Best sub-US$7000 HD lens? at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > High Definition Video Acquisition > General HD (720 / 1080) Acquisition
Register FAQ Today's Posts Buyer's Guides

General HD (720 / 1080) Acquisition
Topics about HD production.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old April 28th, 2008, 09:41 AM   #1
Major Player
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Posts: 621
Best sub-US$7000 HD lens?

I'm looking at upgrading (from a PD150) to a three 1/3" chip HDV camera. I'm curious about the optics on these, especially now that interchangeable lenses are becoming available on 1/3" cameras. How would you rate the following lenses/cameras, based solely on their optical characteristics? I'm particularly interested in the stock lenses that ship with these cameras, since that may well be the deciding factor for me. If you could only have one of these lenses, which would be your first, second or third choice?

- Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 1/3" 12x (HVR-Z7u stock lens);
- Canon 20x Zoom Lens with XL Mount (XL-H1 stock lens);
- Fujinon 16 x Optical Zoom (JVC HD100/200 series stock lens);
- Canon HD Video Lens 6x XL 3.4-20.4mm;
- Fujinon Th17x5BRM 5-85mm;
- Fujinon TH13x3.5BRMU 1/3" 13x High Definition Wide-Angle Lens.

And, just for fun, how would the lenses on the following fixed-lens cameras compare:
- Canon XHA1;
- Sony Z1;
- Panasonic HVX200;
- Sony V1.
__________________
http://www.prolefeedstudios.com/blog/
Documentary for the masses!
Brian Standing is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 10th, 2008, 11:01 PM   #2
Major Player
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: california North and South
Posts: 642
Hi, I moved from the Sony TRV-900/VX2100 to a JVC HD110. Only some growing pains. I've got the 16x stock lens and it's OK. That is to say, the format and lens is much better than the VX1000 and not even in the same ball game as the TRV-900 type of 3 chips. Does it compare to NFL MLB HD? Nope.... but if I keep the aperture f4.5 - f5.6 it's quite good. It mostly falls apart near the last 1/3rd of the telephoto range. I'll post two pics here a rodeo at full tele (85mm?) around f5.6. Looks pretty decent.. a little soft, then a softball game, shot about the best the stock lens can handle. around 30 or 40mm around f5.6. I set the detail (sharpness/edge enhancements) to Min or -9. So that man made objects don't shimmer (moire) at different zoom ranges. Last year I tested a 13x Fujinon at JVC's HD lunch in San Francisco... Wow. is all I can say. I've seen some footage from the 17x lens... and I'm not sure what aperature they used, but it wasn't wow. So with the 16 lens, electronic ND2 and at least 1 ND screw on filter, you can get some decent results...



http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/attachmen...7&d=1213073665

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/attachmen...8&d=1213074535
Alex Humphrey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 10th, 2008, 11:19 PM   #3
Major Player
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: california North and South
Posts: 642
oh, just tripped over this... somewhat related... it's stolen from part of dv magazine's online version of their print magazine. (www.dv.com) The image is showing a JVC HD100 with 16x lens strapped on top of a Sony HDV camcorder, both pointing out side.

http://www.dv.com/dv/magazine/2006/M...605hd10002.jpg

Below is the reference shot, with the blow up of the central portion of the pic comparing the two cameras...

http://www.dv.com/dv/magazine/2006/M...605hd10001.jpg
Alex Humphrey is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > High Definition Video Acquisition > General HD (720 / 1080) Acquisition


 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:37 PM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network