Sony FX7 and Wide Angle Lens of Sony VX2000? at DVinfo.net

Adriano Moroni · January 2nd, 2007, 10:22 AM

Hi,
I have o good Century Optics Wide Angle Lens x5 that I use with my
Sony VX2000.
Now I'd like to purchase a Sony FX7 and I'd like to get some info
please.
Can I use that Wide Angle Lens on FX7 (with an adapter)?
Will be a good option to use it with FX7? In fact that Wide Angle Lens
was born for a DV camera and not for HD. I like very much that Wide
Angle Lens because it has a bayonet attack and it is possoble to use
the zoom.
I have just written to Century Optics but his email has not convinced
me.
They have told me the quality of every Century Optics Wide Angle Lens
is good as DV as HD.
thanks for some info.

Tom Hardwick · January 2nd, 2007, 10:55 AM

Their reply is correct. Century don't make 'low quality' versions of their converter lenses for standard definition. I fact no manufacturer does - they all want you to 'upgrade' when you go HDV because it's good for sales.

Remember that even HDV is so-so in terms of photographic quality (about 3 mega-pixels tops in the stills mode) and converter lenses are commonly sold for 10 mega-pixel still cameras.

Your bayonet Century is designed for the VX2k which has a 58 mm filter thread. The FX7 has a noticeably larger 62 mm diameter thread and consequently a completely different bayonet for its hood and for add-on lenses.

So it sounds to me as if you can't use your 0.5x with the FX7, and this brings to light the problem of buying the bayonet version of any lens - it's much harder to upgrade. Had it been a screw thread version then a step-down ring of 62>58 mm would have worked, though you might just have vignetted the corners on full wide.

tom.

January 2nd, 2007, 10:22 AM	#1
Adriano Moroni Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Rome Italy Posts: 676	Sony FX7 and Wide Angle Lens of Sony VX2000? Hi, I have o good Century Optics Wide Angle Lens x5 that I use with my Sony VX2000. Now I'd like to purchase a Sony FX7 and I'd like to get some info please. Can I use that Wide Angle Lens on FX7 (with an adapter)? Will be a good option to use it with FX7? In fact that Wide Angle Lens was born for a DV camera and not for HD. I like very much that Wide Angle Lens because it has a bayonet attack and it is possoble to use the zoom. I have just written to Century Optics but his email has not convinced me. They have told me the quality of every Century Optics Wide Angle Lens is good as DV as HD. thanks for some info.

January 2nd, 2007, 10:55 AM	#2
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	Their reply is correct. Century don't make 'low quality' versions of their converter lenses for standard definition. I fact no manufacturer does - they all want you to 'upgrade' when you go HDV because it's good for sales. Remember that even HDV is so-so in terms of photographic quality (about 3 mega-pixels tops in the stills mode) and converter lenses are commonly sold for 10 mega-pixel still cameras. Your bayonet Century is designed for the VX2k which has a 58 mm filter thread. The FX7 has a noticeably larger 62 mm diameter thread and consequently a completely different bayonet for its hood and for add-on lenses. So it sounds to me as if you can't use your 0.5x with the FX7, and this brings to light the problem of buying the bayonet version of any lens - it's much harder to upgrade. Had it been a screw thread version then a step-down ring of 62>58 mm would have worked, though you might just have vignetted the corners on full wide. tom.