red eye wide angle adapter for hd100 at DVinfo.net

John Abbey · February 18th, 2007, 05:21 PM

I am considering buying one of the Red-Eye adapters for my hd100 so I can shoot wider, and was wondering if anyone has actually used one on their camera? I would like to hear some testimonials on this before I put out 500 bucks..does it have much barrel distortion or lack of sharpness at the edges? I dont really need zoom thru capabilities when using it..thanks in advance, John

Dennis Robinson · February 18th, 2007, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Abbey

I am considering buying one of the adapters for my hd100 so I can shoot wider, and was wondering if anyone has actually used one on their camera? I would like to hear some testimonials on this before I put out 500 bucks..does it have much barrel distortion or lack of sharpness at the edges? I dont really need zoom thru capabilities when using it..thanks in advance, John

Hi John,
I have one of the WA Converters on mine and never take it off. I dont see any distortion but am really not qualified to judge. More experienced people here can surely help but the converter has been marvellous to me. It also cost a lot more than $900 here in Australia.

Graham Risdon · February 18th, 2007, 06:38 PM

Hi Dennis

I thought these adaptors weren't zoom-through and could only be used at the wide end of the lens, or have I missed something?

Dennis Robinson · February 18th, 2007, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham Risdon

Hi Dennis

I thought these adaptors weren't zoom-through and could only be used at the wide end of the lens, or have I missed something?

Hi Graham,
Like I say, I never take mine off. The dealer said that I never need to. He said I would only notice the difference when zoomed in all the way. To me, the converter is the best ever.

Tony Davies-Patrick · February 18th, 2007, 07:17 PM

If possible, make sure that you get the latest FX HDV version Red Eye rather than the older SD version.

Greg Boston · February 18th, 2007, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham Risdon

Hi Dennis

I thought these adaptors weren't zoom-through and could only be used at the wide end of the lens, or have I missed something?

That's true if used on a 2/3 broadcast camera. If used with smaller DV and HDV chips, the adapter allows at least partial zoom depending on each camera's capabilities.

See the website referenced above. It answers lots of questions and there are tv news guys that swear by them.

-gb-

John Abbey · February 18th, 2007, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Davies-Patrick

If possible, make sure that you get the latest FX HDV version Red Eye rather than the older SD version.

Hi Tony, from going to their website it seems at this point they only make the fx series in 72 and 62mm sizes? bummer.

Brian Luce · February 18th, 2007, 11:26 PM

Is there a FAQ on the different wide angle solutions?

What does zoom through mean anyway. That you can literally zoom in or out all the way? Who zooms anyway?

Kit Hannah · February 18th, 2007, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Luce

Is there a FAQ on the different wide angle solutions?

What does zoom through mean anyway. That you can literally zoom in or out all the way? Who zooms anyway?

Uh, I sure hope you're joking. I zoom all the time. That's what you do when you're further away.

Eric Darling · February 18th, 2007, 11:54 PM

A wide angle converter is zoom-through. A wide angle adapter is not. These are both available for just about every video lens ever made. Adapters generally have better uniformity characteristics, but limit your focal length to one position. No such thing as a free lunch. And in this business, no such thing as a cheap one, either. :)

Graham Risdon · February 19th, 2007, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg Boston

That's true if used on a 2/3 broadcast camera. If used with smaller DV and HDV chips, the adapter allows at least partial zoom depending on each camera's capabilities.

Thanks Greg - I use a 2/3 camera so if I want a zoom through W/A adaptor its about GBP 2k from Canon!

Jack Walker · February 19th, 2007, 03:07 AM

The Red Eye adapter seems to be a special item, using the macro to focus and needing backfocus adjustments, etc.

JVC makes a more traditional .8x converter (yes, zoom through) that gives a 20%wider field.

Century makes a .8x converter (zoom through), and a .7x/.5x adapter set (not zoom through) that have been very popular over the years. More information and links on these is in this thread:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...eangle+adapter

Liam Hall · February 19th, 2007, 04:26 AM

I have one of these. I think it's a piece of garbage.

If you don't mind edge distortion or severe CA then go for it. Otherwise, give it a miss.

Even a client of mine noticed the CA!

Brian Luce · February 19th, 2007, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kit Hannah

Uh, I sure hope you're joking. I zoom all the time. That's what you do when you're further away.

Once in a great while I'll zoom OUT. Never IN. I don't like zooming.

Tony Davies-Patrick · February 19th, 2007, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liam Hall

I have one of these. I think it's a piece of garbage.

If you don't mind edge distortion or severe CA then go for it. Otherwise, give it a miss.

Even a client of mine noticed the CA!

Maybe you used the old (and now discontinued) Aspheric .5X SD version Red Eye?(that does have plenty of CA).

If all 'garbage' produced such stunning DV footage as my .7X FX HDV version Red Eye does, then I'd probably spend more time rooting in the dustbin...

February 18th, 2007, 05:21 PM	#1
John Abbey Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: The Great Northwest Posts: 133	red eye wide angle adapter for hd100 I am considering buying one of the Red-Eye adapters for my hd100 so I can shoot wider, and was wondering if anyone has actually used one on their camera? I would like to hear some testimonials on this before I put out 500 bucks..does it have much barrel distortion or lack of sharpness at the edges? I dont really need zoom thru capabilities when using it..thanks in advance, John

February 18th, 2007, 07:17 PM	#5
Tony Davies-Patrick Trustee Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Worldwide Posts: 1,589	If possible, make sure that you get the latest FX HDV version Red Eye rather than the older SD version. __________________ www.WILDCARP.com www.NIKON.me.uk

February 18th, 2007, 06:38 PM	#3
Graham Risdon Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wiltshire, UK Posts: 192	Hi Dennis I thought these adaptors weren't zoom-through and could only be used at the wide end of the lens, or have I missed something?

February 18th, 2007, 11:26 PM	#8
Brian Luce Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,290	Is there a FAQ on the different wide angle solutions? What does zoom through mean anyway. That you can literally zoom in or out all the way? Who zooms anyway?

February 18th, 2007, 11:54 PM	#10
Eric Darling Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 463	A wide angle converter is zoom-through. A wide angle adapter is not. These are both available for just about every video lens ever made. Adapters generally have better uniformity characteristics, but limit your focal length to one position. No such thing as a free lunch. And in this business, no such thing as a cheap one, either. :)

February 19th, 2007, 03:07 AM	#12
Jack Walker Trustee Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burbank Posts: 1,811	The Red Eye adapter seems to be a special item, using the macro to focus and needing backfocus adjustments, etc. JVC makes a more traditional .8x converter (yes, zoom through) that gives a 20%wider field. Century makes a .8x converter (zoom through), and a .7x/.5x adapter set (not zoom through) that have been very popular over the years. More information and links on these is in this thread: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...eangle+adapter

February 19th, 2007, 04:26 AM	#13
Liam Hall Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: London, England Posts: 969	I have one of these. I think it's a piece of garbage. If you don't mind edge distortion or severe CA then go for it. Otherwise, give it a miss. Even a client of mine noticed the CA!