Got one the other day, glad I did before you ran out! Now I can use my HV20 and GL1 at the same time for some SD experiments I have in mind. =)

Whew! I just placed an order over the phone just a hour before Ryan posted that message. I just hope everything is ok. (I actually sent you an email, Ryan) I wanted to order last night, but the site registration didn't work for me.. (anyone else with the same problem? It would register, but then say wrong login every time. I have tried two times) I spoke with Nathan and he said there is a few more '16:9 58mm screw in lenses' coming in a few days.. those are the very last for $99.

I also ordered the LCD WIDE SCREEN CONVERTER & 4X4 SUNSHADE FILTER/HOLDER.

I was hesitating between a Canon XHA1 or two VX2100's. This deal definitely made me go for the Vx2100's, which i am going to buy tomorrow. :)

Yes Chris, I have had the same problem. I talked to Nathan too. I have not been able to log on all day today. At first I thought I forgot my password, but not so.

I'll try again tomorrow. Glad you got your lens.

This lens is absolutely phenomenal! I've been hesitant to purchase accessories for my slowly antiquated GL2, but this seems to have been well worth it.

I'm an amateur videographer and so I'm sure my questions have (expensive?) solutions. Regardless, here they are:

1. Is there any way to mount filters onto the lens? I usually use a 58mm threaded UV filter, but it must be removed in order to mount the 16:9 adapter. I also do not see threads on the front of the adapter.

2. Is there an inexpensive sunshade I could purchase for this?

I think the obvious "sunshade filter holder" will kill both birds, but the ones I've seen are way out of my price range. Please suggest any cheap solutions!

Same here. I would like to get a sunshade for the lens!!

UPS was at my door to offer the package to me today. Unfortunately i was just gone. I can't wait to start using this lens! It breaths new life into 'old' 4:3 sd camcorders... and holds off expensive hd for a while.

Prior to purchase i searched for a different sunshade other than listed on Schneideroptics as well, but i haven't found any which would fit. Thats why i bought it anyway....
http://www.schneideroptics.com/Ecomm...D=1460&IID=949

Yes, its $100.... but it can fit optional 4x4 filters, which i am hopefully going to collect as well.

Btw. Nathan mailed me that they have fixed the password problem. It is a problem with their code, not accepting passwords longer than 10chars. Get your password changed to something less than 10chars and things will be ok. :)

Chris:

Got mine for the VX2000 last week. Have done a bit of shooting with it, and then stretch it in Vegas. Pretty nice results. Its feels like I have a new SD 16:9 camera. Gonna have a little fun with it in the next couple of weeks.

Thanks for the link, Chris. That seems to be the "cheapest" solution I've seen.

Also, I'd like to add that only con to this lens is the inability to effectively zoom. I don't know how often I'll be filming a shot that requires zoom, but not having the option is the only downside I can see so far.

Same here, Chris. Thanks for the link. So that does fit the 16:9 lens for the GL2 ?? I couldn't even find it on the Century or reather schnider site.

Sunny, do you have any zoom at all??

according to bhp and videolinea it fits all ds-1609 lenses

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...terholder.html

http://www.videolinea.com/articolosc...ice=DS-FH44-00

"Ideal filtering solution for Mini DV camcorders like Canon’s GL2/GL1, Sony’s DCR-PD170/150, VX-2100/2000 VX1000, & similar size camcorders. Accepts two 4”x4” glass filters."

It seems to clamp on, so it shouldn't be a problem? I guess ask Schneider to be 100% sure.

This was in the description for the 16:9 vx2100/pd170 adapter when it was still listed on the Schneideroptics site:

"The Century 16:9 Widescreen Adapter allows for partial zooming — one-half to two-thirds of the range (from wide toward telephoto) depending on available light."

Chris B: sounds great!

I measured the O.D. of the lens and found this on E-bay cheap:
http://www2.propichosting.com/Images/450020233/5.jpg
http://www2.propichosting.com/Images/450020233/6.jpg

The brand name on the hood is "Tamron"
It's not perfect and it doesn't answer the filter issue. I had to cut it down to avoid vignetting....but it's better than nothing.

Bob T.

If your doing a ton of clips, you can use a script in Vegas to stretch them all at once....
Ed Troxel put one up at his site...it's near the end of this thread:

http://www.jetdv.com/vegas/forum/viewtopic.php?t=984

Bob T.

Hi Tom,

The zoom is very shallow. In fact, I'm not even sure how to quantify it. I can post a video of me zooming in/out with the lens if you like.

Your zoom is cut down quite a bit, a tradeoff for native 16:9. But it's not eliminated. I would say that you would want to zoom in only about halfway, otherwise you'll have a lot of "fun" trying to find your focus. If you're doing some sort of documentary or nature stuff, then the 16:9 adapter may not be for you unless you can refrain from zooming or are willing to go back and forth from the digital 16:9 mode when you need zooming and back to the adapter when you don't. Don't do both digital 16:9 and the adapter unless you're wanting to go for a 2.35:1 aspect ratio look.

Thanks Sunny and you too, Jack. My two lens are supposed to arrive tomorrow. Now I know what to expect.
I need a small amount of zoom for a stage performance long shot, but none for the dolly shots up close.

I got my package. Here is two quick pictures of the Sunshade. It looks very nice.

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/2033/img2088tc6.jpg
http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/7379/img2089cl0.jpg

Wow, that is one good looking sunshade. Thanks for pics, Chris.
I think you made a good choice. Funny, I never thought I'd pay the same price for a lens that I'd pay for the sunshade..... decisions, decisions........

Chris, thanks for sharing those pictures. When you get a chance, can you take a picture of the sunshade mounted to the lens/GL2? Thanks in advance!

With all due respect to Schneider Optics and similar companies, why are the sunshades (moreover, all related accessories) so expensive? Is the reason because such items are not mass produced? I mean, $100 for the sunshade/filter holder is by far the cheapest I've seen, but I'm still having an extremely difficult time trying to justify the cost.

I'm just an amateur videographer and I'm new to the world of buying accessories for my GL2. I'm just really surprised that should I decide to purchase the necessary accessories for my 16:9 adapter (ie sunshade, filters), the total cost will be a significant percentage of what I originally paid for the GL2.

Maybe I should pick up a less costly hobby!

Sunny,

I do not think this is a Hobby!!!

It is more like a disease!!!

I am convinced when you look at the entire kit, the camera is one of the cheaper expenses. A good tripod will cost as much a a camera. I hate to even start adding it up!!!

Cheap sunshade
 

Hello Sunny,

I'm a budget-minded consumer myself. I decide very carefully what I spend most of my money on, and what I bargain price shop for. Take a look at Cokin video filters, they have an adaptor ring (model P-499) that fits the 16:9 adaptor (although the screws that come with the ring are way to long, so I replaced them) With the adaptor ring I can attach my Cokin "P" series filter holder that I use with my digital SLR camera. The filter holder has it's own sunshade that only cost about $10.00. The adaptor was $30.00 and the filter holder is around $25.00. It may not look professional, but it gets the job done. Maybe after a few years I'll upgrade my setup, but I have my money set on other sights.

Sunny,

You made the point exactly in your comment. A $100 sunshade filter holder is the least expensive I've seen that does both. We manufacture mostly sunshade filter holders because most people want to be able to filter thier lens and it is less expensive than buying a matte box (unless you want to use a polarizer).

Ryan Avery
Schneider Optics

We just found one more 16:9 GL adapter during year end inventory that we are selling for $99.00. I would imagine that this will last a very limited time as well. Order through the website or give us a call if you want it.

Ryan Avery
Schneider Optics

Ryan, thanks for letting us know.

Sold !!

Your welcome!
And I want to thank Chris van der Zaan for posting that link to the $99 sun shade and filter holder.
Mine arrived yesterday and it's very nice....And it fits my wide angle lens also!

Now I just need to get some filters for it.

Bob T.

Which Wide Angle
 

Bob T.

Which wideangle do you have that fits with the 16:9 from Schneider? I just received mine, and now want a wide-angle to compliment.

Thanks,
S Korson

Steve....Sorry, I believe I wasn't clear....
I ordered the sunshade/filter holder for my 16:9 adapter here:
http://www.schneideroptics.com/Ecomm...D=1460&IID=949

And it also happens to fit my WD-58 Wide angle lens...
Which is very cool!


Bob

Couldn't do this in 20 words or less....:-(
 

WI've now had time to work with my new 16:9 lens. Maybe we can compare notes and see if the rest of you have experienced the same thing and made the same discoveries.

Here's what I discovered. Some great things and some I don't completely understand. So if you have some insite, please let me know.

I'm sure that most of you understand what a home DVD player does and doesn't do to an anamorphic picture.
So , here goes: I used the 16:9 lens on my GL2, (of course NOT using the 16:9 setting on the camera), I made a test video, and then I burned my DVD using Adobe Premiere Elements. BTW, through some trial and error burns I found it best to select the NTSC fullscreen mode in Adobe just prior to burning the test DVD, here's what I found.

First, I've got to mention that since I have a 16:9 TV, I set my DVD player to the 16:9 setting. This is the correct setting and it has been this way for years. As you know, if you have read this far, this properly displays the anamorphic DVDs using the full resolution that the TV can provide. So, all pictures have the proper aspect ratio and correct geometry.

The burned Test DVD mentioned in the previous paragraph, ( burned in the "fullscreen" mode using Adobe), will properly display on my 16:9 TV with my DVD player in the 16:9 setting. Proper geometry and no black bars. The picture aspect setting on my TV is labeled "wide" which is the 16:9 setting. Everything looks great.

Now here's the problem: Take the same DVD and show it on a standard 4:3 TV with the DVD player properly set on 4:3 Pan-and-Scan setting. The picture from my test DVD is distorted geometrically. The geometry in the picture is squeezed horizontally. In other words, people are tall and skinny. Yes, I know that's what the 16:9 lens does to the picture when it is taken with the GL2. However, as we all know, the player, set in the 4:3 setting should put black bars at the top and bottom of the picture when it corrects the anamorphic picture and gives us a picture with correct geometry...... but in this case, there are no black bars and no geometric correction.

This would not be an issue if everyone had a 16:9 widescreen display. However, I have a wedding coming up and the couple has a 16:9 TV, but both sets of parents have older 4:3 TVs. The couple wants the wedding done in widescreen so there will be no vertical black bars at the sides of their picture when the geometry of the picutre is correct................. see the problem??
Suggestions???


Afterthought......
I did reburn the test DVD using the NTSC widescreen setting with Adobe Premiere Elements and that still results in a squeezed the picture, (horizontally), on a 4:3 TV but it throws vertical black bars up on the sides of the picture of my 16:9 TV. They cannot be removed in any setting on the TV. Plus the geometry is incorrect on all TV aspect ratio settings.

Tom....I don't know Adobe Premier as I use Vegas Pro 8...

But in Vegas, the first thing I do after placing the clips in the time line is right click on each clip and change the clip's properties from 4:3 to 16:9......(I can do all the clips in a time line at once with a script)
After that...I treat the project as if it came from a 16:9 camera and render in 16:9....
Seems to work....but as I said, I'm using Vegas...

Bob T.

Is there a "letter box" or "LB" display option on the DVD player in question - for use with 4x3 TV sets? That may give the full width (at loss of some lines) for full screen anamorphic recordings.

Thanks Bob....... I'll check.


Yes Don, tried that too.....but no cigar.
Video was still vertically squeezed and no black bars at the top and bottom.

EDIT : NO,NO,NO, I mean horizontally squeezed In other words, people are very tall and skinny... sorry bout that............

EDIT:
OK, here's what I found.
Bob, right click reveals nothing about the aspect ratio choices in Adobe.
However, if i go into the "motion" menu of the clip(s), I can control the vertical and horizontal xy scaling. I can take the picture as it comes from my GL2 and widen it a bit and then compress the top and bottom to get the correct geometry in the picture. I know that will show black bars on the top and bottom of a 4:3 TV screen in the player in the 4:3 mode. I'll have to burn a DVD to be sure. I'm just afraid that it will simply throw up those same black bars on my 16:9 TV. Of course they should not be there. I'll let you know. Thanks for your replies.

Tom, I did alot of playing around a year ago with this. You have to capture your video in a 16:9 ratio, or go into Premere and Zoom your video 133% (that is the calculated zoom from 480 lines of resolution to 360 "cropped" wide screen). BUT with the new 16:9 adaptor, we do not have to zoom the original 4:3 ratio DV footage! So the new process is to change the Pixle Ratio from .9 to 1.2 (should be under File - Interpret Footage). Changing the pixle ratio will stretch the video footage into the correct widescreen format without decreasing the resolution. Then you have to burn a widescreen DVD using your new 16:9 DV footage.

Hope this helps :)

Thanks so much David.... now we are getting there.
regards, Tom B.

(I also posted this question over in the Elements section)

Well, I've got to tell everyone that it is working and doing what I hoped it would do. Thanks to Bob, Don and David. David, you were right, that was part of my problem.

It now does everything the way it should and when it should. Thanks so much for your help and suggestions. A forum member by the name of Dylan Pank from the UK helped me a lot with details too.

Thanks again, Tom B.

Sorry for the delay. I have been quite busy the past weeks Someone asked to post some pictures of the sunshade mounted on the lens and camera. I don't have a GL2, but i do have a VX2100. (Which i bought especially because of this lens offer) I must say it is an awesome lens. It does everything i hoped for. Zooming is still ok till 6x.. I am quite a zoom freak in occasions where it allows me to do so and i still can do every move i am used to. The sunshade looks bad ass. I got some 'oohhs' and 'ahhs' from friends. The standard VX2100 sunshade looks like some kiddy thing when this baby shows up. :)

Anyway, enough with the talk, here are the pictures:

http://users.bart.nl/users/mvdzaan/vx2100/IMG_2155.JPG
http://users.bart.nl/users/mvdzaan/vx2100/IMG_2156.JPG

I also bought the LCD magnifier (http://www.schneideroptics.com/Ecomm...D=1460&IID=950) which i really like. It unsqueezes the image to true 16:9 and on top of that it magnifies the LCD. It's really much better then without. I can see a lot more details. It didn't attach it when i shot the current photo's, but i will post one where it is attached later on.

Thanks Chris. I agree, that hood looks great!

I followed your link to take a look at the LCD magnifier but it would sure help if I could see how it looks on your camera. I'm looking forward to your picture.

Also, just in case someone is interested, here's a link over to the Premiere Elements section and my steps to using the 16:9 adapter with the GL2.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...=112482&page=2

Sorry for the slow reply again. I will post a picture this week. I have been so busy the past months.

Looks like i was woohooing a bit too early with this lens. I have shot some footage the past 2 months. All looked great on cam. But this week i wanted to edit the footage on computer and I discovered there is -serious- vignetting. It is not visible on the viewfinder or the LCD, but it is visible in the footage when you capture/view it on computer.

It is pretty bad. I have to zoom in to at least 2x to get rid of it. This lens is virtually unusable when i am filming documentary. Because i can never see if there is vignetting or not.

This wasn't mentioned in the description on SO website. :( It just mentioned something about the zoom through issue, but not vignetting. :(

I don't know what to do now. I wanted a 16:9 cam with good low light output. I bought the VX2100 when i saw that great deal, but now i got one which does vignetting.

I have looked if there is still a filter/step up ring left on the VX2100. Nope. I have also carefully adjusted the 16:9 lens, but the vignetting stays. Another solution might be to crop some of the image in post.

I think i could have better bought the FX1 or something to have real 16:9, but 2 steps down low light performance...

I wonder, does the bayonet mount version have vignetting as well?

Chris,

The problems you are having with your Century 16:9 adapter are not representative of anything we have here in the Office or anything we currently produce.

This means that your problem should be unique and needs to be fixed. It is possible that you recieved an older stock version (you bought it on an inventory reduction sale) in which we did have an issue with the lens vignetting in underscan or editing but not in the viewfinder at the time of acquisition.

We would like to test this lens here at our facility and see if we can duplicate the problem. At the minimum, please post some screen shots or something to give us an idea of what you are looking at. We would like to help you in any way we can.

Ryan Avery
Schneider Optics

Hi Ryan.

Thanks for your great reply. I have made some pictures, please look at them.
I just played around with it some more and it seems the vignetting stays visible until about 4x zoom. (!) Considering the zoom gets blurry at about 6 this is pretty bad.


Anything with less zoom shows vignetting.
This is what i shot first, before i watched the footage on computer:

http://users.bart.nl/users/mvdzaan/v...picture002.jpg

http://users.bart.nl/users/mvdzaan/v...ure002_cam.jpg

http://users.bart.nl/users/mvdzaan/v...picture004.jpg


I did some readjustments tonight, by looking at the image on pc, and i was able to make it look like this. It is night at this moment, so i don't know what it looks like at daylight. (as you see at the other pictures the barrel is clearly visible, while it is black now) :

http://users.bart.nl/users/mvdzaan/v...ture005_pc.jpg

http://users.bart.nl/users/mvdzaan/v...ure005_cam.jpg

This is the best i can get out of it.
I have bought two pieces of the 16:9 58mm mount lense and both show the same issue on Sony VX2100 cam. Maybe both are an older revision of the lense? (bad luck)

It would be great if we can fix this issue. I can send both adapters to the USA as soon as possible if needed.

Upon further review of your images this is what's going on:

1) Your piece is functioning as designed. It was designed to be used in conjunction with an editing program that has the capability to "unsqueeze" the image and transform it into 16:9 letter box. Once you do this, you will not see any vignette even in underscan WITHIN the editing program or on final display.

2) If you are pulling this off footage straight off the camera and into the computer WITHOUT going through an editing program, you will see the problems that you are demonstrating.

If this is indeed what you are doing where you are seeing this problem once in the editing program then there is likely something wrong with your lens.

Ryan Avery
Schneider Optics