Home > Accessories > Lenses & Lens Adapters
Converter lenses and adapters
Compact digital cameras don't accept interchangeable lenses like Single Lens Reflex cameras but many do accept add-on converter lenses. Converter lens are relatively inexpensive and extend the flexibility and capability of a built-in lens.
A digital camera converter lens may require an adapter so it mounts correctly on the front of a camera. Lenses and adapters can be often purchased together in a kit and are available from original and third-party manufacturers.
Converter lenses can be bigger and bulkier than the digital camera to which they are attached. As a result, some users find the set-up annoying. But if you are interested in increasing the capabilities of the lens on your compact camera, converter lenses may be just what you're looking for.
Using a converter lens
To use a converter lens, you often must modify a menu setting in your camera to match the lens-type. Exposure and focus may need to be adjusted manually since they don't always function well in automatic mode.
In order to prevent vignetting, the darkening of the corners of a photo, adapters may have to be removed when the lens is no longer attached. Be aware that the built-in camera flash may not work well with an add-on lens attached.
Detailed information how to use these lenses is fully explained in the documentation that comes with the lens. It is not usually found in the camera manual.
Related Articles
Lens adapters
Attach filters, converter lenses and other accessories to your camera.
Lens hoods
Helps prevent flare by blocking light from entering a camera lens. But watch out for vignetting.
Lens speed
The maximum size of the aperture determines whether a lens is fast or slow.
