LENS/ADAPTOR for CANON POWERSHOT S5IS

[jalaimo]

Hi,

I am an aspiring fashion photography and have been working with little to no equipment for the past 3 years. I currently have a Canon Powershot S5is which is pretty limiting to me at times, but I've been able to get the job done.
I am very much interested in improving my photography and gaining more knowledge, as I am self taught and have a lot to learn. I really want to get an add on lens for my camera, but am guessing I will need some sort of adaptor for my Canon. Does anyone have any suggestions of which adaptor to get?
I shoot a lot of outdoor fashion shoots and also frequently at indoor concerts…. I realize these are two very separate environments…. but can anyone suggest the best (first) lens I should purchase to take my photography to the next level?

thanks so much for all of your suggestions, I really appreciate it!
: ) Jenny

[inkista]

If you can find a used one, the Lensmate for the S5IS would be the one I'd recommend. The Canon adapter tube (which basically just lets you have a 58mm filter thread in front of the lens) was plastic, the lensmate one was aluminum and cost the same, but it's not going to be easy to find one these days, since Lensmate stopped making them a few years ago.

I don't think you really need to sweat which one you get, though, these are just hollow tubes with the bayonet mount for the S5IS on one end, and 58mm or 52mm filter threads on the other. Figure out what conversion lenses/filters you want to add, see what size they are, and pick the tube accordingly, or use a step-up/step-down ring on the tube.

My personal inclination would be to only use filters, and not go for the conversion lenses. They'll be fun, but the image quality will not be as nice as what you have with the camera without them. If you really want the flexibility of different lenses for different situations, you probably want an interchangeable lens camera, like a dSLR or mirrorless compact. And that's a big leap up in expense.