Add-on / Accessory lenses for fixed-lens cameras - Wide Angle Lens including samples

[Ozzie_Traveller]

Add-on / Accessory lenses for fixed-lens cameras - Wide Angle Lens including samples

Users of fixed-lens cameras sometimes ask 'is there an accessory lens that fits my camera that gives me wide angle or fisheye'? and on the internet are adverts from suppliers offering to sell such lenses to users

The big questions are... "are they okay? are they any good? are they worth the money?

Here are some real life, everyday samples ... the camera in use is a Panasonic FZ100, 24x zoom lens which has a 52mm filter thread on the front of the zoom lens, and is therefore able to take these attachments via this filter thread. If your camera does not have a filter thread on the front of the lens barrel, then your camera cannot take these add-on lenses

1) the lens under review - purchased over the internet for $40
It's labelled "Semi-Fisheye" but it does create a full 180degree circular image


Sample-1 - fisheye full circle image


Sample-2 - fisheye full circle image


Sample-3 - fisheye full circle image


Sample-4 - fisheye full circle image



2) the second lens under review had a list price of $259 from Kodak [when the lens was a current item] sold for their 10x Kodak superzoom cameras.

This lens is similar to others sold by Canon and Panasonic, and they have a similar retail price

Sample-5 ... Panasonic FZ100 set to 1x zoom


Sample-6 ... with Kodak 0,7x accessory lens in use


Sample-7 ... Panasonic FZ100 set to 1x zoom


Sample-8 ... with Kodak 0,7x accessory lens in use


NB: This lens on this camera is giving some vignetting at the corners. When I use this lens on the 14-42mm lens with my Panasonic mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera, there is no vignetting at the corners, and this makes it a very useful (to me) lens for shooting pics in tight locations

I trust that these images are useful to you
Phil Jones
Ozzie_Traveller=at=Yahoo.com [change the =at= if you email me to have a chat]