Panasonic DMW-LT55 55mm Tele Conversion Lens for Panasonic FZ7, FZ30 and FZ50 Digital Cameras – Customer Reviews
Surprisingly good tele converter
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Conversion lenses have always had a poor reputation. Typically generalizations like fuzzy, corner falloff and so on. The Panasonic DMW-LT55 Tele Conversion Lens appears to be the exception. Mounted on a Lumix FZ50, it produces images that are sharper than expected. Not as sharp as those that would be produced by a Nikkor or Canon, but sharp and detailed enough.
There is no noticeable falloff at the edges or corners. No vignetting either. Contrast is excellent.
On the FZ50, the LT55 can be used handheld with the camera's Optical Image Stabilization system activated. That is, frankly, astonishing.
A neat trick on the FZ50 is being able to reduce the resolution of the image from 10 megapixels down to 3 megapixels (just using the center of the sensor) and effectively increasing the power of the tele converter to that of a 1,137 mm lens. The images aren't bad.
The converter is lighweight and easily attached to the FZ50. Any filter on the lens must be removed first. No adapter is required.
Overall, the FZ50 is a nice knockaround and travel camera. It's light, has an incredible 12x Leica design approved lens, a 10 Megapixel sensor and just about every feature you could want. Adding the LT55 to your kit gives you that extra-long telephoto you've always wanted to carry without doing damage to your back. Neat product.
Jerry9/13/2006 12:00 AM | Rating:
Wonderful Zoom
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I enjoy birdwatching and naturally I wish to photograph the birds I see when I can.I used this lens with the FZ7 on a trip to Maui.I saw the i'iwi and apapane, but those birds flit around too much for me to be able to get a pic. However, I was able to get a couple decent pix of the a'eo (Hawaiian stilt) at a distance of about 300' so I was pleased.I will be going to Port Aransas to see the whooping cranes soon and am very much looking forward to using this lens then.NOTE: Although the image stabilization of these Panasonic cameras is excellent you absolutely still need a tripod in my opinion to make the best use of this fine piece of glass.
8/29/2006 12:00 AM | Rating: