FunPhil Loc: Cypress, TX

For Father's Day my family gave me new equipment I have never had. I do not know what it is, what to do with it, and I am too embarrassed to tell the family that. So, help me out.

What is a tulip hood? How do you use it? Does it make any difference if the two large lips on the sides go on top and bottom or on either side?

What do I use filter kit for? It has three filters: 1) UV, 2) CPL, and 3) FLD. I do not know what those letters stand for except for the UV polarizing lens.

They also gave me a "0.43X Wide Angle lens with Macro Portion" I know macro means a very large scale. So is this for wide angle landscapes?

Another lens is called a "2.2 X Telephoto High Definition lens." My camera already carries a 1,000 MM telephoto lens. So does this mean the new lens will double that? If so I think it would go from the present 42X magnification to 84X. Then the camera at its 42X can increase to 84MM if I crop heavily. Will I still be able to crop that heavily? Will it go to 168X magnification?

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Happy Fathers Day! Enjoy.

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

A tulip lens shade is the same as an old fashioned lens shade except that part has been cut out. The advantage is you can use it with a little wider angle lens. the longer petals go top & bottom. You won't experience any image cutoff with it.

The filters you got are very useful. The UV should be on your lens at all times (I'm sure there will be some out there that disagree). It's called cheap insurance for the front element of your lens. The CPL (circular polarizer) helps with a lot of things. When you shoot pictures with water, it can reduce reflections. The FLD is for use when you're shooting under fluorescent lights. In this case, Daylight tubes that appear fairly blue. I would recomment Bryan Petersen's book "Understanding Exposure". It's available for the iPad or on Amazon.com.

The macro item is generally for extreme closeups, not wide angle landscapes.

The 2.2X telephoto should in fact double+ your effective focal length. As for cropping, you may experience some rather fuzzy images.

The best way to learn what each of these will do is PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. That's the advantage of digital.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

What camera do you have? When you say "carries 1,000 mm" and you mention the X factor, I'm thinking you might have a bridge camera. Many don't accept teleconverters.

FunPhil Loc: Cypress, TX

Thanks for the info. That gives me a start on what to do to practice with it.

FunPhil Loc: Cypress, TX

Mine is a Nikon P 510. It does not accept many accessories. These, however are designed for that camera and adjust it to the rather common 67 MM size receptor. I really like it.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Excellent!

FunPhil Loc: Cypress, TX

I was thinking just today about Maine's super good lobsters and corn on the cob. It must have been hard to leave that and move to WA. WA is acceptable but does not come with lobsters like Maine's.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I live in the dry, central part of WA. The sunshine and lack of humidity helped make up for loss of New England seafood :) And I can always travel over to Seattle for a fix, even if not Maine lobstah :)

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Gee, all I got so far is Led Zeppelin's remastered Mothership album and $25 cash so far. But the cash I'll use for something photo related!

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

Now that you've got some goodies to play with, how about posting some shots.

FunPhil Loc: Cypress, TX

Do a search on here for "Honey Moon". I did that before I got this stuff.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

You lucky man! You got stuff you didn't know you needed.

bsmith52 Loc: Northeast Alabama

Fathers day? I got something that makes every camera work great.... My first grandchild. Isn't she gorgeous?!

nuyalic Loc: Lancaster, SC

She is a baby doll!!!!!