January 24th Olympus/Panasonic POTW

<p>Sanford - in case it helps - what I've done with my Lumix 20/1.7 is this. No filter, but a 46-52 mm step ring, and then a 52 mm lens hood (second hand for pence from my local camera shop). Gives protection so I don't need a filter or cap, and it's always ready to use. The AF motor seems to cope with the weight, whcih is more than the Olympus kit lens did when I tried the same with that. And yes, it's a wonderful lens. Just do it!</p>

<p>John, I explored this possibility because I have a lot if 52mm Nikon filters. I was told that the lens barrel collapses into the lens when focused and the larger step up ring would hit the outer lens barrel with disastrous results. </p>

<p>Maybe what they meant was as the inner barrel moves foreword when you focus closer the lens would hit a filter secured to the outer barrel by a step up ring. I better get the 46mm filter.</p>

<p>Sanford - it's not happened to me in 6 months! But have just put the lens (Lumix 20/1.7) back on camera, and infinity focused and close focused. There is always clearance between the lens body and the Hoya step-up ring (which is about 2 mm in diameter larger than the front, threaded, part of the lens mount that moves when you focus). Focusing closer moves this front part of the mount further out, and at no point is the step up ring touching the lens (apart from via its thread). And yes, it was for my Nikon 52 filters that i went this route... YMMV but it works for me. It's the expletive deleted Olympus 14-42 with its poxy little motor that won't shift any weight that is giving me problems.</p>

<p>So the interior part of the lens will not hit the filter. I would much rather use a step of ring than buy a filter - price about the same though. I was looking at the B+W, about $22.50. My 14-45mm and 45-200mm Panasonic zooms are already 52mm. You have actually tried it with the filter in place?</p>

<p>I've (a) just re-examined the lens and the whole front, lens + filter thread, move together when focusing; and (b) yes I've had filters on - ND and soft (not that the type matters!). So you should be fine, as long as you don't blame me for crashing a £300 lens....</p>

<p>Googling "step up ring panasonic" I get a mix of opinions so maybe it depends on the brands being used. Most recommend a stand-off ring. I guess to play it safe I will just buy a nice B+W 46mm UV filter. Well, I guess we've obsessed on this subject enough. Now, do I want the digit UV filter, the multi-coated UV filter or regular UV filter? </p>

<p>Why do you need any protective filter? The actual glass portion of the lens is smaller than a quarter... </p>

<p>Good question - no real answer. I don't use them on my Nikons. Probably because I don't bother with lens caps on my Panasonic lenses for the sake of speed and I have all those expensive 52mm Nikon filters laying around.</p>

<p>Wouldn't it be nice if the little pancakes had an electronic leaf shutter in front of the lens like a compact point and shoot!? Now that would be fantastic. Kind of off-topic, but still fantastic =)</p>

<p><strong>**Side note</strong>: My E-5, 12-60mm, 50-200mm, 8mm, 1.4tc, are all boxed up and ready to go back to the store. m4/3 all the way! Definitely not happy with the performance of this camera, especially considering it is just about as big and heavy as my old D700 =P Perhaps I will use the exchange money for an EVF, 7-14mm, 14 pancake, 45 macro, and a telephoto zoom...</p>

<p>Suppose I ought to share a picture: <strong>EP2/20mm</strong>. Halifax FIC.</p>

<p><a title="Untitled by Patrick E Porter, on Flickr" href=" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5260/5395887501_9d290e23da_z.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" /></a></p>

<p>Procrastinated too long, 20mm just went up $25.00 at B&H!</p>