Cheap Lens at DVinfo.net

Timothy Harrison · December 20th, 2005, 12:40 PM

I'm wanting to buy a telephoto and wide angle lenses for my gl2, but I don't have much of a budget to spend on them. I'm looking at the Opteka Hi-Def Video .45 and 2x for $80 (together). All I want to know is if these or equally cheap lenses are useless or do they hold some value even though limited? I'm aware that I could do a lot better if I was willing to spend $1500, but that's not an option at this time. I'm hoping that this purchase will give me a little more to work with for the time being. Thanks.

Tim

Matthew Fink · December 21st, 2005, 08:58 AM

With lenses you usually get what you pay for...Depending on what you need these lenses for, I would say pick them up since they are cheap and test them out in all situations you will use them in to see if they work to your liking. Most of them have a return policy so test it and if it doesnt suit your needs send them back.

One thing that happens alot on cheap wideangle lenses is they make the image look like its almost in a fisheye - they get pinched a little and sometimes you can see rounded corners, but again the lense you are looking at may not do this or it may and you may be satisfied with the effect.

If you know how to use your camera, you can make any lense work for you.

-Matt

Steve Sirinides · December 21st, 2005, 03:43 PM

FYI, I bought a cheap set of lenses to see what they would do, and they honestly do almost nothing. The zoom lens hardly enhances anything and the wide-angle shows black corners whenever you're zoomed all the way out.

Out of curiosity, can anybody comment on the Century Optics 1.33 Anamorphic lens? It's about $1200, but I've heard good things about it. Can anybody give me their thoughts? Would this be a good investment for a guy who makes short films for a hobby? Maybe I'd be better off waiting till I can buy a better camera, since that lens is almost half way there.

Alvin Carlson · December 21st, 2005, 10:58 PM

I did the same thing, bought a two lense set for under $100. Discovered it distorted very badly when zoomed through on the wide angle. Returned the set and bought a single wide angle for $200. Leave it on the camera all the time.

The only way the two lense set is any good is if you use them only at wide angle for the wide lense and only zoomed in on the other. In my opinion its not worth the money.

Timothy Harrison · December 22nd, 2005, 12:29 PM

Thanks guys. I guess I'll just hold off and wait for someone trying to sell a Canon WD-58H lens at a price that works for me.

Chris C. Corfield · January 7th, 2006, 09:06 AM

I bought a cheap Tokina .45x wide angle lens. You are right you get what you pay for. Black cut off corners when zoomed out all the way. So I bought a Canon WD-58H and it is a great improvement. No black edges when zoomed out all the way.

Boyd Ostroff · January 7th, 2006, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Sirinides

Out of curiosity, can anybody comment on the Century Optics 1.33 Anamorphic lens? It's about $1200

I don't think that makes any sense at all considering the price. There are plenty of camcorders today which shoot real 16:9 and some of them don't cost a lot more than that lens. And when you consider that you'd also be getting a brand new camera with a warranty it makes the case even stronger.

Graham Bernard · January 7th, 2006, 10:18 AM

Boyd, when are we gonna get an XM3HD with native 16:9? . . oh yes please!

C'mon Canon! Sort it!

Grazie

Boyd Ostroff · January 7th, 2006, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham Bernard

when are we gonna get an XM3HD with native 16:9?

Join the fun over at Area 51...

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=57681
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=55025

Graham Bernard · January 7th, 2006, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boyd Ostroff

Join the fun over at Area 51...

Boyd . . .I was gently asserting the further need for things 16:9, and yes HD at this price break, and not getting into prices for anamorphic. I'm staying with a reality that I feel needs to be fleshed out by Canon. I'm staying here . .and yes I will "dip" into 51 when needs be . .

Grazie

December 20th, 2005, 12:40 PM	#1
Timothy Harrison Tourist Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2	Cheap Lens I'm wanting to buy a telephoto and wide angle lenses for my gl2, but I don't have much of a budget to spend on them. I'm looking at the Opteka Hi-Def Video .45 and 2x for $80 (together). All I want to know is if these or equally cheap lenses are useless or do they hold some value even though limited? I'm aware that I could do a lot better if I was willing to spend $1500, but that's not an option at this time. I'm hoping that this purchase will give me a little more to work with for the time being. Thanks. Tim

December 21st, 2005, 08:58 AM	#2
Matthew Fink Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: CT Posts: 40	With lenses you usually get what you pay for...Depending on what you need these lenses for, I would say pick them up since they are cheap and test them out in all situations you will use them in to see if they work to your liking. Most of them have a return policy so test it and if it doesnt suit your needs send them back. One thing that happens alot on cheap wideangle lenses is they make the image look like its almost in a fisheye - they get pinched a little and sometimes you can see rounded corners, but again the lense you are looking at may not do this or it may and you may be satisfied with the effect. If you know how to use your camera, you can make any lense work for you. -Matt

December 21st, 2005, 03:43 PM	#3
Steve Sirinides Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 41	FYI, I bought a cheap set of lenses to see what they would do, and they honestly do almost nothing. The zoom lens hardly enhances anything and the wide-angle shows black corners whenever you're zoomed all the way out. Out of curiosity, can anybody comment on the Century Optics 1.33 Anamorphic lens? It's about $1200, but I've heard good things about it. Can anybody give me their thoughts? Would this be a good investment for a guy who makes short films for a hobby? Maybe I'd be better off waiting till I can buy a better camera, since that lens is almost half way there.

December 21st, 2005, 10:58 PM	#4
Alvin Carlson Tourist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1	I did the same thing, bought a two lense set for under $100. Discovered it distorted very badly when zoomed through on the wide angle. Returned the set and bought a single wide angle for $200. Leave it on the camera all the time. The only way the two lense set is any good is if you use them only at wide angle for the wide lense and only zoomed in on the other. In my opinion its not worth the money.

December 22nd, 2005, 12:29 PM	#5
Timothy Harrison Tourist Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2	Thanks guys. I guess I'll just hold off and wait for someone trying to sell a Canon WD-58H lens at a price that works for me.

January 7th, 2006, 09:06 AM	#6
Chris C. Corfield Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 44	I bought a cheap Tokina .45x wide angle lens. You are right you get what you pay for. Black cut off corners when zoomed out all the way. So I bought a Canon WD-58H and it is a great improvement. No black edges when zoomed out all the way.

January 7th, 2006, 10:18 AM	#8
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	Boyd, when are we gonna get an XM3HD with native 16:9? . . oh yes please! C'mon Canon! Sort it! Grazie