Not a dslr
 

Hi all, I am new to this forum and have read some articles etc but it appears to be mainly based on DSLR cameras. I have a Panasonic FZ 38 but cannot find anything related to my camera. Being new to photography i am interested in the basics, F-stops, ISO etc. so where do i look?
The video tutorials are good but newbies need basics first. Oh and i don't care for books on the subject, had loads from the library and wouldn't buy one of them.
Wish i had bought a DSLR in retrospect.
Question, which DSLR takes 55 mm lenses? I bought telephoto and marcro lenses for my FZ38 so if i buy a DSLR would like to use the same lenses as they are not cheap.
Many thanks in advance for any and all help.
E.

Hi Eysha and welcome.

[URL="http://www.photonhead.com/"]THIS[/URL] is a great place to learn about f stops etc and is an excellent place for beginners to start.

I don't know about your question about the lenses but suspect that you can get adapters for some makes of camera that will accept the lenses although you may lose any electronic connection with the camera nad have to use them manually.

Hi Eysha, welcome to the forum

I've written a tutorial which explains the basics of exposure which you can read [url=http://www.p2photo.co.uk/#/stops-f-numbers/4544845165]here[/url].

With regards to the lens you've bought, I assume it screws onto the front of your current camera and has a 55mm thread diameter. If thats the case, it will fit to all sorts of SLRs as it screws onto the lens and not the camera directly.

As Steve mentioned, there are also adaptors which allow you to fit it to lenses of different sizes, although using it on a lens of a larger size (say a 67mm lens) would give you some rather odd results.

Thanks for the replies, i will read with interest the suggested posts.
I was asking about putting the lenses on to a DSLR camera, as in which DSLR will take the 55mm lenses.
Thanks
E.
[url]www.eyshasfineart.co.uk[/url]

Hi eysha,

I have just had a look at the FZ38 and, as Chris says, it looks like those lenses screw on to the front of your existing lens. To this end, they will also only screw on to the front of a DSLR lens with a 55mm thread unless your lens has a smaller thread where you can buy a step up ring. If your DSLR has a larger thread than 55mm you can buy step down rings but will probably find that the images look like you are shooting down a pipe.

Hi Eysha, the science behind photography is pretty much the same regardless of what camera you are using. There may be some localised nuances that are different, but nothing that can't be sorted out by forum members I would say. Best thing to do is wade in and start asking those questions you long to have an answer to.

Silversnapper, i was looking to find out exactly which DSLR camers would take the 55mm lenses?
Keith T, thanks, i have loads to learn and find it daunting but i hope to learn lots here. Thanks again. E.

Hi Eysha,
It's not so much which camera will take your lenses, but which lens fitted to your camera that will take them. You could look around and see what lenses offer that (Filter) thread. I seem to recall that Nikon had an entry level 28-100mm zoom for the F55 and F65 cameras, which would work on any later Nikon DSLR. If memory serves me right this was 55mm thread, but what results this would give with your add-ons I wouldn't like to say. The Macro will probably work OK, but the tele might be a bit peculiar. Alternatively, the older Canon Prime (50mm focal length) lenses used to be a 55mm filter thread.
Frankly, you are going to be looking for something second-hand if you're going to restrict yourself in this way. My advice would be to cut your losses and sell your kit on eBay, then go out and buy a DSLR of your choice without any restrictions, if that's what you want.
However, my strong recommendation would be to work with what you've got. A DSLR will not make you a better photographer. You could do a lot worse than learning the elements of photography with your existing camera and the superb tutorials you will find here. Then, when you feel more confident and you know what you're doing, you could take a step up to a DSLR confident that you're making the right choices, and believe me, the choices are bewildering - even for Pros.
A further suggestion would be to enrol in a Basic course at a local college. These are pretty inexpensive, cover all the essentials and they don't care if you have a Nikon D3X or a 10-year old mobile phone with a camera in it.
Good luck

Thanks Jet-Kit, Can't sell my kit as i have just bought it all and it cost me about the same as a decent DSLR. Your advice is good and yes i have to learn how to use my camera better. There are no courses near me to learn so it has to be all online and free, lol.
As for choices in DSLR's it is a mine field. I like the look of a canon but...
Thanks.
E.

[QUOTE=eysha;38828]Thanks Jet-Kit, Can't sell my kit as i have just bought it all and it cost me about the same as a decent DSLR. Your advice is good and yes i have to learn how to use my camera better. There are no courses near me to learn so it has to be all online and free, lol.
As for choices in DSLR's it is a mine field. I like the look of a canon but...
Thanks.
E.[/QUOTE]

Eysha, I have sent you a pm. Please check your inbox.