(Sorry if my english is bad... Norwegian)

I have just ordered the Pana GS400 PAL and I can't wait to get it! :-)
But I'm looking for wide angle lenses for the camera. Do you know about any?
I'm thankful for all help.
By the way, I was looking around and found this:
http://www.supervideo.com/Mamba21.jpg
Do you know the name on that lens, and where to buy it?

The mega gigantic hood too:
http://www.supervideo.com/SMambaSV010.jpg

I'm so frustrated, because I wan't that lense and the hood, but I have no clue where I can buy them.

Again: Thanks for the help.

Looks like the Panasonic factory wide angle lens. Check B&H, they have a picture of one.

It is the Pana wide angle. Model number can be seen in the pic. Don't know about any more recent production models, but the one I have does not have filter threads. Nor does the one in the photo. The owner lives in Hawaii; he told me he mounted a filter ring outside the wide angle (yes, glue) and attaches a hood to that. Not recommended for the faint of heart (or shaky of hand).

Stian, I can NOT recommend the Raynox HD-5000PRO for the GS400 as it gives some vignetting in several modes.
I think I'll try the Raynox HD-6600PRO 43mm soon. It should give better results, even almost without barrel distortion. And... I guess it's cheaper than the original Pana WA.
Maybe take a look here: http://www.raynox.co.jp.

It seems the 6600 is cheaper outside Japan. Strange isn't it? In fact, it is more expensive than the Pany wideconverter by almost JPY2000 :-(

Thank you for the replies.

http://pcmag.shopping.com/xFS?GKW=&ATV=454+lens+++filters-hoya&RST=DN-&FD=Photographic_Accessories-1385&FN=Photographic_Accessories&KW=hood
Will any of these lens hoods fit the GS400 leica lens?

They are all screw-in type so with the right adapter ring (s) to match the 43mm thread of the GS400, they should easily fit. Whether or not any of these lens hoods will cause vignetting is another matter.

Do you really not a third-party lens hood for your GS400? The supplied one, though short, should suffice for most shooting situations, I think.

Do you knowhere I can find the right adapter rings?

Stian,
What you need are stepup rings. You can find them at most photo/video stores. Find a hood that you like and get its filter thread size. Then get a stepup ring that takes the GS400 from 43mm to whatever size your hood's threads are. It's not in Norway, but B&H Photo Video has most things related to photography or video. They ship internationally.

If you want to see some rectangular hoods for the GS400, check out the Hama 52mm or 55mm hoods at B&H. These hoods are clip on rather than screw on. The 55mm will clip onto the flange of the GS400's built in hood.

I've used the HAMA 0.5 wideangel with good results. 100% zoom-through.

I have decided to go for this:

1: Tiffen 43mm UV Protector Glass Filter $ 9.25
2: General Brand 43mm-52mm Step-Up Ring (Lens to Filter) $ 6.95
3\4: Hama 52mm Screw-In Plastic Wide Angle Lens Hood with Cap $ 17.95
AND Hoya 52mm Screw-In Rubber Zoom Lens Hood for 35mm to 200mm Lenses $ 17.95

Will this work?

You don't need the step-up ring for the HAMA lens, it is provided with the lens.

This is the lens I own:
http://www.hama.de/portal/articleId*91127/action*2563

The front lens cap is M65 (outer diameter). I have not found any hood that fits. I just made my own out of some plastic and rubberband.

Do I need the stepup ring for the Hoya Hood?
But the HAMA Hood is a hood not a lens, or am I wrong?

Yes, you need the 43-52mm stepup ring for the Hama hood. However, the rectangular Hama hood is a clip on rather than a screw on. The hood clips to the outside of the stepup ring. You can see an example of how this works in the DV953 album on my website.

Sorry, I misunderstood your request.

HAMA produces both lenses and hoods. In B&H only sells the hoods, and you are interested in the HAMA hood and not the lens.

I belive you need the stepupring.

You will find all the equipment you need in a decent photo/videoshop in Norway.

Errrr, why do you need 2 lens hoods?

Guy, would it cause any scratches on the flange of the built-in hood of the Pany if the rectangular Hama is clipped on to it? I hate scratches :-) That's a pretty cool looking hood!

Why I need two hoods?
I don't really know, but it's always nice to have something to chose from. ;-)

Just put a Bower super wide angle on my GS-400 at the Sawgrass mall in Ft. Lauderdale...............It vignettes at wide open but looked clean thru LCD ........They wanted $320 I beleive it was a .490......More info soon!

Just put a Bower super wide angle on my GS-400 at the Sawgrass mall in Ft. Lauderdale...............It vignettes at wide open but looked clean thru LCD ........They wanted $320 I beleive it was a .490......More info soon!

Hi,

vignetting is the black area in the 4 corners, right?

I've tested the Vitacom .5x wide angle lens on the GS400. Didn't see any vignetting in video mode but when I switch to card mode, I see it at 1x. When I zoom to 2x, not more vignetting.

Question:
* What are the benefits of the wide angle lens besides
providing a wider angle view and letting more light into the
camera?
* Should I leave the side angle lens attached at all times? Seems
troublesome to take it off and on all the time.
* With the vignetting effect in the card mode, I would prefer to
use the wide angle lens only in video mode. Any suggestions?

$320...WHEW! That's a chunk of change! My Kodak Ektanar was only $40 and it doesn't vignette.

Alvin, a wide angle does not let in more light but it does provide an increased field of view. Leaving it on all the time is a matter of preference. If you shoot a lot of close up videos, then maybe leave it on.

Thanks guy.

Any idea why vignetting only happend in card mode
and not video mode?

If not for this problem, I would leave it on all the time. Come to think of it, if I only intend to tape video but not photo snapshots, then it would be ok.

The GS400's field of view is wider in card mode than in video mode (37.6 degrees vs. 44.5 in video).

Yes, it's using more of the chip's surface area in the stills mode than in video mode, which makes for wider wide-angles using the same focal length lenses.

Note that although a wide-angle converter ''sees more'', it's also useful for its perspective control, where items close to the camera are given more prominence that those further away. A bit like the reverse of telephoto compression if you like.

Also note that fitting a wide-angle converter will lose you a bit of light. Not much, but if you're down on your knees in the gloom, take off converter lenses, filters and stick to the wide end of the zoom.

tom.