The lens on my camera isn't wide enough at all, I need to buy a Wide Angle adapter that I will most likely leave on the camera at all times.

I've been looking at these two from Raynox:

http://raynox.co.jp/english/video/hd5000pro/index.htm

http://raynox.co.jp/english/video/hd3030pro/index.htm



Here's a Still from the .5x one

http://raynox.co.jp/actualimage/video/hd5000-wide3.5m-wall.jpg


This is from the .3x one

http://raynox.co.jp/actualimage/video/hd3030pro/e995-hd3030pro-wall.jpg



Like I said, I want to leave it on the camera most of the time, so I'm not sure that the .3x one would be right, since it's extra wide with tons of barrel distortion, and doesn't zoom all way.

On the other hand, the .5x one has full zoom capability, and looks quite wide, and also has front filter threads, which the .3x one does not have. It's also avalible at B&H for $140, and the .3x one is not at B&H...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bh3.sph/FrameWork.class?FNC=ProductActivator__Aproductlist_html___277925___RAHD5000P___REG___CatID=0___SID=F 519E2DE300

A good thing about both of them, is they show no vignette, which is a must..

So basically it looks like I am getting the .5x one, but I am just wondering if anyone else has any recommendations or comments?

PS -- My camera has 43mm threads...

What camera are you using?

The Panasonic DV52...has 43mm threads...

Are you shooting skateboarding?

Erm...to a extent, possibly.

I just like the effect of barrel distortion, and the wideness comes in handy in almost every situation, plus it has the capability to zoom through all the way...and the best thing of all, them lens's show no signs of vignette -- which I hate.

The lens on my camera isn't wide enough for anything...Not sure what this translates to in angle degrees or mm, but to frame something 1FT wide, my camera has to be 18-20 inches away...

Can someone possibly recommend a lens that is wide without as much barrel distortion? I'd probably have to get a step up or down ring for most lenses, since 43mm isn't anywhere near popular.

Sorry, no experience with 43mm lenses. You might be OK to step up to a larger lens, but pretty sure you will see vignetting if you step it down. The lens diameter makes a big difference in the price. I have a Sony .75x with 58mm threads for my VX-2000 that cost around $300. On my PDX-10 I got a .45x adaptor for 37mm threads from an unknown company for a bit over $100. Haven't performed any scientific tests, but it looks fine in the shots I've taken so far. Kind of an interesting lens; you can unscrew the front element and it becomes a macro. The box says "Digital Optics 0.45x professional auto focus infrared compatible wide angle lens. Super compact titanium series #7401T-37".

If at all possible go to the camera store and try for yourself. Vignetting may not show in your viewfinder but could be evident when you look at the full frame in an NLE. This may not matter if you're outputting to videotape, but for web video could be a problem.

Alex
Do you want a good lens or pronounced barrel distortion??
For a good quality lens canon has a 43mm for $140, another good bet would be the Tiffen. The kenko pro series is up over $120

For a cheap and dirty but usable lens go for a Raynox or Kenko for $50-$80. Adorams has a fair selection

These particular raynox's are good lenses, here's comparison pictures between that particular .5x lens and another cheaper .5x lens that Raynox offers.

The .5x Raynox for $140 I am considering:

http://raynox.co.jp/actualimage/video/hd5000-wide3.5m-wall.jpg

A much cheaper .5x Raynox.

http://raynox.co.jp/actualimage/video/dvr5000-wide3.5m-wall.jpg

As you can see, the one I am looking at is quite good, thats why they call it "high definition".

I would look at the canon and tiffen ones, but I can't find any good examples from them to see about vignetting....

And about barrel distortion, I don't really care about barrel distortion as much as I do about getting a wider angle of view, but barrel distortion comes with a wider lens, and I don't mind it - infact I like it, like I mentioned.

I would go to a camera store and check out some lenses, but theres no camera stores around here, at all...


Thanks Boyd, I think I could step down to about 37mm, but no smaller, because the threads around my camera are "puffed", meaning that the actual threads are much bigger then the lens itself, like most consumer cameras (especially JVC, :D). If I stepped it up too much though, the lens probably wouldn't be as wide, since it's made for bigger lenses...