZ15 and the FZ30. So you just needed a 62mm F to 55mm M Step up ring to use the 2020 Pro? That's Cool!. I am in San Diego CA USA. The link was to a huge camera store in New York. As of this writing, I have not yet received the picture. But I eagerly await it.......Thanks Bob > Hi Bob, > I am not familiar with the FZ15 body, the FZ30 has a longer barrel and as [quoted text clipped - 38 lines] >>>>step-down rings might be required. >>>>Any help on this subject would be appreciated.......Bob Williams Hi again Jessie, On reading more about the Raynox 2020 Pro, I have a new concern. The Specs say that its closest focusing point is 10 meters (~33 ft.) Whereas, the unaided FZ15 in Tele mode can focus at 6.5 feet. My present bird blind is about 10 feet away from my subjects. I fear that if I must move my blind to 33 feet, the actual image size that can be captured with the Raynox will be SMALLER than with the Lumix alone at 10 feet. Of course, IF I could not approach closer than 33 feet, the Raynox would capture a much LARGER image than the unaided Lumix at the same distance. I guess that is what the Raynox is designed for. Any thoughts on the subject? P.S. Still no E-Mail picture yet. Did you remove the words "nospam" from my address? It is mytbob@cox.net. > OK! If you are saying that the FZ30 has Female 55 mm threads in the lens > barrel itself and does not require the RT 5264P adapter, then that is a [quoted text clipped - 53 lines] >>>>> step-down rings might be required. >>>>> Any help on this subject would be appreciated.......Bob Williams Hi Bob, You are right there Bob, unfortunately the vignatting of the lens becomes very apparent when not used in full zoom mode of the original lens. The fact you have to have a tube extension will also exasperate the problem. You may be better off looking for a 1x or1.5x Telephoto. The cheaper option is look for a cheaper type 2x to try out first. I actually had a 2x 55mm video telephoto adaptor to start with. The edges where not real good ,but centre focus at a subject was quite nice. I picked it from a camera store for $49au. But I suppose in the long run if you keep spending money trying things out, you may as well just spend the money upgrading the camera. The other feature the fz30 has is basically macro across the full zoom range. So in actual fact at 10 ft in macro mode the photos of the birds would be much clearer. I hope this makes sense, as I said, I am not real camera literit. As for the Photo, I will try and send it again. I did remove the spam trap. Cheers Reg. > Hi again Jessie, > On reading more about the Raynox 2020 Pro, I have a new concern. [quoted text clipped - 44 lines] > >>> I have been checking on the Raynox DCR-2020 Pro on sale for $189. > >>> See: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku= 337263&is=REG > >>> What I can't quite figure out is how the Raynox attaches to the Lumix. > >>> My FZ15 has a 62mm thread but it is MALE thread on the EXTERNAL surface [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > >>>>> step-down rings might be required. > >>>>> Any help on this subject would be appreciated.......Bob Williams > [...] The other feature the fz30 has is basically macro across the full > zoom range. So in actual fact at 10 ft in macro mode the photos of the birds > would be much clearer. [...] This is not quite right. The minimum focus distance in tele mode is 2 meters regardless of macro mode. In wide angle mode, the normal minimum focus of 30cm drops to 5cm in macro mode. Some previous FZ models had a big step in the minimum macro focus distance at the 3x zoom point. The FZ20 behaves identically to the FZ30. The FZ5's macro focus distance varies from 5cm at 1x zoom to 2m at 11x zoom, and then drops to 1m at 12x zoom. (In all these cases, I'm quoting the camera manuals. If some owner of one of these can add to or correct what I've said, please do.) Beyond the above, I have no idea what effect a tele extender has on the FZ30's minimum focus distance. Paul Allen > Hi again Jessie, > On reading more about the Raynox 2020 Pro, I have a new concern. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > that can be captured with the Raynox will be SMALLER than with the Lumix > alone at 10 feet. You've got it. Actually, the largest possible image of a subject of a given size is usually smaller, not larger, with a teleconverter, because the increase in minimal focussing distance more that offsets the gain in focal length. Getting a teleconverter which increases the minimal focussing distance with only 1.5x or less will be a bit tricky. I'm not certain that there is one. I'd guess that any teleconverter with a focal length magnification of more than 1.3x would be out of bounds for you. And first off, I don't know of any 1.3x TC offhand, and second, even if it existed, would it really be worth it to be able to go from 432mm to 560mm? Frankly, if I were sitting at 10 ft from a bird, also a small one with an FZ15, I wouldn't bother with a TC at all. The distances that I normally use my DCR-2020 at are between 50 and 200 feet. Jan Böhme >>Hi again Jessie, >>On reading more about the Raynox 2020 Pro, I have a new concern. [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > Jan Böhme Thanks for confirming my suspicions, Jan. I am going to take your advice and forget about a TC for my FZ15. It just won't do what I want to do. I've never used a TC before and was not familiar with their characteristics. Thanks to ALL for your valuable input. Bob |
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