MORE ON POINT & SHOOT CAMERA FILTERS

  In a recent posting I described a "homemade" technique for attaching filters to many point and shoot (P&S) digital cameras that don't have a threaded base for attaching normal screw-in filters.  In that post I alluded to potential developments being discussed on the web for more professional attachment methods.

  So far I've run across three different vendors offering various methods for attaching filters smooth-front point and shoot cameras.

  Two of the vendors use an adhesive tape technique for attaching filters or other lens attachments to the camera.  The other vendor uses a magnetic attaching technique.  In the following paragraphs I'll give my personal evaluation of each technique and what I see as each method's plusses and minuses.

  The first vendor (and the earliest in the game as best as I can determine) is Lensmateonline.  Their technique is to use adhesive tape to attach a thin base to the front of the lens.  This base has a bayonet mount on it.  A threaded adapter to hold lenses is then attached to the permanently attached base via the bayonet mount.  After that normal screw-in filters can be used.  (See image below.)

This vendor is currently selling such a mount for several P&S camera models.  The version for the Canon S100/S95/S90 would very similar to that for the Sony RX100.  I am told by the vendor that they will be offering a similar mount for the RX100 sometime in September.  Price: $32.95 (for the Canon model).  Availability: September.

  The second vendor using an adhesive tape attachment technique is based in Germany and is selling their unit via eBay.  Their technique is based on attaching, via adhesive tape, a base to the lens similar to the technique above.

  But their base itself contains the threads for directly attaching a screw-in filter of the desired type as shown in the video below.



  This vendor appears to currently offer a setup only for the RX100 but I think it could be applied to other P&S lenses of similar dimension.  Price: €25.00 (about $31.20).  Availability: Now

  The third vendor - Carryspeed (via Amazon) - I've run across uses a base that attaches to  the camera front using magnetism.  As you can see in the video below, you can quickly mount or dismount the base from the camera.



  With this system each filter type comes with its own magnetic base for attachment.  Price: $24.95 (for each filter type).  Availability: "Real soon now".

MY COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Lensmateonline         Pro:  Lowest profile bayonet base
                                               Uses existing screw-in filters (37 mm for the Canon S100)
                                               Filters can be stacked

                                     Con: Adhesive tape mounting
                                              Two piece base
                                               Small filter size (37 mm) may lead to vignetting when stacked

eBay vendor              Pro: One-piece base
                                             Uses existing screw-in filters (46 mm)
                                             Filters can be stacked (chance for vignetting should be minimal)

                                    Con: Adhesive tape mounting (said to be easily removable) 
                                             Higher installed profile
                                             Larger filter size (46 mm) 

Carryspeed               Pro: Easy on/off attachment
                                             No permanent base required
                                             Two sizes available for different camera models

                                    Con: Cannot use existing screw-in filters
                                              Only polarizer announced so far
                                              Cannot stack filter types
                                              Must buy proprietary filters with attached base

SUMMARY

  I really like the Amazon magnetic attachment method.  It's self-centering and easy to add or remove.  HOWEVAH, I don't like the fact that I have to purchase their filters to use it. I have a ton of conventional screw-in filters of many different sizes and types that I would like to use instead of purchasing more from them.  I actually left a comment on their blog indicating the desirability of separating the magnetic base from the filters.

  The Lensmateonline version's big advantage is the low profile of the base when attached so that it shouldn't interfere with using it in a tightly fitting camera case.  My worry about this system (without any hands-on experience) is that stacking filters - say an ND and a polarizer - may lead to vignetting.

  So...that leaves the eBay version.  Although the more or less permanently attached base is a little higher than the Lensmateonline unit, it uses 46 mm filters which should minimize vignetting problems.  I also have a set of 46 mm filters that I normally carry with me on shoots for use with another of my cameras.  Therefore, I have decided to order one of these attachments to try with my RX100. I'll report on it after I've had a chance to try it.

  All of the above products will work well, I believe.  Each person will need to analyze the features of each approach to determine which best meets their requirements.  I think that there's enough different sizes available to fit a large variety of P&S cameras.

  If anyone decides to try either of the other two types of add-ons on their P&S I'd like to hear about your opinion of them.