Does anyone here have experience with this convertor on the Z7?

no, but I'd be very interested to hear experiences of it too. It looks heavy, but as far as I'm aware this is the only zoom through adapter available, unless someone can correct me..?

That's correct, as far as I know. A thorough search came up with only this full-zoom solution. But are there sold so few that no-one can comment on it? Bad sign?

I tried to get a review unit for my Z5 EventDV review (which included a segment on conversion and replacement lens options for the Z7) but nothing materialized.

I did review most of the Century Optics conversion lenses (telephoto, WA, and fisheye).

EventDV.net: In the Field: Sony HVR-Z5U (http://www.eventdv.net/Articles/Editorial/In-the-Field/In-the-Field-Sony-HVR-Z5U-53359.htm)

I tried to get a review unit for my Z5 EventDV review (which included a segment on conversion and replacement lens options for the Z7) but nothing materialized.

I did review most of the Century Optics conversion lenses (telephoto, WA, and fisheye).

EventDV.net: In the Field: Sony HVR-Z5U (http://www.eventdv.net/Articles/Editorial/In-the-Field/In-the-Field-Sony-HVR-Z5U-53359.htm)

Does the Z5 accept the same conversion lenses as the Z7?

All of the Z7/S270 lenses are supposed to work with the Z5, except for the fisheye lenses.

Some users have reported problems with getting the 1.6x telephoto lens to lock on the bayonet mount - so that leaves the WA lenses that are out-of-the-box compatible.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/sony-hvr-z5-hdr-fx1000/145279-schneider-optics-century-1-6x-telephoto-problems.html

Thanks for the info, Shawn. I'll check into the Centuries.

I just checked and found one big disadvantage (besides the price, which is the double of the Raynox's): "allows zoom capability from wide angle to mid-range when using the camera in auto focus mode". I strongly prefer manual focus.

Guess you didn't read my review ;-) Have another look at the .75

<<I found the 0.75 to be the most useful; with the lens mounted, I could still focus manually, and I had full zoom-through. The 0.6 was limited to 75% of telephoto, but it worked only with autofocus and added some barrel distortion (curvature).

The 0.55 fisheye is designed for increased barrel distortion and had no zoom-through. Like the 0.6, it could only be used with the autofocus. Of all the conversion lenses I tested, the fisheye was the most fun, as it exaggerates depth; it pulls the foreground closer and pushes the background farther back.>>

Guess you didn't read my review ;-) Have another look at the .75

<<I found the 0.75 to be the most useful; with the lens mounted, I could still focus manually, and I had full zoom-through. The 0.6 was limited to 75% of telephoto, but it worked only with autofocus and added some barrel distortion (curvature).

>>

No no, I read that, but I was most intrigued by the 0,6. When using the 0,75 I only get 29 mm (35-mil.reference) as a result, which still is not really that wide.
What do you (and others) mean when stating that it 'works only with autofocus'? is it entirely impossible to get a manual focus, or is it just very critical?

Generally single element partial zoom-through adapters require that the camera focuses in the wide-angle macro mode to bring the image sharp. The requirement for 'auto focus' isn't strictly necessary, but letting the camera find focus automatically and then locking that in isn't a bad idea.

When you say you strongly prefer manual focus Luc, you do mean 'locked focus', don't you? You can't realistically manually focus on anything when you have a focal length in the region of 3 mm - everything's in focus all the time, from here to infinity, almost regardless of the aperture used.

Mike - surely Sony's own 0.8x is a fully zoom-through for the Z7.

tom.

What do you (and others) mean when stating that it 'works only with autofocus'? is it entirely impossible to get a manual focus, or is it just very critical?

It is NOT possible to manually focus with the WA lens. Don't ask me why or how the camera is able to focus on something in auto but not in manual. I'm not sure if I had the macro disabled though - so that might shed some light on why auto but not manual.

As far as I'm aware Sony doesn't produce an adapter for the Z7 but I'd love to be corrected.

As far as I'm aware Sony doesn't produce an adapter for the Z7 but I'd love to be corrected.

I found this for the 270: Sony VCL-HG0872. I presume it will fit on a Z7 too?

I thought I had read something about the Sony WA not working so I did some checking - the Sony VCL-HG0872 does not fit the Z7. Same thread size but the thread isn't deep enough. The (optimistic) salesperson I spoke said "..it works fine, it just keeps falling off.." Stupid Sony. So the Raynox remains the only zoom through option I know of. It's actually lighter than the Sony, although it doesn't look it. I might get one if I can find a good price. Will report back if I do.

I'm not so sure it is a 'stupid Sony' situation Mike. The Fuji lens on the Z7 is of a whole lot different construction to the Minolta (sorry - Sony G) lens on the Z5 and the Zeiss lens on the Z1, such that although they have the same filter thread diameters, the depths of the threads have been used to determine what fits on what.

Just out of curiosity, would it screw into a lens filter mounted on the camera?

I thought I had read something about the Sony WA not working so I did some checking - the Sony VCL-HG0872 does not fit the Z7. Same thread size but the thread isn't deep enough. The (optimistic) salesperson I spoke said "..it works fine, it just keeps falling off.." Stupid Sony. So the Raynox remains the only zoom through option I know of. It's actually lighter than the Sony, although it doesn't look it. I might get one if I can find a good price. Will report back if I do.

Thanks Mike, please let me know if you have one.

Well, I bought the Sony VCL-HG0872K wide conversion lens yesterday and it fits the Z7 perfectly. It comes with some kind of mattebox and it has a bayonet fitting. Th optical quality seems very good, from the first tests I ran yesterday. If I get a chance, I'll check if it also fits the Z5.

i have one on my z7 and it works perfect.

best regards from austria
fred

Well, I bought the Sony VCL-HG0872K wide conversion lens yesterday and it fits the Z7 perfectly. It comes with some kind of mattebox and it has a bayonet fitting. Th optical quality seems very good, from the first tests I ran yesterday. If I get a chance, I'll check if it also fits the Z5.

Fits on both camera's indeed and results are very good; the lens is quite heavy though

It is indeed heavy and worst of all so bulky - with its petal hood it's not something that you'd keep in your pocket. Nicely coated, doesn't add too much barrel distortion (ouch) and is sharp all the way through. But for what? A pretty feeble 0.8x increase, turning a 35 mm into a 28 mm. Ho-hum.

I read Adam Wilt's review of this lens recently: http://provideocoalition.com/index.php/awilt/story/review_sony_vcl_08x_wide_angle_adaptor_for_hvr_z5u/

He indicates that it was designed specifically for the Z5 actually. I thought this was fascinating, and wonder if it would also apply to the Z7?

The lens has the interesting side effect of correcting the Z5U’s worst optical attribute: a higher than normal amount of pincushion distortion through most of its zoom range.

Thanks for pointing me at such an interesting test of a wide-angle converter, Boyd. But although Sony's G lens pincushion distorts I don't find that an excuse for the converter to add some barrel distortion as correction. It is after all a wide-angle lens, and most people will be adding it for the increased fov coverage while at the same time (as Adam correctly points out) it is not without its side-effects.

So we've added a $1000, ½ kg lens that mildly widens the fov while adding to the barrel distortion and the flare. I hugely respect Adam's knowledge, experience and writing skills, but I did feel this review was written to make Sony smile.

Of course he's correct in that the lens is really designed to be attached at the start of the day and taken off at the end; a design for those that still want a 20x zoom but would rather have their focal lengths more balanced around the 'normal lens' position.

tom.