Century Precision Optics 1.6X Telephoto Converter Lens For Panasonic HVX200 at DVinfo.net

Dean Harrington · February 22nd, 2007, 09:04 PM

anyone using this for the HVX? Does it zoom through? What's your take on it?
I'm between Brevis or this at the moment. Need some extra focal length!

Boyd Ostroff · February 22nd, 2007, 09:32 PM

I have the Century 1.6x for the Z1, and no doubt it's the same lens with a different mount. I've been very happy with it, although it's HUGE and heavy. I don't think there is such a thing as a completely zoom through teleconvertor. Think about it... it would have to be massive in order to prevent vignetting at the wide end of the zoom. On my Z1 I can zoom just a tiny bit farther than 50% before some vignetting is visible.

Not sure how a 35mm adaptor would be a substitute for a teleconvertor, although I guess it would let you use 35mm telephoto lenses, but the results would be very different. I use the 1.6x when I shoot our opera performances from the back of the theatre, a little over 100 feet from the stage. Works very nicely for that.

Dean Harrington · February 23rd, 2007, 03:13 AM

A bit more than 50% zoom ....hmmmmm ... that's the same zoom range the DVX had with the Century tele-converter. I'll have to mull that over some more.

Mike McEntire · February 27th, 2007, 07:02 PM

I have the 1.6 for the HVX. It is sharp and provides great images. The vignetting starts around 56 or 57 on the zoom out. So if you keep that in mind it is really great. Good Luck

Robert Lane · February 27th, 2007, 07:08 PM

Dean,

I've tested both the 1.6x and the 2x converters from Schneider/Century. They both do a fairly good job for what they're supposed to do however there is a noticeable loss of sharpness (more in the 2x than 1.6x) some vingetting (VG) and chromatic aberrations (CA) in both lenses.

The loss of sharpness and the introduction of VG/CA isn't significant and won't kill an otherwise good shot, however you do have to be careful of backlit subjects or small points of light, that's where you'll notice the CA the most. Open-sky shots or anything with a monochromatic overtone will show the VG more.

Dean Harrington · March 2nd, 2007, 03:49 PM

Good insights there! I'm leaning toward the Brevis on this issue. I'll lose some light but I'll be able to get the ranges I need.

Chris Li · March 5th, 2007, 09:47 AM

Lens adaptors on HVX will also disable the ability to focus by scale. On-screen footage scale will be wildly incorrect. Focusing by eye is the only recourse. This feature slowed me down when using 1.6x Century for some fast focus changes. Also make sure your matte box will fit the larger Outside Diameter of the lens if using filters.

Henry Harrison · January 25th, 2008, 01:56 PM

I was curious about the MOD (minimum object distance) for this converter so I called Century (incessently) and they went to the trouble of measuring it for me. The result is 43inches at full zoom. I figured I would post it since I couldn't find the info anywhere else.

TingSern Wong · January 25th, 2008, 07:52 PM

I used the 2X from Century Optics. It is ... sure ... dammed heavy. You MUST require lens support. Otherwise, the optics is very good ... just make sure you don't zoom OUTwards - or you will get vignetting.

February 22nd, 2007, 09:04 PM	#1
Dean Harrington Major Player Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tokyo Posts: 898	Century Precision Optics 1.6X Telephoto Converter Lens For Panasonic HVX200 anyone using this for the HVX? Does it zoom through? What's your take on it? I'm between Brevis or this at the moment. Need some extra focal length!

February 23rd, 2007, 03:13 AM	#3
Dean Harrington Major Player Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tokyo Posts: 898	Thanks Boyd ... A bit more than 50% zoom ....hmmmmm ... that's the same zoom range the DVX had with the Century tele-converter. I'll have to mull that over some more.

March 2nd, 2007, 03:49 PM	#6
Dean Harrington Major Player Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tokyo Posts: 898	Thanks Robert ... Good insights there! I'm leaning toward the Brevis on this issue. I'll lose some light but I'll be able to get the ranges I need.

March 5th, 2007, 09:47 AM	#7
Chris Li Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: Wash. DC area Posts: 154	Footage scale unusable Lens adaptors on HVX will also disable the ability to focus by scale. On-screen footage scale will be wildly incorrect. Focusing by eye is the only recourse. This feature slowed me down when using 1.6x Century for some fast focus changes. Also make sure your matte box will fit the larger Outside Diameter of the lens if using filters.

February 22nd, 2007, 09:32 PM	#2
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,800	I have the Century 1.6x for the Z1, and no doubt it's the same lens with a different mount. I've been very happy with it, although it's HUGE and heavy. I don't think there is such a thing as a completely zoom through teleconvertor. Think about it... it would have to be massive in order to prevent vignetting at the wide end of the zoom. On my Z1 I can zoom just a tiny bit farther than 50% before some vignetting is visible. Not sure how a 35mm adaptor would be a substitute for a teleconvertor, although I guess it would let you use 35mm telephoto lenses, but the results would be very different. I use the 1.6x when I shoot our opera performances from the back of the theatre, a little over 100 feet from the stage. Works very nicely for that.

February 27th, 2007, 07:02 PM	#4
Mike McEntire New Boot Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 22	I have the 1.6 for the HVX. It is sharp and provides great images. The vignetting starts around 56 or 57 on the zoom out. So if you keep that in mind it is really great. Good Luck

February 27th, 2007, 07:08 PM	#5
Robert Lane Go Go Godzilla Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA Posts: 2,823 Images: 15	Dean, I've tested both the 1.6x and the 2x converters from Schneider/Century. They both do a fairly good job for what they're supposed to do however there is a noticeable loss of sharpness (more in the 2x than 1.6x) some vingetting (VG) and chromatic aberrations (CA) in both lenses. The loss of sharpness and the introduction of VG/CA isn't significant and won't kill an otherwise good shot, however you do have to be careful of backlit subjects or small points of light, that's where you'll notice the CA the most. Open-sky shots or anything with a monochromatic overtone will show the VG more.

January 25th, 2008, 01:56 PM	#8
Henry Harrison New Boot Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bozeman, Montana Posts: 22	I was curious about the MOD (minimum object distance) for this converter so I called Century (incessently) and they went to the trouble of measuring it for me. The result is 43inches at full zoom. I figured I would post it since I couldn't find the info anywhere else.

January 25th, 2008, 07:52 PM	#9
TingSern Wong Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Singapore, Rep of SINGAPORE Posts: 749	I used the 2X from Century Optics. It is ... sure ... dammed heavy. You MUST require lens support. Otherwise, the optics is very good ... just make sure you don't zoom OUTwards - or you will get vignetting.