How to add a filter to a Panasonic TZ series
Jul 18, 2012 08:48:37 #
HOW TO FIT A FILTER TO A PANASONIC TZ SERIES
Anyone who owns a Panasonic TZ series camera I hope will be as pleased as I am with my recenly acquited TZ30. My one frustration is that there is apparently no way that one can add a filter of any sort since the lens doesn't have a thread on which to screw it. However, as my headline suiggests, there is always a way around things.
I wanted to be able to use a polarising filter and the following photos will give you some idea of how I achieved this, albeit slightly crudely.
Having already purchased a 40.5mm polarising filter, I then purchased a small rigid PVC joint, cut it down to size so that it fitted over the last extension of the lens. It was a little loose so I added two cut in half, self adhesive pads. The filter fortunately fittied just inside the cut down joint, a lttle loosly in fact so I just added a little electrical adhesive tape on the inside so that it held the filter snugly.
I have to be careful to remove the contraption before shutting off the camera otherwise it will just fall off. Other than that it works perfectly. Neat or not?
Anyone who owns a Panasonic TZ series camera I hope will be as pleased as I am with my recenly acquited TZ30. My one frustration is that there is apparently no way that one can add a filter of any sort since the lens doesn't have a thread on which to screw it. However, as my headline suiggests, there is always a way around things.
I wanted to be able to use a polarising filter and the following photos will give you some idea of how I achieved this, albeit slightly crudely.
Having already purchased a 40.5mm polarising filter, I then purchased a small rigid PVC joint, cut it down to size so that it fitted over the last extension of the lens. It was a little loose so I added two cut in half, self adhesive pads. The filter fortunately fittied just inside the cut down joint, a lttle loosly in fact so I just added a little electrical adhesive tape on the inside so that it held the filter snugly.
I have to be careful to remove the contraption before shutting off the camera otherwise it will just fall off. Other than that it works perfectly. Neat or not?
STEP 1A
STEP 1B
STEP 2
COMPLETED
Jul 18, 2012 08:58:01 #
Jul 18, 2012 09:32:18 #
Glad to have been of help. If you or anyone else comes up with a more ingenious way of doing it do please let me know.
By the way, if you use PVC pipe as I did, make sure that it is thoroughly clean before you fit it to the camera. You won't want any particles of PVC getting between the lens extension.
By the way, if you use PVC pipe as I did, make sure that it is thoroughly clean before you fit it to the camera. You won't want any particles of PVC getting between the lens extension.
Jul 19, 2012 09:11:28 #
Yes, nice gadget. I used the plastic from a spice can and fassioned to fit over the chrome ring of the body. The filter end is 58mm. works great. The TZ series is a wonderful glue to the hip series... mine is always in the ID/$, Camera, Phone pack on my belt.
I also built a 1/2" pipe cage so that I could squeeze the camera-cage assembly to steady the shot, otherwise you are holding a lite camera out there,,, with a 2x in front steady is needed. When I get back to location, I will publish my RubeGoldberg unit.
http://www.rubegoldberg.com/
I also built a 1/2" pipe cage so that I could squeeze the camera-cage assembly to steady the shot, otherwise you are holding a lite camera out there,,, with a 2x in front steady is needed. When I get back to location, I will publish my RubeGoldberg unit.
http://www.rubegoldberg.com/
Jul 19, 2012 09:30:57 #
Jul 19, 2012 10:03:40 #
Indeed Gargleblaster, I will post them in this post when I get back to my lap top and all my toys. Saving this in my links so will be able to pull up easily.
Your approach is pocketable and portable compared to mine, I like yours better... Important is that we, tho limited by the camera manufacturer are brave and capable enought to make the great TZ series camera into a supurb one.
Your approach is pocketable and portable compared to mine, I like yours better... Important is that we, tho limited by the camera manufacturer are brave and capable enought to make the great TZ series camera into a supurb one.
Jul 19, 2012 20:08:07 #
Hi there Gargleblaster & dpullum. You make UH interesting today,there may be others of us ,whether using same camera or other brands,so might as well add my little solution and want to mention, while stewing around looking for something to fit months ago,dpullem came up with the spice jar idea.(Bless him,he has lots of solutions for things.)Took some hunting still as 1 or 2 mm can make or break and idea,and never realized they do come in such vried diameters. The thinner ones can be softened in hot water and be easier to cut. I wanted to use my old Ambico filter holder with 52mm
filter size adapter plate. Wound up with much the same thing you did,attaching the spice jar end to the smallest
extension of the lens and filling out any small mm space with electrical tape which also covers the jar for extra strength. Good tight fit at both the end that fits on the
lens and the end on the filter holder.Not the neatest job in the world but it works, with the caaution you mentioned to remove from camera before going back to widest angle or
shutting it off. Wish dpullem would come back to explain his description,"to fit over chrome ring of the body.The filter end is 58mm." I'd have preferred something to fit over the body but thre was no way to zoom out the lens.
Also dpullem told us all not long ago about attaching a
filter ring to the camera with hot glue...which sounds like a scary procedure..and i do want to use my 52mm filters. At
least my solutiion can be taken apart if wanting to use the
filter holder on something else.
Come back soon dpullem,and does anyone else have any input on this sort of solution for all of us?
filter size adapter plate. Wound up with much the same thing you did,attaching the spice jar end to the smallest
extension of the lens and filling out any small mm space with electrical tape which also covers the jar for extra strength. Good tight fit at both the end that fits on the
lens and the end on the filter holder.Not the neatest job in the world but it works, with the caaution you mentioned to remove from camera before going back to widest angle or
shutting it off. Wish dpullem would come back to explain his description,"to fit over chrome ring of the body.The filter end is 58mm." I'd have preferred something to fit over the body but thre was no way to zoom out the lens.
Also dpullem told us all not long ago about attaching a
filter ring to the camera with hot glue...which sounds like a scary procedure..and i do want to use my 52mm filters. At
least my solutiion can be taken apart if wanting to use the
filter holder on something else.
Come back soon dpullem,and does anyone else have any input on this sort of solution for all of us?
Jul 19, 2012 20:10:26 #
Jul 19, 2012 21:15:21 #
We own them we do what we wish.
When i get back to my home I will show photos of gadgets for TZ.
Hot glue is a trick. Custom grind ring to fit camera... Kodak z1015 was the victim. Put hot glue on camera side of ring. Heat hot glued ring in small skillet on aluminium foil. Pick up with small pliers. Most of the glue stays on aluminium foil... place the ring on the camera. the small amount of glue cools... the hot metal keeps it liquid long enough to bond to camera. be careful to not string of glue on the lens.
And thank you Jenny. People like you make gadget sharing worth while...
When i get back to my home I will show photos of gadgets for TZ.
Hot glue is a trick. Custom grind ring to fit camera... Kodak z1015 was the victim. Put hot glue on camera side of ring. Heat hot glued ring in small skillet on aluminium foil. Pick up with small pliers. Most of the glue stays on aluminium foil... place the ring on the camera. the small amount of glue cools... the hot metal keeps it liquid long enough to bond to camera. be careful to not string of glue on the lens.
And thank you Jenny. People like you make gadget sharing worth while...
Jul 19, 2012 23:02:31 #
Jul 20, 2012 04:00:05 #
Hi Jenny:
Thanks for your input. It just goes to show that even though people are maybe thousands of miles apart, brains work in the same way even though our solutions are slightly different.
Dpullum's idea of gluing directly on to the camera is, as you say, a little scary. It could be done with superglue and having looked at my newly acquired TZ30 I can see that yes, it would be possible to glue something to the last outer ring but I'm reluctant to do that to a brand new camera.
I realised that some people might not be acquainted with the TZ series so I'm attaching a couple of photo so that they can see the problem.
I am presently thinking of a Mark II model that I hope will be smaller and neater. I will post here if and when I manage it.
In the meantime, please, if anyone else has come up with a solution, do post it her with photographs. 225 people have viewed this thread so far so there must be some other ideas.
Thanks for your input. It just goes to show that even though people are maybe thousands of miles apart, brains work in the same way even though our solutions are slightly different.
Dpullum's idea of gluing directly on to the camera is, as you say, a little scary. It could be done with superglue and having looked at my newly acquired TZ30 I can see that yes, it would be possible to glue something to the last outer ring but I'm reluctant to do that to a brand new camera.
I realised that some people might not be acquainted with the TZ series so I'm attaching a couple of photo so that they can see the problem.
I am presently thinking of a Mark II model that I hope will be smaller and neater. I will post here if and when I manage it.
In the meantime, please, if anyone else has come up with a solution, do post it her with photographs. 225 people have viewed this thread so far so there must be some other ideas.
TZ30 closed
TZ30 open
Jul 20, 2012 05:57:07 #
The virtue of hot glue is that the bond is physical and weak, where as the cyanoacrylics, Crazy glue, is a chemical/molicular stronger bond.
Low melt Hot Glues have more wax in them and are the weaker.
Regarding "New Camera", well you bought it and so it is not new... so wait til the 90 day warrentee is over and then have fun.
PS: I am beginning to feel lust for the TZ30, having guilt and do not want my TZ3 to find out that I have Jimmy Carter type lust in my mind.
Playboy interview in November 1976, Ive committed adultery in my heart many times.
http://www.alan.com/2009/01/30/jimmy-carter-not-too-old-to-lust-in-his-heart/
Low melt Hot Glues have more wax in them and are the weaker.
Regarding "New Camera", well you bought it and so it is not new... so wait til the 90 day warrentee is over and then have fun.
PS: I am beginning to feel lust for the TZ30, having guilt and do not want my TZ3 to find out that I have Jimmy Carter type lust in my mind.
Playboy interview in November 1976, Ive committed adultery in my heart many times.
http://www.alan.com/2009/01/30/jimmy-carter-not-too-old-to-lust-in-his-heart/
Jul 20, 2012 06:35:08 #
Hi dpullum:
In the European Union we have a two year mandatory guarantee!
As I said, I am now working on Mark II of my adaptor that I think will be much better and not require that thick PVC tube. Might take a while before I publish the results as I have had to order a piece that might take a couple of weeks to arrive.
If you're tempted by the TZ30 here's a review for you:
http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/panasonic_lumix_dmc_tz30_review/
In the European Union we have a two year mandatory guarantee!
As I said, I am now working on Mark II of my adaptor that I think will be much better and not require that thick PVC tube. Might take a while before I publish the results as I have had to order a piece that might take a couple of weeks to arrive.
If you're tempted by the TZ30 here's a review for you:
http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/panasonic_lumix_dmc_tz30_review/
Jul 20, 2012 12:17:10 #
Thank You GARGLEBLASTER I read the review... while I love the specifications, and would probably pay $100 of the reasonable cost by selling my TZ3, I am confrounted with a delima... Black, Brown, Blue, Silver or Red!! that brings on the same anxiety I experience that I have in a big IceCream store.
I have often declared that a P&S like the TZs are better than the best DSLR because they are there in your belt pack when you need them. The photo shows my belt pack open with ID etc, camera area and last (right) cell phone. as the ad says about the American Express card,, Never leave home with out it. Of course, the TZ is not in the pack it is taking the photo of the pack....
The TZ series has come a long way since the TZ3 that I have. A great camera gets even greater.
You said ... "It just goes to show that even though people are maybe thousands of miles apart, brains work in the same way even though our solutions are slightly different."
YES,,, amazing how we world wide co-op on improving or experience with our TZs. Truly a global world we live in. Too bad the leaders of nations can not operate in such harmony.
I have often declared that a P&S like the TZs are better than the best DSLR because they are there in your belt pack when you need them. The photo shows my belt pack open with ID etc, camera area and last (right) cell phone. as the ad says about the American Express card,, Never leave home with out it. Of course, the TZ is not in the pack it is taking the photo of the pack....
The TZ series has come a long way since the TZ3 that I have. A great camera gets even greater.
You said ... "It just goes to show that even though people are maybe thousands of miles apart, brains work in the same way even though our solutions are slightly different."
YES,,, amazing how we world wide co-op on improving or experience with our TZs. Truly a global world we live in. Too bad the leaders of nations can not operate in such harmony.
TZ ALWAY IN BELT PACK
Jul 20, 2012 12:42:36 #
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