Digital camera accessories

[quacker1964]

Having ordered my latest addition (I tend to collect optics ranging from binoculars and spotting scopes via cameras - at least 4 of each!) what might I consider as a necessary purchase?

Obviously memory & battery power, I ordered a case too - am looking at screen protectors and 46mm filter for protection etc.  Ultimately might be looking for lens increase.  I will be interested in and views on this.  Some would say 18x is more than enough, but trust me, when trying to photograph a tiny migrant bird, it might not be!

Steve

[ShutterbugGail]

Hi quacker1964 and welcome to the Q&A Forum!

As to filters, I am using a Skylight filter to protect the lens. Others use a UV filter. I will probably get a polarizing filter too. If you buy, try to get a "slim" polarizer to avoid vignetting.

I use anti-glare screen protectors made by Boxwave. They are very easy to apply compared to others I've used. I live in an area where there is a lot of sun. If this is not a concern for you, they have clear screen protectors too:

http://dev.digicamhelp.coms/cool-stuff/protector.php

Many people use a TCON-17 telephoto converter and Panasonic lens adapter. A lot of this is dicussed in a FZ18 help file, starting on about page 8. I recommend you download it; it contains lots of great information:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/camera-logs/9/support.php

Hope you enjoy the FZ18 as much as I do.


Related reading: Polarizing filters

http://www.digicamhelp.com/accessories/filters/polarizers.php

[quacker1964]

I'm sure I will - it is light enough and small enough to be taken on field trips.  I already have to consider binoculars and a tripod and spotting scope before I even think about food & drink for a day in the field! - hence my DSLR & 500mm lens rarely get out much lol.

Sadly, we do not have great light in this part of the world, but I will need to protect both lens and LCD of course.  I know of the 1.7 TCON - isn't there another specifically for the FZ18?

I look forward to hearing your reports and seeing results/reading your blog as I become familiar with camera.

Thanks again, and great to meet you all

[csmith200]

Hi:  Just getting familiar with my FZ18 and about to order some filters.  
      I'd much rather use a linear polarizer because it has a much stronger effect than a circular.  
      I know circulars are required for the auto focus on a SLR because of the beam splitter required for the optical finder.         Since the FZ18 uses an EVF will its' auto-focus work OK with a linear polarizer?  Also:  how critical is a thin polarizer for avoiding vignetting?