Lens filters for the Canon A640

[Whirly-Girl]

I just picked up my Canon wide angle lens and adapter and was wondering what brand lens filter(s) you all have tried?

[aramsdell]

You are using a CANON Wide lens? Lucky you. I got a second source .45 X lens and filters as part of a bundle. SUCKS! The lens is smaller than necessary. When zoomed out to wide the barrell adapter shows all the way around. If I zoom enough to eliminate that I get a wider photo but I only get about 25-30% more max. That lens is by DIGITAL CONCEPTS. I'm sure it was the retailer not the lens manu. that bundled this wrong.

[Whirly-Girl]

That's why I went with the Canon brand lens...read too much bad stuff about getting aftermarket lenses. DJ recommended putting the money on the good lens and adapter.

The only thing I see as a problem is that you cannot use a filter at the same time as the wide lens. You have to choose between the wide angle lens or a filter - but not both.

Unless I misread something?

[furyphoto]

You could put a 58mm filter between the adapter and the wide converter, it shouldn't affect the optics compared to a filter on the front. I have considered this, but the extra distance might give you a bit of vignetting on the corners of the frame. If you are looking for a filter to protect the wide adapter, I think you are SOL. You could probably buy one, I think the diameter is 92mm, but it would be expensive, and would likely provide the same vignetting as putting a 58mm in the middle. Some really big pro SLR lenses (Canon 400mm f4 for example) have a small filter holder in the back of the lens so you can use small, less expensive filters instead of giant expensive ones on the front. My sigma 15-30mm has a slot to put gell filters over the back element before you put the lens on the SLR body.

On the A640 it likely won't make any optical difference if you put the filter in front of , or behind the wide adapter, so get a much cheaper 58mm, and put it on the back of the lens.

-A

ps, this is shot with the .45 adapter, I think the circular image can be kind of cool once you get used to it. (I think this counts as "mast" AP)

[aramsdell]

Hey Andrew, That the Digital Concepts .45x lens? Thats the effect I get zoomed out. Worse if using a filter behind the lens. Have to zoom in to remove that.

[Tonystott]

Yup that sure counts as mast AP Andrew, but you might find it rather inconvenient on realty shots :D

[furyphoto]

That wide lens is a cheapo, it is a Pheonex 0.25x. Really soft around the edges, it gets about 170 degrees in the circular image. I got it to practice some spherical panos, before dropping the $$ on a Nikon 10mm full frame 180 degree fisheye.

I also have the Canon 0.75x that I use on my A640 for aerial shots.

Adding a filter to a wide lens will almost always cause some vignetting at the corners of the frame. The wider the lens, the more the vignetting. You might get a bit less with the filter on the front of the lens, but I suggested putting one on the back because it will be much smaller and way cheaper. But, either way you would likely have to zoom in a bit, or crop afterwards.

As for shooting real estate from that mast, yeah, I guess only waterfront properties!

-A

[Tonystott]

SNIP
As for shooting real estate from that mast, yeah, I guess only waterfront properties!

I don't know if my J24 could handle anything heavier than an A640 at the masthead :D