Lenses and Filters for Canon G11

[Shyvioletisme]

I've had my G11 for about 6 months now and would really like to look into getting some new lenses(really wanting a macro lens) and possibly some filters. Anyone with this camera(or similar) have recommendations on what lenses will work for this camera(do any of the lenses work or do I need smaller ones??) or what filters/what do I need to do to use a filter with it? Thanks in advance as I"m fairly clueless about this stuff. I've gotten pretty good with the stock lens and would like to move into other lenses now as well.

ETA: Ok I feel stupid. I could have sworn you could switch lenses. Back to lurking for me then.

 

[disneyboy2003]

I've had my G11 for about 6 months now and would really like to look into getting some new lenses(really wanting a macro lens) and possibly some filters. Anyone with this camera(or similar) have recommendations on what lenses will work for this camera(do any of the lenses work or do I need smaller ones??) or what filters/what do I need to do to use a filter with it? Thanks in advance as I"m fairly clueless about this stuff. I've gotten pretty good with the stock lens and would like to move into other lenses now as well.

Hmmm, I'm not sure that the Canon G11 actually accepts interchangeable lenses. The lens on the Canon G11 is permanently attached to the camera body. I'm not sure that G11 users are able to remove the lens and place a new one on. (I had a Canon G10, and I wasn't able to remove the lens)

However, you can attach adapter lenses on top of your current lens. This is not like dSLR cameras, where you remove the existing lens and replace it with a different lens. Instead, placing an adapter lens is like placing glasses in front of your current lens.

On page 163 of your User's Manual (link), Canon offers a tele-converter (TC-DC58D) that you can attach onto your lens. This teleconverter will change the focal length of your lens by a factor of 1.4x (ie. instead of zooming from 6mm - 30.5mm, your camera with the teleconverter will zoom from 8.5mm - ~43mm).

Also, to use this teleconverter, you also have to purchase a separate Conversion Lens Adapter (LA-DC58K). This Conversion Lens Adapter gets attached onto your camera (as described on p. 163 of your manual). Afterwards, you attach the teleconverter onto this Conversion Lens Adapter.

The only thing about placing a lens-in-front-of-a-lens, like you'd be doing with this teleconverter, is that you run the risk of possibly affecting the image quality. You're probably ok if you stick with Canon products, but you never know with no-name brand teleconverters. You'll have to look around the Internet to see what other people's experiences are with a teleconverter on their G11s.

I believe that the teleconverter is the only lens offered by Canon for your G11. There are 3rd party lenses made by other, non-brand-name companies that may also fit onto your G11 + Conversion Lens Adapter. You might look on Amazon or eBay. If you look hard enough, you can find a "wide angle, fish eye" lens, a "3x super telephoto lens", and a "0.43x super wide angle lens" for your Canon G11...all made by unknown companies.

For macro photography, looks like your G11 already has a "Macro" setting (see page 77 of your manual). With macro photography on the G11, you can already place the camera to within 1 cm (0.4 inches) of your subject. I'm not sure there's any additional "macro lenses" that you can place on your lens that will get you any closer than that.

Anyway, the Canon G11 isn't actually meant to change lenses, like for dSLRs. However, "technically" you can add additional lenses onto your current lens. Again, I believe Canon only offers 1 lens for your camera. All other lenses for the G11 are made by third-parties.

Hope that helps.

 

[ukcatfan]

All correct and let me add to it. I never once seen someone impressed with the conversion lenses. They are all based on really old technology and not high quality optics. I think some are even made of plastic instead of glass. Most were designed for camcorders about 2 decades ago and the optics were fine for that. With modern high MP digital cameras, the flaws often become obvious. If you are serious about getting into photography more, you will be better off buying an inexpensive DSLR. Some new are even as low as $300-400. Used can go even lower.

 

[boBQuincy]

I have a G11 and occasionally use a polarizer filter with it. My method for P&S cameras is to hold the polarizer up to my eye, rotate it for the desired effect, then hold it up to the front of the lens (being careful not to rotate the polarizer). It works well and this is an effect that is about impossible to get in post-processing.

The macro setting on the G11 works well, I doubt any aftermarket lens/filter would be any better.

 

[photo_chick]

Cokin used to make a filter holder for thier system that attached with adhesive to a point and shoot. I don't know if they still do.

 

[disneyboy2003]

Cokin used to make a filter holder for thier system that attached with adhesive to a point and shoot. I don't know if they still do.

Here's a link to someone else's experience trying to add filters onto their Canon G11. You have to buy a two-part adapter made by Lensmate. This attaches to the camera. Then, you buy a Cokin-P holder, which attaches to the adapter and allows you to use filters. Finally, you insert the filter you want into the Cokin-P holder.

Sounds like a lot of work. If you don't plan on using filters much, you can do what boBQuincy suggested above and manually hold the filter in front of the camera.

With a dSLR, using filters is much much simpler. You simply screw on the filter onto the front of the lens. No need for adapters or any other contraptions. However, there are filter holders available for dSLRs. But in general, most people use the much simpler screw-on filters for dSLRs.

 

[photo_chick]

Here's a link to someone else's experience trying to add filters onto their Canon G11. You have to buy a two-part adapter made by Lensmate. This attaches to the camera. Then, you buy a Cokin-P holder, which attaches to the adapter and allows you to use filters. Finally, you insert the filter you want into the Cokin-P holder.

Sounds like a lot of work. If you don't plan on using filters much, you can do what boBQuincy suggested above and manually hold the filter in front of the camera.

With a dSLR, using filters is much much simpler. You simply screw on the filter onto the front of the lens. No need for adapters or any other contraptions. However, there are filter holders available for dSLRs. But in general, most people use the much simpler screw-on filters for dSLRs.

Much easier to attach with this one...
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/387314-REG/Cokin_CBA400MM_Magnetic_Filter_Holder_A.html

Or they make this one that uses a tripod mount....
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/664620-REG/Cokin_CBAD701_CBAD701_Digi_Shoe_Filter.html

they use A filters though. If you have a P filter system already (like I do) you would need an additional adapter. It will also allow you to add a lens hood (of sorts) to a point and shoot which can be helpful. since not all point and shoots have that option available. But like anything, it depends on how much you want to get into it as to whether or not it's worth the time and trouble for you