I am considering buying one of the Red-Eye (http://www.vfgadgets.com/RedEye.htm) adapters for my hd100 so I can shoot wider, and was wondering if anyone has actually used one on their camera? I would like to hear some testimonials on this before I put out 500 bucks..does it have much barrel distortion or lack of sharpness at the edges? I dont really need zoom thru capabilities when using it..thanks in advance, John

I am considering buying one of the adapters for my hd100 so I can shoot wider, and was wondering if anyone has actually used one on their camera? I would like to hear some testimonials on this before I put out 500 bucks..does it have much barrel distortion or lack of sharpness at the edges? I dont really need zoom thru capabilities when using it..thanks in advance, John


Hi John,
I have one of the WA Converters on mine and never take it off. I dont see any distortion but am really not qualified to judge. More experienced people here can surely help but the converter has been marvellous to me. It also cost a lot more than $900 here in Australia.

Hi Dennis

I thought these adaptors weren't zoom-through and could only be used at the wide end of the lens, or have I missed something?

Hi Dennis

I thought these adaptors weren't zoom-through and could only be used at the wide end of the lens, or have I missed something?
Hi Graham,
Like I say, I never take mine off. The dealer said that I never need to. He said I would only notice the difference when zoomed in all the way. To me, the converter is the best ever.

If possible, make sure that you get the latest FX HDV version Red Eye rather than the older SD version.

Hi Dennis

I thought these adaptors weren't zoom-through and could only be used at the wide end of the lens, or have I missed something?

That's true if used on a 2/3 broadcast camera. If used with smaller DV and HDV chips, the adapter allows at least partial zoom depending on each camera's capabilities.

See the website referenced above. It answers lots of questions and there are tv news guys that swear by them.

-gb-

If possible, make sure that you get the latest FX HDV version Red Eye rather than the older SD version.

Hi Tony, from going to their website it seems at this point they only make the fx series in 72 and 62mm sizes? bummer.

Is there a FAQ on the different wide angle solutions?

What does zoom through mean anyway. That you can literally zoom in or out all the way? Who zooms anyway?

Is there a FAQ on the different wide angle solutions?

What does zoom through mean anyway. That you can literally zoom in or out all the way? Who zooms anyway?

Uh, I sure hope you're joking. I zoom all the time. That's what you do when you're further away.

A wide angle converter is zoom-through. A wide angle adapter is not. These are both available for just about every video lens ever made. Adapters generally have better uniformity characteristics, but limit your focal length to one position. No such thing as a free lunch. And in this business, no such thing as a cheap one, either. :)

That's true if used on a 2/3 broadcast camera. If used with smaller DV and HDV chips, the adapter allows at least partial zoom depending on each camera's capabilities.


Thanks Greg - I use a 2/3 camera so if I want a zoom through W/A adaptor its about GBP 2k from Canon!

The Red Eye adapter seems to be a special item, using the macro to focus and needing backfocus adjustments, etc.

JVC makes a more traditional .8x converter (yes, zoom through) that gives a 20%wider field.

Century makes a .8x converter (zoom through), and a .7x/.5x adapter set (not zoom through) that have been very popular over the years. More information and links on these is in this thread:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=72983&highlight=wideangle+adapter

I have one of these. I think it's a piece of garbage.

If you don't mind edge distortion or severe CA then go for it. Otherwise, give it a miss.

Even a client of mine noticed the CA!

Uh, I sure hope you're joking. I zoom all the time. That's what you do when you're further away.

Once in a great while I'll zoom OUT. Never IN. I don't like zooming.

I have one of these. I think it's a piece of garbage.

If you don't mind edge distortion or severe CA then go for it. Otherwise, give it a miss.

Even a client of mine noticed the CA!

Maybe you used the old (and now discontinued) Aspheric .5X SD version Red Eye?(that does have plenty of CA).

If all 'garbage' produced such stunning DV footage as my .7X FX HDV version Red Eye does, then I'd probably spend more time rooting in the dustbin...

Maybe you used the old (and now discontinued) Aspheric .5X SD version Red Eye?(that does have plenty of CA).

If all 'garbage' produced such stunning DV footage as my .7X FX HDV version Red Eye does, then I'd probably spend more time rooting in the dustbin...

Nope, it's the HDV version. But don't go rooting in the bin, it's just my opinion. The original post was asking for opinions. I gave mine, I think it's a piece of garbage. It will never find its way on to my camera again. But what do I know? I've only been making movies for 22 years.

Nope, it's the HDV version. But don't go rooting in the bin, it's just my opinion. The original post was asking for opinions. I gave mine, I think it's a piece of garbage. It will never find its way on to my camera again. But what do I know? I've only been making movies for 22 years.

Do I detect a note of sarcasm? Heheheh. Just curious, since you don't use the redeye, which one DO you use and like?

Do I detect a note of sarcasm? Heheheh. Just curious, since you don't use the redeye, which one DO you use and like?

Guilty as charged. No offense intended.

Seriously, I've used three methods to get decent wide angles since I bought this camera 15 months ago: Firstly, I rent the TH13x3.5BRMU. Secondly, I shoot on a different camera (preferably one that takes primes). Lastly, and this is the one I usually do, I move a long way back.

I've never been a big fan of lens attachments; they can get you out of jam - I just don't like the pay-off in terms of optics. However, I'm considering getting an M2, as I've got a lot of old Nikon glass around the house.

Cheers,

Liam.

...But what do I know? I've only been making movies for 22 years.

That's why I'm still rooting through your garbage to see if you've thrown any other good chunks of glass out over the past few decades...(only kidding Liam, and I of course respect your opinion and choice of optics - so please don't bite too hard...).

I actually think that all the DV zoom lenses that I've so far tried are garbage compared to my large bag of Nikkors...but beggers can't be choosers in the DV world (unless you've got a bulging wallet).

I rent the TH13x3.5BRMU.
Can you tell me where you hire this from, as I've searched far and wide for a rental house in the UK?

Can you tell me where you hire this from, as I've searched far and wide for a rental house in the UK?
Try either VMI or Prokit. You'll have to ask as it's not on their websites.
You might also ring Proactive or Production Gear.
I don't know why this is such an elusive product - the first time I hired it no one seemed to know it even existed.

Can you tell me where you hire this from, as I've searched far and wide for a rental house in the UK?

For purchase:

http://www.pricescan.com/item.asp?category=misc&itemno=837722

Some DVi chat:

http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=62388

Rentals:

http://www.abelcine.com/store/product.php?productid=11031

Lease ($444 a month over 12-mths):

http://www.vistek.ca/details/details.aspx?WebCode=221907&CategoryID=ProVideoLensControl

As you've mentioned, the wide lens seems to be a difficult item to find in UK, Canada etc, so I don't think many are for rent. Maybe Calumet UK are the best bet, although even they don't seem to have that lens in stock.
Proactive in UK have them in stock, so maybe its worth asking if they also have rental for this lens:
http://www.proav.co.uk/index.php?cPath=265_346_347