Lens extension FA50

Hi all, another question from me:

Can I extend the FA50?, why I hear you say.
Well, I have limited use in my right arm and find the camera fairly difficult to hold with this particular lens fitted. I would imagine extension tubes could be used??? I dont know. I really want to use this lens more, since using it I am less satisfied with the 18-55 which has more to hold onto though.
Would appreciate some comments please

Regards

Chris
K200D

Extension tubes move the lens away from the camera so that you can focus towards closer distances (like a macro lens); the trade off is that you lose distance/infinity focus so it's not much use for walking around with.

You could always try wrapping something around the lens barrel to give it more bulk?

...or (brainwave) a big hood! The front element doesn't rotate so holding onto it won't effect operation, just make sure you get a rigid one (like the one on your 18-55) and not one of the rubber ones - any with a 49mm filter thread attachment would do, it doesn't have to be specifically for Pentax.

Sounds like a good idea hefty-thanks.
I have been trying to get the proper hood for the FA -I figured that a generic one would give vignetting at certain focal lengths.
If I put the 50-200 hood on the 18-55 I get vignetting at 18-so I guess the 'right' hood may work on the 50
Not sure i'm making sense

Regards
Chris

The SMCP-FA 50mm only has one focal length, it's not a zoom lens. Any screw on hood that you can find for a 50mm lens (or wider angle lens) will be fine.

Pete, thanks for that
So much to learn

regards

Chris

Wide angle lenses (like the focal lengths your 18-55 covers) tend to have petal shaped hoods, telephoto lenses tend to have simpler cone shaped hoods. As the 50mm is neither wide nor telephoto (just "normal") then I reckon you could get away with pretty much anything. Added benefits of a rigid hood include damage protection for the front of the lens and improved contrast due to the shading from intense light sources.

Add to all this the fact you can get generic ones new for well under a fiver and it's hard to see where you could go wrong!

Another thought would be adding a flash bracket which might give you more grip. Depending on the angle at which it is attached you might be able to increase stability.

Example

Mrning all
Hefty thanks for explaining the different hoods and uses

A really fantastic option which I hadn't thought of!! cheers Gareth

Regards

chris