Optimal thread size? 404 tele/wide

[whittonj]

Question on a theory: If I have a camera with 35mm lens threads is it better to step up to a 49mm over a 43mm threaded lens? Is 52mm better than 49? I assume that the less of the edge of a lens you use the better off you are- is that assumption correct? Am I limited only by how stupid I would feel having a somewhat compact camera with a gigantic lens hanging off the front?

2nd part- anyone have a good 2x tele threaded 43/46/49mm that's under $150? Same for a wide angle say .5-.6x ??

I recently bought the extend-a-lens from www.photosolve.com for my Minolta S404 which affords me 43mm lens threads.
http://www.333design.net/Minolta/index.htm - these are just some tests I did with junk I bought off ebay... the vintage spectralstar lenses aren't bad, especially at $5 each... the kyocera lens I could have duplicated with pvc, duct-tape and a snowglobe.

[normc]

I'm willing to bet that every one who has been at the digital camera hobby for a time has a lens collection. They never wear out and the really good ones really pay off. I like the large thread sizes they seem to get lots of light.