Wide Angle Lens Converter for GL / XM

[Adam Sayovitz]

Hi guys, I'm new to the boards here.


So, I have a GL 2, that I use occasionally. Quite often, I guess. So, is it worth getting the wide angle lense?


Does it distort the picture?


Is it good for a little under $200 from BandH Photo?

[Dany Nativel]

Mine never left my camera since I received it !

http://www.natzo.com/GL2-WD58H.jpg

Yes there is some distortion but the subject (fridge) was pretty close in that case.

It has never been a problem so far and you can zoom all the way through.

Dany

PS: If you do a quick search on this topic you'll find a lot of feedback from people wondering about this WA.

[Alexander McLeod]

I too keep the wide angle on most of the time. Works well for me.
Sandy

[Ken Tanaka]

Indeed, any truly wide-angle lens will present some distortion under certain circumstances. Subjects, such as faces, up-close can take on a cartoonish appearance. Vertical lines at the edges of the frame, when the lens is at its widest setting, may get some barrel distortion.

But the WD-58 is an excellent add-on lens and greatly expands the versatility of the GL2 (and GL1). It's a real bargain and should be in your tool box if you use the camera in a variety of situations.

The only downside is filters. Be aware that the WD-58 cannot accept any screw-on filters in front. If you want to use filters with it you'll have to get a rrod-mounted matte box and use square filters.

[Adam Sayovitz]

Another question, are there any other lens attachments available for the Gl 2? (And I mean other than filters)

[Ken Tanaka]

Do you mean accessory lenses such as those from Century Optics?

[Corey Sturmer]

Would it be possible to attach a screw-on filter to the GL2 lense, then screw the W/A adapter to the filter?

[Ryan Krga]

Very possible. My friend has UV and Polarizer filters topped off with the Canon WD-58 and has had no signs of vignetting.

[Ken Tanaka]

Possible, yes. But at some cost to imaging and focus. The WE-58 is designed to be at a very specific position in the sequence of optical elements that compose your lens assembly. Pushing it out by the depth of a filter or two will have some impact on the image.

Besides, why in the world would you put a UV filter between the 58 and the main lens?!

[Joris Beverloo]

that is why sometimes I have my UV filter betwen my main lens and the WD-58. It is just the ease of not to screw it off, then screw it on after I finished with the wide angel when I am somewhere shooting some event.
But you have a good point.. in the future I will try to remove the UV filter first :)

[Bob Benkosky]

Well, the UV bewtween the 2 lenses might be pointless but it's not entirely pointless if it's say a polarizer or colored filter. I've used a polarizer and didn't really notice a huge difference in quality.

The Wide angle though helps alot if you are looking to widen your shot choices.

[Alan McCormick]

"Besides, why in the world would you put a UV filter between the 58 and the main lens?!"

Ken,

I am new to this but I thought one of the reasons for the UV filter was to protect the Cam! Would that not be a good enough reason to have it between the lense and the WD58??

Or, have I misunderstood something, don't you need the filter if using the WD?

Thanks for your patience.

[Ken Tanaka]

Alan,
UV filters on video cameras are indeed most often used as do-nothing protectors for lenses.

Sandwiching a UV filter between the camera's main lens and a lens attachment such as the WD58 offers no protective value whatsoever.

[Alan Tran]

if you want filters with your wd-58 or century wide angle..you should look at the century optics sunshade

you'd also have to get square filters

[Alan McCormick]

Thanks Ken, that is what I needed to know.

Alan, a good link, thanks also.