Digital cameras 101

[helgestj]

Hello,
I recently bought a Nikon Coolpix P80 camera and have since been browsing filters/2x telephoto lenses to upgrade.  I have found package deals on ebay but am wondering if they work on my camera and the advantages they provide.  Curious if anyone else has added these items to their Nikon P80.  I've attatched the link to what I am considering.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Wide-Telephoto-HD-Lens-Set-for-Nikon-Coolpix-P80_W0QQitemZ360091834194QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item360091834194&_trkparms=72%3A1222%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Thanks for any help!!!

[bdery]

Hi and welcome!

I have no experience with this particular product, and will not comment on it directly. Howeve, I will give you my general opinion.

First, to know if the conversion lens can attach to your camera, you must know the filter diameter that can be fitted on the lens. Some cameras require an adapter tube in order to mount filters or converters. Check your manual to see if that's the case, the manual should also provide the information on the filte diameter.

Now, about the converters themselves... First, remember that even on eBay, when you dela in lenses you get what you pay for... This doesn't seem very expensive (quite the contrary) for the whole package. So I would be wary, and maybe trying to find user reviews of those particular converters ould be a good idea.

Second, the stronger the "conversion factor" (like 0,45X in the case of the wide converter) the higher the levels of distorsion you will encounter, and the worse the image quality is likely to become.

For instance, I have used in the past a 100$ 0,66X converter, and that's as far as I will ever be willing to go in the future. For me, beyond that level, the compromises are too much.

Also, not all converters fit well on every camera, so that's something thatshould be checked. My converter works well with a Canon S2, but works quite poorly with a DSLR lens.

That's MY opinion, however. You might be fine with a different level of quality. And getting the shot, even if it's not pefect, can sometimes be better than missing it.

In short, be wary of prices too good to be true, and make sure that you're buying a product that you're confortable using.

I hope I helped.