Wide Angle Adapter

Charles French · April 18th, 2003, 03:29 PM

Do you guys leave your wide angle lense on most of the time? I know zilch but am trying to learn. What is the advantages or disadvantages of leaving lense on?

Bryan Beasleigh · April 18th, 2003, 04:00 PM

Do you have any reason to take it off? seems like a sound criteria to me. If I'm using the wide to short telephoto, i'd leave it on. There's rarely an instance that I would use the long telephoto, so it's going to stay on.

Bryan Beasleigh · April 18th, 2003, 07:01 PM

Playing around with the optex I've noticed that a thin stepping ring or a thin protective filter would be in order. That front end is all glass

Matt Stahley · April 18th, 2003, 10:35 PM

I hardly ever remove my WA lens from the VX2k.

Tom Hardwick · April 19th, 2003, 06:07 AM

Charles - advantages of leaving the wide-angle converter on all the time (and we'll assume a zoom through optic here, ok?)

1) Much more useful range of focal lengths in my view.
2) Easier to get in close and get even better sound tracks.
3) Less visible camera shake, easier tracking movements etc.
4) Less focusing worries. Can be locked down more often with less mistakes.
5) Wide-angle perspective control offered.
6) Less hose-pipeing of the scenery, and one shot gets-it-all-in.

And the disadvantages?

1) Probably three extra elements added to the lens line up. That's six extra surfaces all of which are not centred correctly as they rely on the thread or the bayonet. This means more flare, more distortion, less sharpness.

2). Added weight on the front of the camera.

3) Loss of differential focus because max tele is so reduced.

4) Inability to add filters for fear of vignetting.

Me? I use mine nearly all the time. Panasonic know this and their DVX100 has a much more wide-angle zoom fitted as standard - the same as having the VX2k with a 0.7x widie fitted.

tom.

Paul Tauger · April 19th, 2003, 07:14 AM

I leave mine on almost all the time as well. However, I noticed that, on my VX2000, optical steady shot seems less effective with the lens on than off.

Tom Hardwick · April 19th, 2003, 08:19 AM

Paul - are you serious? You say optical steady shot seems less effective with the lens on than off. Oh - I've re-read it - you think the SSSS is still effective with a wide-angle in place but not as effective as when used on the standard zoom, is that it?

Well, try this test. Zoom to wide angle with SSSS turned on. Gently wave the camera about and note the steadying effect. Now attach the wide-angle converter and zoom up to the same focal length, so the viewfinder shows the same image as before. Gently shake the camera. Do you see any difference in the power or effectiveness of the SSSS? I don't.

tom.

Paul Tauger · April 19th, 2003, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Paul - are you serious? You say optical steady shot seems less effective with the lens on than off. Oh - I've re-read it - you think the SSSS is still effective with a wide-angle in place but not as effective as when used on the standard zoom, is that it?

I know it doesn't sound right, but that's been my experience. Both at full-wide, and at tele, steady shot seems more effective without the wide angle lens in place. I can't think of any reason why this should be so, but it was quite apparent in the video. My shots were steadier without the wide angle lens, than with.

I was doing shots in which I would follow my subjects along, walking behind and hand-holding the camera. Steady shot was more effective at full-wide without the wide angle lens that with it.

The other thing I did was shot at fairly extreme tele, from a seated position with my arms braced. My tele shots without the wide angle lens were much steadier than with.

Bryan Beasleigh · April 19th, 2003, 01:30 PM

Paul
With the optex on the VX2K is a hefty pig.
What kind of brace if any do you use and what do you use as a filter holder.

I also wondered how far you cinch up on the bayonet mount when tightening it.
Thanks
Bryan

Matt Stahley · April 19th, 2003, 02:09 PM

I believe the owners manual to VX2k states that a WA lens attachment may reduce the steadyshot effectiveness.

Will Boggs · April 19th, 2003, 05:25 PM

I am thinking of the Optex for my PD150. Has anyone tried both the Optex and Century side-by-side? Is one shaper than the other or is there no real difference other than $100?

Will Boggs

Bryan Beasleigh · April 19th, 2003, 07:15 PM

I really doubt that by doing a simple A/B test anyone could see any difference. If there is a difference it will be something subtle that'll be noticed in time. The front and rear elements are very well coated and the lens construction is excellent. (I'm picky)

Will Boggs · April 20th, 2003, 07:50 AM

I am picky too. I have bought a few Optex gizmos over the years and like their work. The machining is always top notch. But, Century has become the "d'facto standard" in the relm of lens adaptors. I guess I can always get the Optex .65 and run a few tests and keep it if it is what works.

Will Boggs

Peter Kulka · April 20th, 2003, 09:09 AM

I do have Sony VX9000 Camcorder DV with 52mm lens. Can somebody help me with wide lens I need to by? I found one on E-bay for aprox. USD 60. Model SONY VCL-R0752. Do you think it will fit and work on my camcorder?
Have about dark corners and focus?
Thanks

Charles French · April 21st, 2003, 06:25 AM

Ok I'm buying the optex today. Does anyone have suggestion on a uv or polorizer I should get. I read something about vignetting occurring using a polorizer. Also whats the cost on the cavision sunshade.

April 20th, 2003, 09:09 AM	#119
Peter Kulka Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Newark, CA Posts: 34	VX9000 I do have Sony VX9000 Camcorder DV with 52mm lens. Can somebody help me with wide lens I need to by? I found one on E-bay for aprox. USD 60. Model SONY VCL-R0752. Do you think it will fit and work on my camcorder? Have about dark corners and focus? Thanks

April 18th, 2003, 03:29 PM	#106
Charles French Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: grenada,ms Posts: 78	Do you guys leave your wide angle lense on most of the time? I know zilch but am trying to learn. What is the advantages or disadvantages of leaving lense on?

April 18th, 2003, 04:00 PM	#107
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	Do you have any reason to take it off? seems like a sound criteria to me. If I'm using the wide to short telephoto, i'd leave it on. There's rarely an instance that I would use the long telephoto, so it's going to stay on.

April 18th, 2003, 07:01 PM	#108
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	Playing around with the optex I've noticed that a thin stepping ring or a thin protective filter would be in order. That front end is all glass

April 18th, 2003, 10:35 PM	#109
Matt Stahley Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Waynesboro, PA Posts: 648	I hardly ever remove my WA lens from the VX2k.

April 19th, 2003, 06:07 AM	#110
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	Charles - advantages of leaving the wide-angle converter on all the time (and we'll assume a zoom through optic here, ok?) 1) Much more useful range of focal lengths in my view. 2) Easier to get in close and get even better sound tracks. 3) Less visible camera shake, easier tracking movements etc. 4) Less focusing worries. Can be locked down more often with less mistakes. 5) Wide-angle perspective control offered. 6) Less hose-pipeing of the scenery, and one shot gets-it-all-in. And the disadvantages? 1) Probably three extra elements added to the lens line up. That's six extra surfaces all of which are not centred correctly as they rely on the thread or the bayonet. This means more flare, more distortion, less sharpness. 2). Added weight on the front of the camera. 3) Loss of differential focus because max tele is so reduced. 4) Inability to add filters for fear of vignetting. Me? I use mine nearly all the time. Panasonic know this and their DVX100 has a much more wide-angle zoom fitted as standard - the same as having the VX2k with a 0.7x widie fitted. tom.

April 19th, 2003, 07:14 AM	#111
Paul Tauger Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Los Angeles (recently from San Francisco) Posts: 954	I leave mine on almost all the time as well. However, I noticed that, on my VX2000, optical steady shot seems less effective with the lens on than off.

April 19th, 2003, 08:19 AM	#112
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	Paul - are you serious? You say optical steady shot seems less effective with the lens on than off. Oh - I've re-read it - you think the SSSS is still effective with a wide-angle in place but not as effective as when used on the standard zoom, is that it? Well, try this test. Zoom to wide angle with SSSS turned on. Gently wave the camera about and note the steadying effect. Now attach the wide-angle converter and zoom up to the same focal length, so the viewfinder shows the same image as before. Gently shake the camera. Do you see any difference in the power or effectiveness of the SSSS? I don't. tom.

April 19th, 2003, 01:30 PM	#114
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	Paul With the optex on the VX2K is a hefty pig. What kind of brace if any do you use and what do you use as a filter holder. I also wondered how far you cinch up on the bayonet mount when tightening it. Thanks Bryan

April 19th, 2003, 02:09 PM	#115
Matt Stahley Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Waynesboro, PA Posts: 648	I believe the owners manual to VX2k states that a WA lens attachment may reduce the steadyshot effectiveness.

April 19th, 2003, 05:25 PM	#116
Will Boggs Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ada, Oklahoma Posts: 92	I am thinking of the Optex for my PD150. Has anyone tried both the Optex and Century side-by-side? Is one shaper than the other or is there no real difference other than $100? Will Boggs

April 19th, 2003, 07:15 PM	#117
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	I really doubt that by doing a simple A/B test anyone could see any difference. If there is a difference it will be something subtle that'll be noticed in time. The front and rear elements are very well coated and the lens construction is excellent. (I'm picky)

April 20th, 2003, 07:50 AM	#118
Will Boggs Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ada, Oklahoma Posts: 92	I am picky too. I have bought a few Optex gizmos over the years and like their work. The machining is always top notch. But, Century has become the "d'facto standard" in the relm of lens adaptors. I guess I can always get the Optex .65 and run a few tests and keep it if it is what works. Will Boggs

April 21st, 2003, 06:25 AM	#120
Charles French Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: grenada,ms Posts: 78	Ok I'm buying the optex today. Does anyone have suggestion on a uv or polorizer I should get. I read something about vignetting occurring using a polorizer. Also whats the cost on the cavision sunshade.