Wide-Angle

[Lanimilbus]

I have a Panasonic Lumix FZ20, and will be purchasing an adapter that will allow attachments, given that they are 52mm threaded. I found seven wide-angle lenses that would work (I think) but I can't tell any real difference between them...I mean, some have the exact same magnification, but are a hundred dollars or so apart in price. So could someone tell me why the price is so different for lens-adapters with the same magnification, and which of these seven would give me the best quality for the price? Or, overall, which would be the best buy? It would be much appreciated. Here are the seven lenses.

http://www.epinions.com/Raynox_DCR_6600Pro__0_66x__Wide_Angle__dcr6600pro_/display_~full_specs

http://www.epinions.com/pr-Lenses_Panasonic_DMW_LW52_Converter_DMW_LW52_1/display_~full_specs

http://www.epinions.com/Canon_Wide_Angle_Conversion_Lens_Lens_Converter/display_~full_specs

http://www.epinions.com/pr-Sony_Conversion_Lens_VCLR0752_Lens_Converter/display_~full_specs

http://www.epinions.com/SONY_VCL_0752H___CONVERTER___WIDE__vcl_0752h_/display_~full_specs

http://www.epinions.com/Raynox_DCR_720_0_72X_Wide_Angle_Conversion_Lens__Lens_DCR_720_1/display_~full_specs

http://www.epinions.com/Raynox_DCR_5000__0_5x__Wide_Angle_Conversion__dcr5000_/display_~full_specs
Thanks,
-Alec

 

[elsaspet]

Can you use a Sigma?

 

[Lanimilbus]

I'm not sure, I didn't see any Sigmas that were 52mm threaded and were adapters instead of direct attachment lenses.

 

[LittleMan]

I read a review on this a while back, it has since disapeared... but I still remember what he said.
He tried all of these lens adapters(and some you don't have there using another adapter) and the best one he found for the wide-angle lens is the one Panasonic made for the camera.

The reason you should use the lens that was made for the camera is because of the focal length.... they calculated the perfect distance it should be away from the front of the lens and the perfect curvature that it should be for the Lumix DMC-FZ20. If these aren't perfect then the image will either be slightly distored or be slightly out of focus...

If you can afford it I would suggest going with the one Panasonic made for the camera... If not, before you buy it Try it.

Good luck, tell me what you come up with. I have a DMC-FZ20 also.

 

[Lanimilbus]

I would buy the wide angle lens made for specifically for the camera, but it's $400 which is almost as much as I paid for the camera itself, and I don't have that much money to spend...I'm looking for a wide angle lens under $175. If it turns out that all the other lenses don't work well with my Lumix FZ20, then I'll return them and save up for that one...is there any specific one out of the original 7 I mentioned that might have a better chance of working with my camera?