You don't say what camera you're going to use the Nikon lens on, or whether it's a zoom through or not. I'll take an educated guess and say yes, you'll have barrel distortion all right, simply because most camcorder zooms barrel distort right out of the box.

Even with the JVC WA lens, there is definitely distortion, hello bent walls!

Further to my original quote up there about the JVC wide angle adapter....having used it a lot now (lives on the camera), I'm actually pretty disappointed in it. My biggest problem is the amount of dust *inside* the unit - actually between the elements. Outside in bright sunlight is always a problem with the camera lens stopped down, allowing minute dust specs to seemingly pop into focus! Even using a lens hood and with the front element in shade, I can still pick out the odd dust speck. Check this yourself - mount the wide angle, go to manual focus, swing the focus ring so you're focussing literally onto the front element, and then literally *behind* the front element and watch all the spots - if anything like mine it's a blooming snow blizzard. Very disappointed in that. Definitely not on the front or rear elements, it's inside. For a sealed unit that doesn't breathe, that's poor workmanship. I will be looking for a replacement....

In case you're wondering, the lens hood is one I made using the hood from a Canon XH series camera, mated to a Cavision hood mount, adapted. Works great with the wide angle adapter, but hey, had to make it myself - what does that say about JVC?

Roger, how's that 16x9 WA adapter in terms of interior dust? If you hold up to a bright light source and look through either end, any specs inside? Much? None? Appreciate it, Cotty.

I'm not Roger, but I can answer that question: speckless.

Thanks.

I came across a mint Nikon WC-E68 so have nabbed that to try. If it performs better than the JVC, I will eekbay the JVC.

I had two Cavision wide-angle converters that had dust inside them, sent them both back. Bit it does go to show that when you're shooting at such short focal lengths there's the need to use good hoods, to keep the elements spotless, to use wide apertures and jettison any filters.

The Nikon WC-E68 is worse than the JVC adapter, and better than the JVC adapter.

Worse than because the CA at the end of the bottle is shocking. Better than because the size is nice, it's slightly wider than the JVC, and the build quality is excellent with no dust inside.

Sigh. Nikon on the left, JVC on the right.

I might send the JVC off to be disassembled and cleaned.


Many thanks.

Fitting the 16x9 WAL
 

I finally got around to trying the 16x9 WAL I bought for my HM100 as linked to at the start of the thread (from B&H).

But I couldn't get it on(!).

The threads never seemed to catch and I was worried about pushing it in. Any chance they have sent me the wrong thread size or does it just take a bit more bravery than I displayed?

It's a bit fiddly, but mine fits okay -- it seems to require more patience than pressure. If you're having to force it, then something isn't right. Might you have damaged the HM-100's 46mm threads with something else, such as a filter? Does the 16x9 fit onto a filter itself? And do other filters fit okay onto the cam? That would prove which part was the problem.

Agreed. Actually I'll keep the Nikon - it's tolerable when the camera is as wide as possible, and slightly wider (noticeably so) than the JVC. In fact used the Nikon today with the cam mounted on a car dash for interview with the driver (local news), worked a treat. I've had a quote of fifty quid to have the JVC adapter cleaned internally, which I would rather do than chance exchanging it for another with similar quality control problems - JVC go and kick some suppliers' butts! The JVC .7X is a good performer so hopefully when I get it back without the debris field on the rear of the front element - or the front of the rear element, which ever way round it is - I'll report back.

Meanwhile I will go back to salivating over a PMW-350 !!!

Cotty

In case anyone is wondering about Century accessories for the HM100:

Century 46mm HD Series - Schneider Optics

Ryan Avery
Schneider Optics

Century optics
 

I've been recommended this wide-angle adapter:

Century Optics .65X Wide Angle HD Converter with 43mm Full Zoom Adapter (OHD65CV43)

Has one tried this?

Confused
 

ooopppssss!!! I am confused! 46 or 43 mm threads?

this model OHD65CV43
or this model 0HD-65CV-46 ?

Thanks.

46mm thread

thanks Andy!

:-)

Re: .7x Wide-Angle Converter from 16x9 for HM100 - Anyone used?
 

Hi all, can anyone else verify that the Nikon WC-E68 wide angle converter is a good fit with the JVC GY HM100 without any adaptor rings?
I'm based in Germany and it seems they cost a fortune here so thinking of buying this one from the U.S: eBay: eBay: Neue und gebrauchte Elektronikartikel, Autos, Kleidung, Sammlerst?cke, Sportartikel und mehr ? alles zu g?nstigen Preisen
Is that the right one? I want to make sure it is truly going to fit and be effective because I probably can't return it if it isn't right.

Does anyone else have this same focus problem shown by Steve (above)?

Lastly, if you can suggest any other lenses that definitely fit and are good are cheap, then please let me know.

Thanks,
Kirsty

Re: .7x Wide-Angle Converter from 16x9 for HM100 - Anyone used?
 

Hi Kirsty

I have the Nikon WC-E68 and it works well. There is a slight amount of smearing near the outer edges of the frame, and it doesn't feature complete zoom through, but it is shorter, lighter and less expensive than the one JVC offers (which optically isn't much or any better).

I think I've posted on other threads here about it.

-Keith