What is the use of camera lens adapters?

Question

Can anyone please tell me the use of Camera Lens Adapters. What is the importance of having it or not having it?

I am thinking of buying a Canon S3 IS. I am not willing to buy a SLR as I am new to photography. I am thinking of taking photography as a hobby. So, when I went through Canon website I came across this term Camera lens adapter. So, that's the reason why I put up the question in Yahoo Answers.

Answer 1

I've had the Canon S3is for about 8 months. Love It!

So far, I haven't found a need for the adapters. But, basically, Canon offers a couple of configurations - a barrel type adapter that attaches over the main lens, and onto which you can mount either a wide or tele lens. I THINK there are two different adapters - one for each setup.

If you are going to shoot a lot of wide angle, you might choose the wide angle converter option. This is one area where the S3 is lacking. It's widest normal view is equivalent to about 35mm, which isn't REALLY very wide.

In my experience, the 12x tele in it's original configuation is so good, I doubt that I'd ever want to add a tele converter!

One other possible advantage of using an adapter is that you can add filters or a lens hood.

I strongly recommend that - if you by the S3, and if you want to add adapters, lenses, etc. - buy the Canon brand accessories. Yes, they're more expensive. But, believe me, this in one area where you really do get what you pay for.

And a crappy accessory lens that distorts and has lousy color rendition in NEVER a good buy!

Chck out the Canon website for details ... or DPReview.

Answer 2

Buy the adapter that allows you to use screw mount filters. Then buy a HAZE/UV filter or a Skylight filter. The HAZE/UV filter will remove much of the atmospheric haze seen in scenics. The Skylight filter will remove the bluish cast seen in distant shaded mountains or snow and in photos taken in open shade. More importantly they protect the front element of your lens. One scratch or acidic fingerprint or smudge and your lens is ruined. Since you're shopping you may as well add a circular polarizer to the list. The polarizer allows you to darken blue skys and removes reflections/glare from water, sand, snow, glass and painted metal - but not polished metal.

Answer 3

I use a daylight filter on the lens of a camera that cost me a lot of money and it works well, but 35 mm cameras are not worth much any more and I have gone digital and manipulate the image on the computer.

Answer 4

This depends on which adapters you mean.

There are lens adapters for people to put screw mount lenses on newer cameras. There are also adapters to make various filter systems fit.

So it depends on the application you seek.

If you elaborate I can assist you further.

Answer 5

a camera lens adapter allows you to fit a lens to your camera that is a different size. example: adapt a 55mm lens to a 52mm camera