Anyone have any experience with anything okay or better in the 2X range, or so? Any brand you've tried that you would advise to avoid? How about the idea of considering a 52mm or 55mm tele
with a step down ring (from the VX' 58mm threads) or is this a bad idea?

Dave,

Sony has a spectacular 1.7x tele-extender that is 58mm! It's excellent and is less expensive than the Century version. Make sure you get the "HG" version- it stands for high-grade and it's optically excellent!!!!!

I am 100% agree with Steve....I have the same sony tele adapter and it works great!

FP

Is it total zoom through? Is there any vignetteing at the wide?

Hi Dave,
I sold my Sony 1.7X and got the century 2.0X with the bayonet mount which is much sturdier than the screw on mount.
I found the lens to be really better in color and contrast, and really use it a lot for wildlife. The 2.0X is just enough for small wildlife and sometimes I even have to use the 2.0X digital zoom although I don't like to. Only for this reason I would like to have the GL2 for the extra Zoom.
Mike

"Is it total zoom through? Is there any vignetteing at the wide?"

Yes Dave, the Sony tele lens has vignetteing at wide.

FP

Mike,

I've seen bayonet mount offered- what is that and how does that work in difference to the screw in mount?

Thanks, guys. I'm going to get the Sony HG.

Hi Steve,
It mounts directly on the outer side of the camera lens and not where the filter screws into. The bayonet only needs about 1/4 turn, and is much stronger than the thread mount which can also be dificult when you are in a hurry. The only negative is that I have to take off the UV filter before.
It gives a more secure feeling knowing that you are not putting any strain on the VX2000.
Mike

Got in the Sony 1.7X HG Sony telephoto. Had a chance to take a brief look at it this evening. Initial impression is that there is some loss in sharpness and contrast with this lens. I'll try to get a better look during the day. I must decide by tomorrow what to do with the lens. Anyone else notice any trouble with this lens?

Dave,

I never noticed a drop in sharpness or contrast- but then again I shot in pretty good lighting. I shot with a GL2 and supposedly the VX is sharper so maybe you do take a small hit in sharpness.....are u finding it un-useable?

I put up a review of the Sony 1.7X telephoto and it's use with a VX in the "Open DV Discussion" forum.

Hey guys (and gals). I just purchased a tele and wide lense. When I zoom in all the way there is a black circle. It's like looking through a looking glass. What is that? Is that normal? How can I get rid of that???

Sounds like vignetting. Your filter ring or the lens barrel is in the frame. This happens when you go wide.

You said when you zoom in meaning full telephoto? Which lens does this happen with?

It happens with the Telephoto lens. How can I avoid vignetting?

Hi Ge-lee,
As far as I know that is quite normal, for all telefotos.
I find my Century starts vignetting about half way towards wide angle.
Mike

Wow, I thought I had bought a defective lense.

Sony 1.7X is the same way as the Century: Starts vignetting at half towards the wide.

Hello Dave....Did you like the Sony 1.7X lens?

Federico

Yes, Federico, I think the Sony 1.7X is a good lens. I have a review of this lens over at the DV Info forum's "Open DV Discussion". The post is entitled "Must Decide Today: Sony 1.7X Telephoto".
A couple of things I was most pleased about it is that it is very sharp and does not cut down on light transmission to the tape.
My biggest concern was the vignetting, which only appears at
the half-way zoomed wide position (and gets progressivly more pronounced as you zoom towards full wide). I wondered if the Century tele was this same way but now I see, from Mike Black's post, that the Century has the same vignetting.
I would recommend the Sony lens. Do note that the lens I have (and the one that was reviewed) is the "HG" (high grade) model.