Nikon sells wide angle adapters for the Coolpix 950 and similar cameras for  $100-$200.

On Ebay, and elsewhere, you can find similar screw-on adapters for about $40

So what's the scoop?  Is Nikon ripping everyone who wants genuine Nikon equipment?
 
 

Brand X	Nikon wc-e24	Nikon wc-e63

These lenses do work, but maybe not as smoothly as parts of the original camera system.  The physical characteristics are not necessarily completely compatible. Each camera/adapter pair will have its own characteristics, but the fundamental problem which seems to be common to all these adapters is that they are larger in diameter than the underlying lens, so they tend to block other controls and sensors on the camera face.

• The no-name adapter sold at Freedomphoto.com is designed for video cameras. When mounted on my Nikon Coolpix 950, it partly blocks the viewfinder, partly shadows the flash, and reflects so much light back to the flash sensor that the flash shuts down immediately.

 
• In effect, this adapter is  useless for flash photography unless you also tape over the flash sensor, which fools the flash into firing with maximum intensity.
• Even if you trick the flash into firing,  part of the frame is shadowed by the lens, and there is no exposure control on the flash.
• Since the viewfinder is partially blocked, you must use the LCD preview rather than the viewfinder.  Nikon owners will know that the LCD screen can be very hard to use in bright sunlight.


Similar adapters made by Nikon seem to have the same or worse problems.

Nikon Coolpix 950 Note the viewfinder, and flash return sensor between the flash and the lens.	Nikon Coolpix 950 + Wide Angle Adapter Note that the auxiliary controls are blocked from the aim point of the camera.

 
 
• These lenses introduce a lot of barrel distortion, much, much more than the already severe distortion that the Coolpix normally exhibits at a wide angle setting.  It should be noted that the distortion on the $200 Nikon is just as bad.  No matter how much you paid, you might be unhappy with this effect if you're shooting buildings.  Fortunately, there is a cure for this problem, the Andromeda LensDoc filter.  No kidding, it's like magic.

	An interior shot at Nikon Coolpix 950's widest angle
	The same shot with the wide angle adapter.  Note the shadow of the lens cast by the flash (which was tricked into firing by taping over the sensor) and the severe barrel distortion.  Note that if the subject were in the center, the shadow might not be terrible.
	The same image, repaired by LensDoc
	An exterior with a prominent roof line, shot with the wide angle adapter.  Note the apparent curvature of the roof.
	The same image, repaired by LensDoc
	An exterior shot at the Coolpix 950's widest angle.
	The same street with the wide angle adapter.  Since there are no really prominent straight lines, the barrel distortion isn't nearly as noticeable.

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