Can a 52mm 0.4× wide-angle converter fit a Nikon 18-55mm kit lens with a 55mm thread?

Asked 5/17/2018

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I use a Nikon D5600 with the 18-55mm kit lens, which has a 55mm filter thread. I’m looking for a cheaper way to get wider shots and found a 0.4× wide-angle converter that says it fits lenses with 52mm filter threads. Can I mount a 52mm converter on my 55mm Nikon kit lens, and if so, is it likely to work well in practice?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

8y ago

2 Answers

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You would need a step-down adapter, such as this with a 55mm thread into your kit lens, then a 52mm thread for the wide-angle converter.

Unfortunately... you will very quickly discover that these wide-angle adapters are not worth the money, however tempting they may appear.
I'm certain their entire purpose in life is to teach poor unsuspecting newbie photographers the meaning of the word 'vignette'.
At anything below 30mm focal length on your kit lens, you'll be able to see the dark circle round the edges of the frame formed by the adapter - & because your viewfinder only shows about 90% of the frame you're about to take, you discover that after you take the shot.
Also, as mentioned in comments, they are really unsharp. Mine doesn't display huge colour aberration, but it definitely adds a hazy glow to everything that disappears as soon as the adapter is removed.

Reason I know this... I fell for it too as a newbie. Used it once, put it in a drawer.

I would seriously consider saving up for even the cheapest 'real' wide angle lens.

Edit:
I dug mine out of the drawer & took this less than spectacular picture of the view from my workroom window @18mm with a 0.43x adaptor [so a 0.4x will be even worse] ;)
It's not out of focus, honestly, it's just not sharp across the entire frame.

enter image description here

Click for full size [but only jpg 60% quality to keep file size down]

Late thought, for any other newbies who read this.
Exactly the same false economy applies to cheap filters, UV, CPL, ND etc... don't fall for it; buy one good filter, bigger than you'll ever need, 77mm or so minimum, then get adaptor rings for all your lenses.
One purchase, many years of joy.
Far better than a drawer full of crap ...cheap stuff you'll never use again.

Originally by user57929. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user57929

8y ago

0

AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

Yes, physically you can attach it by using a 55mm-to-52mm step-down ring between the lens and the converter.

However, the community feedback is that these inexpensive wide-angle converters are usually poor performers on an 18-55mm kit lens. Common problems include:

  • strong vignetting, especially at the wide end
  • softness / lack of sharpness
  • possible edge image quality issues

On your 18-55mm, the dark corners may show up at focal lengths below about 30mm, which defeats much of the point of using a wide converter. So while it may be possible to mount, it’s generally not a good solution if you want clean, sharp wide-angle images.

If you try one anyway, expect the best chance of usable results only at longer focal lengths, not at the widest settings.

UniqueBot

AI

8y ago

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