Which wide-angle adapter for small Sony camcorder

[Tom Hardwick]

and I've seen good results from the multi-coated Kenko shown on this page. 52 mm fitting, so will need an adapter:
http://www.keene.co.uk/electronics/p...ycat=3_803_802

[George Ellis]

Jack, the 5050 works without the adapter (answering from the Canon post). I use it that way all the time. But, when I shoot non-wide, I do remove it. It does very slightly soften the video (which is expected).

[George Ellis]

edit ... code filter is preventing my changing my post


Edit - I have footage here http://versatilemediasolutions.com/F...opeeSample.wmv
98MB WMV

[Jack Kelly]

Hi George,

Thanks loads for the reply. Unfortunately, I need the wide-angle adapter by next week and the Raynox 5050 isn't in stock at the moment so I've had to go for the Hama 0.5x. If it turns out to be rubbish then I'll put it on eBay and get myself a 5050.

Thanks,
Jack

[Jack Kelly]

My Hama 0.5x arrived today. Here are a few quick test images shot indoors with my HC7e in HDV mode, de-interlaced, and compressed as JPEGs in PhotoShop using the 80% quality setting:

http://xlk.org.uk/ext_images/bookshelf02.jpg
http://xlk.org.uk/ext_images/map.jpg
http://xlk.org.uk/ext_images/bookshelf01.jpg

(I share the shelf space with my girlfriend!)

Sure, I know these aren't ideal images for testing a lens but I've got to be quick.

The images aren't as horrible as I'd feared given that the lens was only £35. Sure, there's lots of barrel distortion. The edges are a soft and suffer from chromatic aberration. But, on my SD video monitor, the images don't look too bad.

[Tom Hardwick]

Yeah - not too bad and especially so at that price Jack. Might be worth hunting down the RedEye 0.5x, as they have a new version out. The original one barrel distorted, but the makers claim the new one is much better. I suspect the aspheric surface is now more aspheric, if you see what I mean.

BTW - is you Hama lens coated or multi-coated? I was always under the impression such cheap lenses had uncoated glass surfaces.

tom.

[Jack Kelly]

Originally Posted by Tom Hardwick

BTW - is you Hama lens coated or multi-coated? I was always under the impression such cheap lenses had uncoated glass surfaces.

The box says "HTMC coated lens system".

Incidentally, this Hama adapter is very light - the entire adapter (i.e. lens element + housing) is only 54g. I'm pretty sure the lens element is made of glass... just not very much glass!

Tom - do you think the RedEye 0.5x would out-perform the Raynox HD5050 0.5x?

Hmmmm... if only there was a review site as rigorous as DPreview.com for video kit!

Thanks,
Jack

[Tom Hardwick]

Your Hama is a zoom-through, right? That means it has 2 or more probably three elements in its construction. Weighing so little it undoubetedly has plastic elements, but that's no worry - many people wear plastic lenses on their faces for all their lives.

Some of the Raynox wide-angles are plastic, as so too is the RedEye. The RedEye is not a zoom through, so the HD5050 might be 'better' in that respect (it's a full zoom through). Raynox do make some excellent lenses (I used to have the 6600PRO) but I haven't tested the new 0.5x Redeye. The last one they made was dissappointing.

tom.

[Jack Kelly]

Originally Posted by Tom Hardwick

Your Hama is a zoom-through, right?

Yes, I believe so. It doesn't mention anything about being "zoom-through" or not on the box. But I can zoom in, focus and zoom out and it seems to hold focus (I've only done a very quick test though).

Thanks for all the help,
Jack