Anyone know this Wide angle? at DVinfo.net

Marc Martin · October 7th, 2003, 10:13 PM

Sony has a 52mm wide angle called VCL-MHG07A (37mm or 58mm with adapter), but I can't find any reviews about it. Someone has tried it? Thank.

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTE...HG07A&Dept=acc

Frank Granovski · October 7th, 2003, 10:30 PM

Sorry, can't say anything about it, but I just wanted to mention that Tiffen's 37mm wide angle is very good.

Tom Hardwick · October 8th, 2003, 03:37 AM

The wide-angle is a single (spherical) element that attaches with a 'quick release' adapter that screws to the filter thread of your camera. Sounds great but in reality you have to remove this adapter when you remove the wide-angle because otherwise you can't reattach the hood. Crazy.

Another thing. I tried this on my TRV900 in the shop and the barrel distortion was quite unacceptable for such a pricy single element non zoom through.

tom.

Frank Granovski · October 8th, 2003, 03:41 AM

Tom, what wide angle do you recommend in the 37mm thread size? I know you've tested a number of wide angles which has been published in the UK.

Tom Hardwick · October 8th, 2003, 06:02 AM

All the lenses I tested came in the 58mm thread size (and VX2k bayonet) so I have no experience with the 37mm variety. Of course you can always buy the 58mm version of the Raynox 6600PRO (say) and then use it with a step-up ring. Then if you upgrade to a cam with a bigger filter thread your lenses can come with you.

All the lenses I tested had their pros and cons, though some had more of the former than the latter. My only real complaint was with the Cavision 0.5x which was very dissapointing. Overall my conclusion was this - if you need a wide-angle, go ahead and use one. If you don't need one don't fret - your picture quality will be all the better for not using one.

tom.

Phil Dale · October 9th, 2003, 11:52 AM

Check out a company call TecPro, Ive just bought their 0.5x 37mm wide lens and its stunning, it also has a 49mm filter thread. Ive been using it on a 950 and its difficult to tell the difference in quality with or without the lens on it really is that good. It only shows very slight distortion and has no vignetting. I got mine from WWW.CREATIVEVIDEO.CO.UK for £72, the best bargain Ive had in a long time. I was looking at getting the Tiffen which Frank mentioned but due to the supplier running out of stock in the UK I looked elsewere as I needed it quickly, glad I did.

Tom Hardwick · October 9th, 2003, 12:44 PM

Strangely enough Phil that's exactly the lens I use on my VX2000 - the Tecpro 0.5s. Mine's a 58mm filter thread of course and so cost £119 delivered to my door.

I've been very impressed indeed with the price:performance ratio, and it is indeed very sharp at all focal lengths. As you say there's no vignetting and the image circle is big enough to enable me to leave the UV on my Sony when I attach the Tecpro.

I hood mine with a Cavision hood because the coating on the glass isn't up to Century standards, but it has a neat trick of unscrewing in the middle and leaving a very powerful 10 dioptre CU lens behind.

My only complaint is with the barrel distortion. You've got to really love distortion to go with this lens at full wide but when you're pushed into a corner at least you know it'll be shapr at all apertures. A remarkable lens for the money, and I recommend it to many who ask.

tom.

October 7th, 2003, 10:13 PM	#1
Marc Martin Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Paris, France Posts: 80	Anyone know this Wide angle? Sony has a 52mm wide angle called VCL-MHG07A (37mm or 58mm with adapter), but I can't find any reviews about it. Someone has tried it? Thank. http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTE...HG07A&Dept=acc

October 7th, 2003, 10:30 PM	#2
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Sorry, can't say anything about it, but I just wanted to mention that Tiffen's 37mm wide angle is very good.

October 8th, 2003, 03:37 AM	#3
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	The wide-angle is a single (spherical) element that attaches with a 'quick release' adapter that screws to the filter thread of your camera. Sounds great but in reality you have to remove this adapter when you remove the wide-angle because otherwise you can't reattach the hood. Crazy. Another thing. I tried this on my TRV900 in the shop and the barrel distortion was quite unacceptable for such a pricy single element non zoom through. tom.

October 8th, 2003, 03:41 AM	#4
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Tom, what wide angle do you recommend in the 37mm thread size? I know you've tested a number of wide angles which has been published in the UK.

October 8th, 2003, 06:02 AM	#5
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	All the lenses I tested came in the 58mm thread size (and VX2k bayonet) so I have no experience with the 37mm variety. Of course you can always buy the 58mm version of the Raynox 6600PRO (say) and then use it with a step-up ring. Then if you upgrade to a cam with a bigger filter thread your lenses can come with you. All the lenses I tested had their pros and cons, though some had more of the former than the latter. My only real complaint was with the Cavision 0.5x which was very dissapointing. Overall my conclusion was this - if you need a wide-angle, go ahead and use one. If you don't need one don't fret - your picture quality will be all the better for not using one. tom.

October 9th, 2003, 11:52 AM	#6
Phil Dale Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: UNITED KINGDOM Posts: 25	Check out a company call TecPro, Ive just bought their 0.5x 37mm wide lens and its stunning, it also has a 49mm filter thread. Ive been using it on a 950 and its difficult to tell the difference in quality with or without the lens on it really is that good. It only shows very slight distortion and has no vignetting. I got mine from WWW.CREATIVEVIDEO.CO.UK for £72, the best bargain Ive had in a long time. I was looking at getting the Tiffen which Frank mentioned but due to the supplier running out of stock in the UK I looked elsewere as I needed it quickly, glad I did.

October 9th, 2003, 12:44 PM	#7
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	Strangely enough Phil that's exactly the lens I use on my VX2000 - the Tecpro 0.5s. Mine's a 58mm filter thread of course and so cost £119 delivered to my door. I've been very impressed indeed with the price:performance ratio, and it is indeed very sharp at all focal lengths. As you say there's no vignetting and the image circle is big enough to enable me to leave the UV on my Sony when I attach the Tecpro. I hood mine with a Cavision hood because the coating on the glass isn't up to Century standards, but it has a neat trick of unscrewing in the middle and leaving a very powerful 10 dioptre CU lens behind. My only complaint is with the barrel distortion. You've got to really love distortion to go with this lens at full wide but when you're pushed into a corner at least you know it'll be shapr at all apertures. A remarkable lens for the money, and I recommend it to many who ask. tom.