I see both a Panasonic AG-LW4307 and a Panasonic VWW4307HPPK are avilable online - can anyone comment on their relative quality? Are there other 0.7X 43mm wideangles I should be considering?

I'm still thinking about which wide angle adapter to go with.

Right now, the Century 0.5x looks the most interesting at about $160:
Lens Mount 43mm Filter Thread
Mounting 43mm Filter Thread
Zoom Through Partial (One user reported up to 1/2 way in the zoom range.)
Magnification 0.5x
Filter Size 67mm
Dimensions (WxD) 1.77 x 0.37" (45 x 9.4mm)
Weight 4.6 oz (131g)
Century Precision Optics | 0HD-05WA-43 0.5x Wide | 0HD-05WA-43 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/577500-REG/Century_Precision_Optics_0HD_05WA_43_0HD_05WA_43_0_5x_Wide_Angle.html)


Raynox makes some adapters:

Raynox
HD-3035PRO Semi-Fisheye Conversion Lens (0.3x, 37mm)
* Broadens Angle of View 180%
* Compatible with Up to 6x Zoom
* High Resolution 520 line/mm
* 37mm Thread Mount
* 2 Groups/2 Elements
* Utlra Wide Angle 0.3x
* Lens Shade Mask Included
* 27/30/30.5/34/43mm Adapter Rings
* Up to 6x zoom
* # HD-3035PRO About $125 Does NOT have a front mount for any additional lens hood, but comes with a plastic hood.
Raynox | HD-3035PRO Semi-Fisheye Conversion Lens | HD-3035PRO (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/646214-REG/Raynox_HD_3035PRO_HD_3035PRO_Semi_Fisheye_Conversion_Lens.html)

Raynox
HD-6600 Pro 43mm 0.66x High Quality Wide Angle Converter Lens
Magnification 0.66x
Zoom Through: Yes (I assume they are talking about the full zoom range)
Rear Mount Diameter 43mm
Front Mount Diameter 72mm (for lens hood)
Construction, Elements/Groups 3E/3G
Lens Diameter 3.0" (75mm)
Length 1.54" (39mm)
Weight 6.27 oz (178g)
# HD660043 About $120
Raynox | HD-6600 43mm 0.66x Pro Wide Angle Lens | HD660043 | B&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/227155-REG/Raynox_HD6600PRO43_HD_6600_43mm_0_66x_Pro.html)


One user gave a good review on the Century with his HMC40 and there's some hint that the Raynox adapters may be good, but I don't have any user reporting on putting it on the HMX40.


Bob Diaz

Awhile back, reading what users wrote about the Raynox HD6600 with the HV20/30, apparently the 52mm (rear mount - using a 43mm to 52mm step up ring) version works better than the 43mm one.

Hmmm ... I have a 37mm Raynox and it's only OKish - definitely not as good as my Sony.

i have the panasonic one
Panasonic | VWW4307HPPK 0.7x Wide Angle | VW-W4307HPPK | B&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/527981-REG/Panasonic_VW_W4307HPPK_VWW4307HPPK_0_7x_Wide_Angle.html)
and i have zero complaints with it,to my eye theres no distortion or vignetting at all

Just to say that adding a 0.7x wide converter to an HMC 40 doesn't give you much in the way of the wide-angle look, and that's because the 41 mm (equivalent) of the supplied zoom is so (dare I say it?) unacceptable.

Bob's thoughts on fitting a 0.5x will make the 20.5 mm equivalent look pretty impressive, but usually such powerful add-on lenses bring gobs of barrel distortion to the mix.

tom.

I'm wanting full zoom-through so I've ordered the HPPK model ... Found a link saying the other Panasonic was not intended for their HD cams. Thanks everyone.

Just to say that adding a 0.7x wide converter to an HMC 40 doesn't give you much in the way of the wide-angle look, and that's because the 41 mm (equivalent) of the supplied zoom is so (dare I say it?) unacceptable.

Bob's thoughts on fitting a 0.5x will make the 20.5 mm equivalent look pretty impressive, but usually such powerful add-on lenses bring gobs of barrel distortion to the mix.

tom.

There is going to be some distortion to the video, which depending on what you're trying to do, may or may not be a good thing. Here's a link to a ZIP file that contains a 720p video file using the Century adapter.

http://mikemclin.com/files/HMC40_Century_0.5x_FlowPod.zip


Bob Diaz

We got an older Panasonic 0.7 WA lens off eBay, not the current model but it's 43mm so it fits fine. It works well enough, gives the HMC40 a little bit more of a normal zoom range, IMO. It stays on the camera most of the time now. The only problem is this one doesn't have an external screw thread for a filter or, more importantly, a lens hood. Of course, the original lens hood no longer fits, so it's rather susceptible to flare if you have the sun at any kind of angle off the lens. For indoor use, it is great though. If the current version of the Panasonic 0.7WA 43mm lens has filter threads on the front, then I would definitely say it's worth getting some kind of screw in lens hood to put on there, as long as it doesn't vignette of course.

Robert

Bob, thanks for the clip, that's pretty intense. Definitely seems like it'll work for the look I'll be trying to achieve. I be the CO Fisheye is really nuts in that case.

According to another user, the Century Adapter allows a zoom up to 50% before the image goes out of focus. I assume that translates to a 6x zoom.

If so it would give a 35mm equivalent of about 21.5 --> 129 zoom. I don't know if the image looses sharpness as one reaches the telephoto range, but even if we are limited to 21.5 --> 35, that would still cover a good range for wide angle.


Bob Diaz

I have quite a few 'non zoom-through' adapters and they all allow about 60% of the original zoom range to be used. My 0.52x on my Z1 lets me film from 00 to 65 on the 00 to 99 zoom scale in the v'finder.

What's nice is that at 66 the image goes suddenly and completely out of focus, and this effect I cannot replicate in post anywhere near as beautifully. I often use it in a dissolve to the next scene.

tom.

VWW4307H-PPK just arrived - no front filter threads, sadly. Whereas it looks like the Century does have threads....

The lack of filter threads is a very sensible design decision. You might be planning on fitting this to a camcorder with tiny ½" chips and smaller, and filters + very short focal lengths just do not mix.

If ever I see threads at the front of a wide converter I call them hood threads.

I was responding to Robert who asked if there were threads for a hood. These adapters are VERY prone to flare.

If anyone is interested, the Panasonic WA converter lens I found on eBay was the VW-LW4307W, which I guess is just an older version of the one Graham got. Sorry to hear your's doesn't have a "hood thread" either Graham. Maybe you can fabricate something, don't know how helpful it would be as these are definitely prone to flare, so something would be better than nothing. I got mine on a hunch, it was on an auction where the seller didn't know anything about the lens, only posted a photo of it. I think I paid $25 for it, but it didn't come with a lens cap! I managed to make my own out of a cover for a filter holder. I'm trying to figure out some way to fabricate a lens shade of some kind, a little harder task.

Robert

The Schneider Optics Century .5x for 43mm does vignette on the HMC40. The .5x does not vignette on most other 37mm and 43mm cameras.

The .65x that we manufacture does not vignette on this camera and is full zoom-through so we recommend it for this camera.

As a matter of course, we offer front filter threads on our attachments because many users want to buy polarizers and ND filters for these to enhance the professional look of the images. Diffusion filters will not work well on these cameras with adapters because of the short focal lengths but regular polarizers and ND filter effects work well.

Flare is a possible issue when using any wide angle adapter but has not been strongly reported by users to us or during my experiences using the adapters for sample images.

Check out our .65x here:

.65X WIDE ANGLE CONVERTER 43MM - Schneider Optics (http://www.schneideroptics.com/ecommerce/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?CID=1506&IID=6713)

Ryan Avery
Schneider Optics

Ryan, has anyone at Schneider tested a 52mm-threaded Mk I or 58mm-threaded Mk II fisheye with step-up rings and the HMC40 yet? I know that there would be vignetting with the 43mm Mk II, but is there any with either of the above setups?

The 58mm MKII does not vignette with a setup ring. To my knowledge, we never made a 52mm MKI; it was always a 58mm which would vignette since that lens has intentional vignetting in the design.

For no vignetting, you would actually be better off buying our 46mm MKII and using a 46-43 step ring which I have linked below:

.3X ULTRA FISHEYE ADAPTER 46MM - Schneider Optics (http://www.schneideroptics.com/Ecommerce/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?CID=1604&IID=7056)

Ryan Avery
Schneider Optics

Pretty sure that you guys had a 52mm-threaded Mk I for the TRV-900, but maybe I'm wrong. I didn't realize that you made a 46mm-threaded version. I'll have to check that out.

Thanks!

Ryan, would the 43 mm .5 vignette on the HMC40 with the lens zoomed in to about 25 mm (35 mm equivalen with the wide angle converter attached)?

Pat

edit: nevermind, thought you were asking about the fisheye.

Has anyone tried the Century Optics 0HD-65CV-43 0.65x Wide Angle Converter Lens???

Here's a link for it:
0HD65CV43 Century Optics .65X Wide Angle HD Converter with 43mm Full Zoom Adapter (http://www.adorama.com/CYOHD65CV43.html?searchinfo=43mm+hd+wide+angle)
and
Century Precision Optics | 0HD-65CV-43 0.65x Wide | 0HD-65CV-43 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/577502-REG/Century_Precision_Optics_0HD_65CV_43_0HD_65CV_43_0_65x_Wide_Angle.html#features)

Don't know why the pics are different, but anyways...
It has zoom through capabilities, but it goes for nearly $300...

What do y'all think?

Ryan, would the 43 mm .5 vignette on the HMC40 with the lens zoomed in to about 25 mm (35 mm equivalen with the wide angle converter attached)?

Pat

The .5x is a single element adapter and therefore zooming in is limited to the range of the macro. I have been unable to get the vignetting to disappear with the HMC40 and the .5x. There is no vignetting with the .65x and the .5x does not vignette on the Canon HV30/40 for which we designed this adapter originally.

Ryan Avery
Schneider Optics

Thanks Ryan.

Pat

I have the HD-6600, it works fine, even with the 43mm UV filter on the camcorder plus the 72mm filter on the wide angle. However, if zoom in too much it definitely affect the picture quality.

Ryan,

Can you recommend a 0.5 adapter for the HMC-40 that does not vignette? It can be a larger lens thread than 43mm (to be used with a step up ring). I am not interested in full zoom thru but rather in a VERY LARGE angle - as large as possible - to capture scenery. A filter thread at the front of the lens is a must for me ( for the polarizer).

I have seen your recommendation for the 0.65 WA for the HMC 40 but to me it doesn't look wide enough. Note that I don't look for a fisheye.

Thank you.
Senad

Senad - looks like you should check out the aspherics here:

www.wittner-kinotechnik.de: Katalog (http://www.wittner-kinotechnik.de/katalog/08_aufna/b_optike.php)

This is the German page, but Google will translate it into any language you choose, in seconds. The UWL II (Ultra wide lens) is probably the one for you. It's a 0.52x aspheric, so will reduce your zoom down to about 60% (still very useful) while giving you zero barrel distortion. Did you hear that?

You'll need a hood for it to avoid flare, believe me. And if I were you I'd opt for the M55 or 58mm version - that way you'll ensure they don't vignette even if you use the lens on other (larger threaded) camcorders.

tom.

Tom, thanks for the link. It's new to me, I'll definitely check on it.

Cheers!
Senad

EDIT: Looked at it. Doesn't seem to have a filter thread...

"On the basis of the lens body of Schneider UWL II Assembled Ultra-wide angle lens. Shortened by approximately -9.5 diopters, the focal length by almost half. 7mm base with 4mm focal length so super-wide angle to be achieved!
Suitable for many S8 and 16mm lenses. The application is in the macro setting. Metal threaded ring with UWL II lens, custom made, with remanufakturiert Cinetec Wittner"

Ryan,

Can you recommend a 0.5 adapter for the HMC-40 that does not vignette? It can be a larger lens thread than 43mm (to be used with a step up ring). I am not interested in full zoom thru but rather in a VERY LARGE angle - as large as possible - to capture scenery. A filter thread at the front of the lens is a must for me ( for the polarizer).

I have seen your recommendation for the 0.65 WA for the HMC 40 but to me it doesn't look wide enough. Note that I don't look for a fisheye.

Thank you.
Senad

Senad,

We manufacture our .55x for the 58mm size that you can use with a 43-58 step ring. I tested this at a recent trade show event and it works great with the size not being out of line for the camera.

Check it out here:

.55X W/A REV ADAPTER 58MM - Schneider Optics (http://www.schneideroptics.com/ecommerce/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?CID=1070&IID=883)

Ryan Avery
Schneider Optics

Looked at it. Doesn't seem to have a filter thread...

For very good reason Senad. They don't want you fitting filters (two extra air-to-glass surfaces) when you're working at focal lengths in the 2.5 mm region. It's hard enough keeping both surfaces of the aspheric absolutely spotless; adding a filter doubles your problems.

The Schneider Optics Century .5x for 43mm does vignette on the HMC40. The .5x does not vignette on most other 37mm and 43mm cameras.

The .65x that we manufacture does not vignette on this camera and is full zoom-through so we recommend it for this camera.

As a matter of course, we offer front filter threads on our attachments because many users want to buy polarizers and ND filters for these to enhance the professional look of the images. Diffusion filters will not work well on these cameras with adapters because of the short focal lengths but regular polarizers and ND filter effects work well.

Flare is a possible issue when using any wide angle adapter but has not been strongly reported by users to us or during my experiences using the adapters for sample images.

Check out our .65x here:

.65X WIDE ANGLE CONVERTER 43MM - Schneider Optics (http://www.schneideroptics.com/ecommerce/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?CID=1506&IID=6713)

Ryan Avery
Schneider Optics

As long as you remove the inner lens hood(what Panasonic calls it) the Century 0.5 will screw in further and you will not get any vignette

Wow, I just took mine off and you're right, it would probably move the adapter a good 2-3mm closer ot the lens. Good call.

Although when I finally pick mine up, I think I'll like the vignetting it creates, unless it's a fairly dramatic vignette.