I finally received shipment of my AB mounts, Swit batteries/charger, and the Fujinon WCV-82SC Wide Converter. It has a factor of 0.82, so the wide end on the stock lens becomes equivalent to 4.5mm.
The nice thing about it is that the lens hood still fits perfectly, and the outer dimensions are still 83.5mm so my Cavision matte box will still fit fine. It also seems to be completely zoom through capable. I made no focus adjustments when changing focal lengths.

Here are some comparison shots with the stock lens at various focal lengths. (5.5mm, 20mm, 40mm, 88mm)

Here's a zip of the jpeg frame grabs:
http://homepage.mac.com/timdashwood/.Public/FOVcomparisons.zip


Tim

Much appreciated, Tim! Many thanks,

Now that you've had a few days with it, is the wide converter worth the price? Any recommendations?

I'd say it makes quite a difference. The images are not degraded either.

I must confess I'm impressed. Quite a difference and full zoom capability. I can't find the 5.5mm shots on that zip. What are the DS_STORE_files?

Tim, does it have any influence on CAs?

I must confess I'm impressed. Quite a difference and full zoom capability. I can't find the 5.5mm shots on that zip. What are the DS_STORE_files?
The 5.5 of the lens without the wide eye is labeled "FOV_5*5mm_Stock16x.jpg."
Anytime you see "Stock16x" instead of "WCV82SC2" in the filename it is "without" the wide eye.

.DS_STORE is a hidden file in MacOSX/UNIX for "directory structure" that shows up sometimes in a zip file. You can trash it - it contains no data you need.

Now that you've had a few days with it, is the wide converter worth the price? Any recommendations?

I will answer that in a few days. I still need more time to fully assess it.

However, I would say that it is worth the price for a intermediate solution to buying the 13x3.5 lens. I still intend to pick up the expensive lens when it is available and I have the budget for it.

The cheapest place I've found is expandore for the 13x lens.

http://www.expandore.com/product/JVC/HDV/GYHD1000.htm

They list it at $8040

BTW: I didn't see the 5.5 either. Maybe I can't see it because you can't use an asterisk in a Windows file name?

The cheapest place I've found is expandore for the 13x lens.

They list it at $8040



It's not actually available yet is it? When is that supposed to actually happen?

The cheapest place I've found is expandore for the 13x lens.

http://www.expandore.com/product/JVC/HDV/GYHD1000.htm

They list it at $8040

BTW: I didn't see the 5.5 either. Maybe I can't see it because you can't use an asterisk in a Windows file name?

Really? I made it an asterisk because I figured a "." would screw up the windows guys. I've been a mac guy for over 10 years, so I take alot for granted. I've made it "-" and re-uploaded.

The new zip file:
http://homepage.mac.com/timdashwood/.Public/FOVcomparisons/FOVcomparisons.zip

And here are the individual jpegs:

Stock lens 5.5mm:
http://homepage.mac.com/timdashwood/.Public/FOVcomparisons/FOV_5-5mm_Stock16x.jpg

Stock lens with .82 Wide Eye at 5.5mm:
http://homepage.mac.com/timdashwood/.Public/FOVcomparisons/FOV_5-5mm_WCV82SC2.jpg

Stock lens 20mm:
http://homepage.mac.com/timdashwood/.Public/FOVcomparisons/FOV_20mm_Stock16x.jpg

Stock lens with .82 Wide Eye at 20mm:
http://homepage.mac.com/timdashwood/.Public/FOVcomparisons/FOV_20mm_WCV82SC2.jpg

Stock lens 40mm:
http://homepage.mac.com/timdashwood/.Public/FOVcomparisons/FOV_40mm_Stock16x.jpg

Stock lens with .82 Wide Eye at 40mm:
http://homepage.mac.com/timdashwood/.Public/FOVcomparisons/FOV_40mm_WCV82SC2.jpg

Stock lens 88mm:
http://homepage.mac.com/timdashwood/.Public/FOVcomparisons/FOV_88mm_Stock16x.jpg

Stock lens with .82 Wide Eye at 88mm:
http://homepage.mac.com/timdashwood/.Public/FOVcomparisons/FOV_88mm_WCV82SC2.jpg

It's not actually available yet is it? When is that supposed to actually happen?

According to my dealer it isn't shipping yet. The ETA was originally October, so I'm not sure if things are just late here?

Tim, does it have any influence on CAs?

I don't see too much influence on CA one way or the other. The CA is a problem with the glass of the lens, so it definitely won't get any better with the wide eye on.

Tim,

I can't seem to find the converter in stock anywhere. Where'd you get yours?

Tim,

I can't seem to find the converter in stock anywhere. Where'd you get yours?

From my dealer. He got one in last week and I decided I might as well buy it since the 13x doesn't seem readily available.

Really? I made it an asterisk because I figured a "." would screw up the windows guys. I've been a mac guy for over 10 years, so I take alot for granted. I've made it "-" and re-uploaded.



Tim the asterisk is a wildcard in windows filenames - bit of a throwback to MS-DOS days, but still it makes for a powerful search function. Don't use question marks either because they are a wildcard for a single letter.

Tim, does it have any influence on CAs?

I have the adapter as well, and I could still see CA in the normal areas. Not really a qualitative test, just straight observation.

If you're asking if it gets worse, it didn't seem objectionable in my shoot, but anytime you add extra glass to the optical path you risk making lens errors worse.

From my dealer. He got one in last week and I decided I might as well buy it since the 13x doesn't seem readily available.

Tim, who is your dealer? I'm from Windsor, ON Canada

Laszlo

Tim, who is your dealer? I'm from Windsor, ON Canada

Laszlo
Peter Bauce at Hamilton Video and Sound. http://www.hvs.on.ca

It would still be a 4 hour drive for you from Windsor to Hamilton to pick up gear, but worth it for the excellent customer service. Besides, I think they are the only JVC dealer in Ontario outside of Toronto.
Are there any dealers in Detroit? Would you be eligible for warranty if you bought a U.S. camera?

Peter Bauce at Hamilton Video and Sound. http://www.hvs.on.ca

It would still be a 4 hour drive for you from Windsor to Hamilton to pick up gear, but worth it for the excellent customer service. Besides, I think they are the only JVC dealer in Ontario outside of Toronto.
Are there any dealers in Detroit? Would you be eligible for warranty if you bought a U.S. camera?

Thanks Tim!

I just read your answer this morning.
Yes, I know Peter really well, I bought all my JVC KY-27 and the 822 series editing gears from him, but back that time the store was called: Photo-Video.
Look like that store is closed, or just changed the name?
If you see him, tell him Hello for me.
I bought the camera from my long time friend Paul Armato from Armato's He give an excellent service too.

BTW: how much is this lens?

Laszlo

Tim-
Have you had a chance yet to write up a review/evaluation of the Fujinon WCV-82SC Wide Converter that you got for your 16x lens? I'm interrested in what your opinion is. Century/Sneider is apparently working on one also, but having problems making it to their specs and it seems that it's still a ways off. Thanks.

Tom Valens

Tim-
Have you had a chance yet to write up a review/evaluation of the Fujinon WCV-82SC Wide Converter that you got for your 16x lens? I'm interrested in what your opinion is. Century/Sneider is apparently working on one also, but having problems making it to their specs and it seems that it's still a ways off. Thanks.

Tom Valens
No not yet. I'm shooting on Monday, and I'll have a chance to test it thoroughly then.

BTW, JVC also makes the WAT-85C 0.7x wide attachment (3.5mm on wide end), and the F-AT85C Fisheye Attachment (2.75mm on wide.) However, these are "clip on" attachments.