Century wide angle converter

Ken Tanaka · December 14th, 2003, 10:55 PM

Michael,
For the benefit of others, what is it about this .7 adapter that does not enable it to fit on the 16x Manual Servo lens? The filter size and threading on the manual and servo lenses are the same size and, I believe, pitch.

Michel Brewer · December 15th, 2003, 12:55 AM

Ken:

The 72mm screw on part of the lens is the same, but the century is a bayonet mount (pro dv .7 wa is what I think were talking about the one I have). There is a slight difference on the way it can mount on from the standard lens. It seemed to almost work but theres just a slight difference with the twist on where it dosent quite catch.

I actually called Century when i first tried it and they verified the problem, they didnt offer a retrofit then. Now they do offer a choice when you order one, you can choose between one which will mount on the 16xII/I or the 16Xmanual. (both are the same price I think).

As I said I wasnt aware of the retrofit but this discussion came up about a month ago on the board and Dean Sensui (forgive me if I have it wrong/trying to give credit for some good information) pointed out he managed to get his retrofitted by Century for about $100. I plan on having mine reworked next month when Im in California.

Sorry I cant give you the technical reason, its simply a slight off on the groove twist on mounting for the bayonet between the two lenses.

Michel

Michael Wagener · December 15th, 2003, 05:31 AM

Thanks for your help guys

That's what I was afraid of. I assume after it gets modified by Century to fit the 16X manual lens it probably won't fit the 16xII anymore. Looks like I need to invest in another adaptor.

Jerome Terry · May 8th, 2004, 08:47 PM

Hello folks,

I'm looking to buy a wide angle adapter for my XL1-s. I wanted to get the .7 Century optics, but the price is alittle high. The .6 seems to have a wider angle and is less expensive. I'm wanting to shoot weddings, events, and maybe some music videos or documentories. Will the .6 be good for me or restrict me? If there are any users out there your comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Jerome

Chris Hurd · May 11th, 2004, 08:38 AM

The Century .7x is a full zoom-through converter which produces a 30% wider field of view. It works throughout the entire zoom range of the 16x lens, and therefore it's a bigger piece of glass. That's why it's more expensive.

The century .6x is a partial-zoom adapter which produces a 40% wider field of view. It works only at the wider end of the 16x lens. Since it's a smaller piece of glass, it's less expensive than the .7x.

If you need full zoom-through capability, then the .7x is the right one for you. If you prefer a slightly wider field of view, would rather spend less and don't mind the limited zoom capability, then the .6x is the one you want.

Jerome Terry · May 11th, 2004, 04:10 PM

Thanks for the info. :-)

Nathan Gifford · May 24th, 2004, 03:23 PM

Chris, what do you think is better the Century Optics or Canon's 3X?

Bruce A. Burns · May 30th, 2004, 10:17 AM

I just purchased a 7X Century wide angle lens attachment for my XL1. When I affix it to the bayonet system on the XL1 lens, it is very loose and actually fell off (softly) one time. This can't be normal.

Has anyone else had this problem? Am I missing a part? Also, the lens itself rotates, is this a focus movement?

Rob Lohman · May 30th, 2004, 10:28 AM

To what lens did you attach this? What is the diameter of the
filter? Did you attach it without the lens hood?

Jean-Philippe Archibald · May 30th, 2004, 10:32 AM

You know, Century Optics sell two differents models of .7 WA for the XL1: one with a mounting system for the XL IS standard lens (white) and another one for the manual lens. are you sure you bought the good one for your lens?

Dean Sensui · May 30th, 2004, 03:37 PM

The WA attachment features a locking ring as part of the bayonet mount. The lens itself will rotate after you mount it -- this rotation will lock the whole assembly onto your lens. It's not a focusing feature.

If the WA lens doesn't fit perfectly onto your lens, then, as Jean-Philippe mentioned, you have the wrong adapter. You can return it or -- if it's a used lens -- have Century convert it to fit. The conversion will cost about $100.

Dean Sensui
Base Two Productions

Dean Sensui · May 30th, 2004, 03:40 PM

Nathan...

Hope you don't mind my putting my $0.02 in here.

Using the 0.7x adapter has more flexibility than using the 3x Canon. It gives the same coverage but a deeper zoom range.

Personally, I have a 0.7x mounted on my 16x manual lens and seldom take it off. In fact, I wish there were a lens designed with this particular focal range.

Dean Sensui
Base Two Productions

Bruce A. Burns · May 31st, 2004, 01:30 AM

Thanks for the info. It is the IS lens 16X zoom with auto focus.
I'll take it to Century and have them figure it out.
It seems to work optically just fine but I have to tape it on.

BB.

Nathan Gifford · June 1st, 2004, 09:55 AM

Don't mind $0.02 worth at all. Just looking for advice.

I was shooting a video in cockit of a Piper Warrior and I was wondering what I could do to improve the width.

Dean Sensui · June 1st, 2004, 12:10 PM

Nathan...

Glad to give an opinion. If it's in a cockpit, the 3x might be a better choice as it's much more compact.

So now it's up to $0.04 :-)

I used to fly a Piper Warrior when I was an active pilot. Sure miss flying.

Dean Sensui
Base Two Productions

December 14th, 2003, 10:55 PM	#46
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Michael, For the benefit of others, what is it about this .7 adapter that does not enable it to fit on the 16x Manual Servo lens? The filter size and threading on the manual and servo lenses are the same size and, I believe, pitch. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

December 15th, 2003, 12:55 AM	#47
Michel Brewer Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Ventura California Posts: 179	what it is Ken: The 72mm screw on part of the lens is the same, but the century is a bayonet mount (pro dv .7 wa is what I think were talking about the one I have). There is a slight difference on the way it can mount on from the standard lens. It seemed to almost work but theres just a slight difference with the twist on where it dosent quite catch. I actually called Century when i first tried it and they verified the problem, they didnt offer a retrofit then. Now they do offer a choice when you order one, you can choose between one which will mount on the 16xII/I or the 16Xmanual. (both are the same price I think). As I said I wasnt aware of the retrofit but this discussion came up about a month ago on the board and Dean Sensui (forgive me if I have it wrong/trying to give credit for some good information) pointed out he managed to get his retrofitted by Century for about $100. I plan on having mine reworked next month when Im in California. Sorry I cant give you the technical reason, its simply a slight off on the groove twist on mounting for the bayonet between the two lenses. Michel __________________ milking the celebrity criminal trials thank god for the freaks

December 15th, 2003, 05:31 AM	#48
Michael Wagener New Boot Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 8	Thanks for your help guys That's what I was afraid of. I assume after it gets modified by Century to fit the 16X manual lens it probably won't fit the 16xII anymore. Looks like I need to invest in another adaptor. __________________ Michael Wagener Double Trouble Productions, Inc. http://www.michaelwagener.com

May 8th, 2004, 08:47 PM	#49
Jerome Terry Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Pasadena, CA. Posts: 53	Century optics Wide angle adapters Hello folks, I'm looking to buy a wide angle adapter for my XL1-s. I wanted to get the .7 Century optics, but the price is alittle high. The .6 seems to have a wider angle and is less expensive. I'm wanting to shoot weddings, events, and maybe some music videos or documentories. Will the .6 be good for me or restrict me? If there are any users out there your comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Jerome

May 11th, 2004, 08:38 AM	#50
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	The Century .7x is a full zoom-through converter which produces a 30% wider field of view. It works throughout the entire zoom range of the 16x lens, and therefore it's a bigger piece of glass. That's why it's more expensive. The century .6x is a partial-zoom adapter which produces a 40% wider field of view. It works only at the wider end of the 16x lens. Since it's a smaller piece of glass, it's less expensive than the .7x. If you need full zoom-through capability, then the .7x is the right one for you. If you prefer a slightly wider field of view, would rather spend less and don't mind the limited zoom capability, then the .6x is the one you want. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

May 11th, 2004, 04:10 PM	#51
Jerome Terry Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Pasadena, CA. Posts: 53	Thanks for the info. :-)

May 24th, 2004, 03:23 PM	#52
Nathan Gifford Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tickfaw, LA Posts: 1,217	Chris, what do you think is better the Century Optics or Canon's 3X? __________________ Nathan Gifford Southern Cyclist Magazine & Productions For quick answers try our Search! To see me and Rob Lohman click here

May 30th, 2004, 10:17 AM	#53
Bruce A. Burns Tourist Join Date: May 2004 Location: Sun Valley, California Posts: 3	7X Century doesn't fit on XL1 lens I just purchased a 7X Century wide angle lens attachment for my XL1. When I affix it to the bayonet system on the XL1 lens, it is very loose and actually fell off (softly) one time. This can't be normal. Has anyone else had this problem? Am I missing a part? Also, the lens itself rotates, is this a focus movement?

May 30th, 2004, 10:28 AM	#54
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	To what lens did you attach this? What is the diameter of the filter? Did you attach it without the lens hood? __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

May 30th, 2004, 10:32 AM	#55
Jean-Philippe Archibald Trustee Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Saguenay, Québec, Canada Posts: 1,051	You know, Century Optics sell two differents models of .7 WA for the XL1: one with a mounting system for the XL IS standard lens (white) and another one for the manual lens. are you sure you bought the good one for your lens? __________________ Jean-Philippe Archibald http://www.jparchibald.com - http://www.vimeo.com/jparchib

May 30th, 2004, 03:37 PM	#56
Dean Sensui Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 2,054	The WA attachment features a locking ring as part of the bayonet mount. The lens itself will rotate after you mount it -- this rotation will lock the whole assembly onto your lens. It's not a focusing feature. If the WA lens doesn't fit perfectly onto your lens, then, as Jean-Philippe mentioned, you have the wrong adapter. You can return it or -- if it's a used lens -- have Century convert it to fit. The conversion will cost about $100. Dean Sensui Base Two Productions

May 30th, 2004, 03:40 PM	#57
Dean Sensui Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 2,054	Nathan... Hope you don't mind my putting my $0.02 in here. Using the 0.7x adapter has more flexibility than using the 3x Canon. It gives the same coverage but a deeper zoom range. Personally, I have a 0.7x mounted on my 16x manual lens and seldom take it off. In fact, I wish there were a lens designed with this particular focal range. Dean Sensui Base Two Productions

May 31st, 2004, 01:30 AM	#58
Bruce A. Burns Tourist Join Date: May 2004 Location: Sun Valley, California Posts: 3	Century .7X Thanks for the info. It is the IS lens 16X zoom with auto focus. I'll take it to Century and have them figure it out. It seems to work optically just fine but I have to tape it on. BB.

June 1st, 2004, 09:55 AM	#59
Nathan Gifford Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tickfaw, LA Posts: 1,217	Don't mind $0.02 worth at all. Just looking for advice. I was shooting a video in cockit of a Piper Warrior and I was wondering what I could do to improve the width. __________________ Nathan Gifford Southern Cyclist Magazine & Productions For quick answers try our Search! To see me and Rob Lohman click here

June 1st, 2004, 12:10 PM	#60
Dean Sensui Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 2,054	Nathan... Glad to give an opinion. If it's in a cockpit, the 3x might be a better choice as it's much more compact. So now it's up to $0.04 :-) I used to fly a Piper Warrior when I was an active pilot. Sure miss flying. Dean Sensui Base Two Productions