Thanks to all who responded to my "having buyer's remorse" thread. It was very helpful and has kept me encouraged while going through the learning curve of focusing and everything else about this camera.

The camera is awesome. I can learn to live without autofocus and am starting to even prefer manual focus as some predicted .... so some progress has been made.

HOWEVER, even with (only marginally wider) .8x JVC wide-angle adapter

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=401431&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

I'm finding that it's not enough. I don't need width (it's plenty wide enough), I need height from a fairly close distance. And I'll have to be too far away from my subjects (dance instructors at a live event, where I'm in the middle of the action) in order to get their entire bodies in the shot.

Any advice out there besides the $9K Fujinon wide-angle?? I just don't have that sort of money to spend. I've read here that the cavision adapter isn't very good.

Very frustrating as I *LOVE* this camera so far... But I'll be sending it back if I can't resolve this issue in the next day or so.

And I'll have to be too far away from my subjects (dance instructors at a live event, where I'm in the middle of the action) in order to get their entire bodies in the shot.


Have you ever successfully shot this? That sounds very wide to me. The big problem you might have even if you get a lens that wide is generally people look weird/distorted when photographed up close with a very wide angle lens.

Yes, I'm currently using a SONY HC1 (which I definitely want to replace) with a .8x wide-angle adapter. Given the distances I usually shoot, I am able to get an entire person in the shot with about 8" to spare above/below (4" above, 4" below). With the JVC + .8x adapter, I can get the entire person but their head + feet nearly touch the edges of the viewing area (maybe 1" above and 1" below is clear).

The above distances are fairly common in my work. However if the room is especially small then I've had to resort to a .5x wide-angle. Definitely some distortion but not terrible. But I don't have another option for the JVC besides the (not great) .8x adapter.

Yes, I can move back but when I do that the students start to move in front of me. So I need to be able to be in front of the students.

Yes, I can move back but when I do that the students start to move in front of me. So I need to be able to be in front of the students.

Assuming you really need HD, the HVX has a wider lens but I'd be worried about the noise if you are shooting in lower light. If your shoot locations are lit up well - like you're shooting at f5.6 on the JVC - then you'll probably be Ok with an HVX. Its lens is a little softer at full wide angle though.

I'm guessing I missed a thread where you already discussed a lot of options.

I can't see dealing with P2 cards on the HVX right now... until they're a lot cheaper. I guess my second choice camera would be a Canon XL H1, but of course we're talking a lot more money there. BUt there seem to be many options in terms of lenses for the Canon.

BUt there seem to be many options in terms of lenses for the Canon.

They've got a wider lens that's not very expensive? Hmmm... I didn't know that. The Canon is a very cool camera, I've shot it. It's supposed to be better in low light and that might help you. The stock lens wasn't very easy for me to use, but if you're going to swap it out then maybe the new one would be better.

They've got a wider lens that's not very expensive? Hmmm... I didn't know that. The Canon is a very cool camera, I've shot it. It's supposed to be better in low light and that might help you. The stock lens wasn't very easy for me to use, but if you're going to swap it out then maybe the new one would be better.

There's a new Century lens coming out this week or next for the H1 that's wider. Currently there's a Century .8x that's around $600 I think. Definitely less than $9K.

So what is issue with the HC1 ? How is it not meeting your needs ?

I've been wanting to move up to a better camera for several months, one with many more manual settings. Two days with the JVC convinces me that I'm ready for it. With the HC1 I continually have problems with blown highlights, low light issues, color issues (the reds are terrible), little control over the iris, etc.. I'm ready to grow into a better camera.

I'm attracted to what I read about and see with the JVC and somewhat tired of interlacing issues. I take stills from the videos all the time. I'm less interested in the Sony Z1 and more interested in the JVC or Canon (although interlaced).

I use the FX1. Highlights are easily controlled on manual with iris adjustments. Not sure what you mean about interlacing issues, but that sounds more like an edit/render issue/solution.

Sorry this one didn't work out for you.

Actually I love the HC1 for vacations, etc.. Just want something more for the paying jobs.

As far as interlacing on the Sony, I mainly meant that I find it hard to capture stills of movement which are clean.

Could you not shoot from an above area to reduce your head to foot "headroom?"

If you can afford it, it would seem that the Canon XLH1 is well suited to your needs. If you want a progressive image for pulling stills, the F modes are quite good. The camera is great in low light and very detailed. It is also amazingly easy to use in auto mode. Furthermore, it's GREAT for stable handheld work as you have a shoulder mounted form factor and incredible OIS built in to the lens.

You might like having the options of both hyper-real 1080i and a good 24P look with the 24F mode. The 3x SD wide angle lens is surprisingly decent in HD, same with the 16x manual lens. Additionally, an official HD wide angle lens will be available in the fall too.

Bottom line: It's pretty easy to use at a basic level, but you will have options and you can grow with it too.

for a budget of $800... what is a good option for WA in HD100?

Ram, the only option that I see you have (worth buying anyway) is the WCV-82SC (Fujinon) wide angle adapter. $500. We have one and although it's not a huge difference over the standard lens it does help a little, and it's a good piece of glass that you can zoom through.

I can't see dealing with P2 cards on the HVX right now... until they're a lot cheaper. I guess my second choice camera would be a Canon XL H1, but of course we're talking a lot more money there. BUt there seem to be many options in terms of lenses for the Canon.

Once the HD200/250 get released, there are several more lenses that are coming out with them.

That's good to hear, Steve.... now I need to decide if I can wait that long. Thanks for the information.

have u investigated the century optics options?

Just a side issue, but moving subjects like dancers can really throw auto focus systems. I was filming a dance festival today with a Z1 and the focus took for ages to settle and could be way out.

Of course, since I was filming tight shots that were almost abstract in nature at times, this may not be a problem for you. However, even on wider shots the system was being thrown (sometimes 100M and infinity were being given as the focus distances) . BTW They were dancing against a black back drop.

Patricia,
I was at Cinegear in Los Angeles today and spoke to the Century Precision Optics people. I believe Century may have a solution for you.

Century has several accessories that work on the HD100.

First, they have a .8 wideangle converter, similar to the one from JVC. The only difference is that the century one is probably clearer in the corners than the JVC one.

However, Century also has two wide angle adapters. These are not zoom through (like the converter is) but may be perfect for you. They go on the lens when it is set at its widest. With these you can probably set focus at infinity and get excellent focus in the distance range you will be dealing with. In any case, through some experimentation, it would be possible to find the right aperture, focus setting and distance range for what you need (and you can return the .8 converter if it is not useful):

The are two WA adapters:
.7X Wide Angle Adapter sold alone ($449.95):
Part Number: WA-7X93
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=77515&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

.7X .5X Wide Angle Adapter Set ($949.95)
Part Number WA-7X5X
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=77514&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

The .7X has very little distortion -- the .5X has more -- though from what you said about what you have used, you would know how they look.

Both of the Adapters require a step up ring for the HD100 ($77.50)
Part Number FA-7X85
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=77520&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

(All of the Part Numbers above have a "-00" on the end, but B&H drops this.)

They said (all 3 of the Century reps) that these adapters have been perhaps their best seller the past few years. They work on many different cameras.

Century also makes a super-fisheye adapter, a tele-converter (1.6X), a tele-extender (.2X), and acromatic diopters that work on the JVC HD100.

The above links are to B&H. The Century website is
www.schneideroptics.com

However, when I looked up the camera on the site, the particular lens for the HD100 doesn't show up. However, I am looking at a sheet, Spring 2006, right now that shows the accessories listed by camera (JVC GY-100U. the Canon LX-H1, and the Panasonic AG-HVX200.

The phone number for Century Schneider is:
West Coast 818-766-3715
East Coast 631-761-5000

The Century adapters are very good and might be exactly what you need to get the HD100 to work in the situation you need, both close to the dancers while getting a full figure and in helping maintain focus when they move in and out within a reasonable range.

[Dupe Deleted]

Interesting post, Brian. I have not seen what you did in my work so far, but perhaps the circumstances are different (I don't think I'm as close to the dancers as you were). But I'll watch for it.

Thanks for the information, Jack. I'm stopping by B&H today and will check out these options..

I'm still not 100% sure which lenses will work with this cam, but I have been shopping around on ebay. You would be surprised how many shorter Fuji lenses are for sale, for only a couple hundred. I'm just saying it might be worth while to look into. Me? I'm looking for longer lenses.

Can't you just crank your tripod a little higher, to loose the tops of heads who wander in front of the lens. Then you could move a little further back to get the head to toe shot you want, with the extra headroom needed.

Patricia,
I was at Cinegear in Los Angeles today and spoke to the Century Precision Optics people. I believe Century may have a solution for you.

Century has several accessories that work on the HD100.


great summary Jack!! thanks!

I'm still not 100% sure which lenses will work with this cam, but I have been shopping around on ebay. You would be surprised how many shorter Fuji lenses are for sale, for only a couple hundred. I'm just saying it might be worth while to look into. Me? I'm looking for longer lenses.

1/3" lenses for couple of hundred? any links Keith?

Just do a search on ebay. For instance, I saw a Fuji TV lens going for $120 or so. But, I'm still new to the lens game, and it might not have worked. Since I spent all my money, I don't dare go back yet.

Interesting post, Brian. I have not seen what you did in my work so far, but perhaps the circumstances are different (I don't think I'm as close to the dancers as you were). But I'll watch for it.

Thanks for the information, Jack. I'm stopping by B&H today and will check out these options..


Patricia

Check out http://www.red-eye.tv/ for wide angle adapters for the HD100

Regards


Drew

Y'know the canon xl2 has a 3.4mm 3x wide lens which is about the widest 1/3" lens available for under $8999. I know a guy (me) that might be willing to work out some kind of trade.

Check out http://www.red-eye.tv for wide angle adapters for the HD100


thanks for the link Drew -

I wonder if this is comparable (qualitywise) to Century Optics one...

anyone used this?

I bought one a few months ago. I have a number of issues with it.

1: Because (I think) it is such a finely ground piece of glass, it is extremely hard to avoid every bit of dust on the lens from showing up. This can be dust on either side of the glass; if it's on the outside, obviously, you just blow it away. If it's on the inside, you have to unscrew the lens, blow it off, and refit - by which time the chances are there's more dust got on the glass.

If you're working in a a clean environment this is manageable. If you're working news, and taking the adaptor on and off, carrying it in a camera vest pocket, y'know, all that stuff, it's impossible to keep clean.

2: It requires extremely precise handling of the macro ring to bring to perfect focus. the slightest mis-alignment and the picture goes soft. 'Cos JVC in their wisdom (for good budget reasons, no doubt) didn't put a CRT viewfinder on the HD111 series cameras, there've been too many times when I've got a decent focus in the v/f, come back to the hotel to edit and found the pix are soft. I don't use the adaptor any more.

In conclusion: probably OK for controlled, clean environments - maybe architectural films or the like. Not practical for news and current affairs work. I'll stick to my old Optex (UK badged Century Optics) x0.7/x0.5 wide angle adaptor combo until i can get my hands on a Fujinon TH13x3.5BRMU.

I own XL2 with 0,6 Century WA adapt. I'd like to buy new Century 0,8 (zoom thru) and need some information/reviews about it.

Century optics WA adapter 0,8 0VS-08CV-72
http://www.schneideroptics.com/ecommerce/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?CID=1075&IID=2974