Has anyone already spend their money on this wide conversion kit? I'm not sure if it's worth the $ 1000.00 price tag and would like to hear from someone who is using this on the Z5.

I just found this video about the converter: SONY VCL-HG0872K ???? by ?SIR : Xuite?? (http://vlog.xuite.net/vlog/guest/basic.php?media_id=aXNvZHlvLTE4MDQxMTIuZmx2)

I can't understand what he is saying, but it isn't difficult to guess. :)
At the end of the video you see some comparison shots from with and without the wide converter on the camera. The first two shots have a very noticeable barrel distortion and the following two are looking much better.

If anyone is interested, here is a review about the wide converter: ProVideo Coalition.com: Camera Log by Adam Wilt | Founder | Pro Cameras, HDV Camera, HD Camera, Sony, Panasonic, JVC, RED, Video Camera Reviews (http://provideocoalition.com/index.php/awilt/story/review_sony_vcl_08x_wide_angle_adaptor_for_hvr_z5u/)

Hi Derran, I have purchased this convertor for my Sony HVR-Z7 and I'm must admit I'm very satisfied with it. Agreed, at full wide-angle there is noticeable barrel distortion, but the overall sharpness is amazingly good. At full tele, the distortion is almost nil.

I also tried it on a Z5 and although the general result is a little less sharp (due to the Sony lens, rather than to the convertor, I presume) it is very acceptable. You can see screenshots of the convertor at almost full tele on both the Z5 and the Z5 in the Z7-thread: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/sony-hvr-z7-hvr-s270/234752-sony-vcl-hg0872k-wide-angle-conversion-lens.html

Hi Luc, Thanks for the info and screenshots!

Hmmm.. $1k seems kind of right if you divide the kit into matte box and adapter - $500 each is where other manufactures are selling theirs solutions.

Hmmm.. $1k seems kind of right if you divide the kit into matte box and adapter - $500 each is where other manufactures are selling theirs solutions.

Taking into account the sharpness, the construction quality, the versatilty (filter holder, French shade, unfolding lens cover...), it is a bargain, especially in Europe, where the price - for once! - is not just the equivalent in dollars. I'ts 'only' 775,- euros over here.

Okay, that is still 1045 USD, but usually prices in euro's are the same as in dollars, so that would mean 1045,- euros. Especially Apple is a real champion in this weird (and scandalous) manner of converting.

... Especially Apple is a real champion in this weird (and scandalous) manner of converting.

Luc, what do you mean here? I always thought that the currency conversion was done by the banks.

Stelios

Luc, what do you mean here? I always thought that the currency conversion was done by the banks.

Stelios

I mean that when I buy - say - an Apple 30 inch cinema display from a Premium Apple dealer in Belgium it costs 1799,- euros. The same display in the USA costs 1799,- dollars! That means we pay about 20% too much, taking in account the difference in currency.