Recommended for any PC 110e or later Model on tour
Written: Jul 08 '05 (Updated Jul 08 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Field of View
Compact and lite
No impact on the exposure or auto focus
Cons: Cost
Needs a more protective (rubber)rim
Could come in a nice hard canister case
The Bottom Line: It's a good buy,
Saves Time and panning which makes your vids look more professional.
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| sea__wong's Full Review: Sony VCL-HG0737X - .7x Digital Wide Angle Convers... |
This is the second most usefull Lens I've ever bought for any of my camera kits, still, Film or Video!
If you're wondering how to capture that panoramic view on you next trip, or how to get the real feel of the event sporting or otherwise this is your lens.
Best Features
1. Great Field of View
2. Compact and small enough to take with you
3. No impact on the exposure or auto focus
4. Excellent Optic quality.
Missing or needs Improvement
1. Nothing
2. ok could be a little cheaper
3. could come in a nice hard canister case
4. and have a rubber protective boot / rim.
Why Did I Buy it?
I previously used a zoom lens on my canon EOS that gave me a wide angle to Zoom capability ( 35 > 110mm in 35mm Camera format ). I really missed the capability to capture scenic and rooom shots even in my Video or Low res digital happy snaps.
So I set myself the goal of finding a lens that could enhance the great zoom on my Sony PC110E! I thought for just a few bucks I could get something just for those few occasions when I need a wider angle.
(I know, we gotta dream)
I found there were several look-alike lenses on the market and indeed Sony make two grades of lens one being "value oriented" It was the impact on the auto focus that swayed me. the Lens does have a huge impact on the camera's focus logic, so while a cheaper lens with poorer edge qulaity may seem a reasonable trade-off in a manual or film camera, The impact of poor qulity is greatly enhanced in the PC110E. Let me explain.
The auto Focus runs continuously to keep the image in-focus as you move the camera, this process starts quite wide in the shot, so edge optic qulaity is very important. remember even if your subject doesn't move you probably will. This means that your video time per battery pack is affected by the accuracy of the auto focus ( all other things being equal). The impact of the lower quality lenses is to make the autofocus run harder, sapping your battery, and that's just before you get your "pristine Digital video" onto a PC an notice the shakes and poor focus response on the "big screen".
So you really need to spend the money on the Lens or forget wide angle and get really good at pan shots. I suggest you buy a really good anti-shake "steady cam kit".
I hope you find the decision easier after reading my musings. Here's what I have learnt in the last six months.
Note: I found attaching and removing the lens a real pain at first as I have a Sony belt pack bag and it didn't fit in on the Sony camera with other items in it ( tape and battery. I eventually bought a "fanny" or bum bag to put the gear in.
Best Use Techniques
After 6 months with this lens I can now say I leave it on all the time. If you read this and have any suggestions please feel free to post a comment I'd love to hear from you.
Summary
So what's so good about this Lens?
Great optic Quality matched to the Auto focus and exposure Programme in the Sony PC110e
see
http://www.css.ap.sony.com/consumer/template/IMCategory.aspx?Model=DCR-PC110E&Category=Handycam
The Wide angle will make your vids look pro especially if you're able to edit them together ok on the PC or Mac
Light weight
Is it all True ?
Yes,
I recommend this Lens for general duties work.
Key Points
Pros
1. Field of View
2. Compact and lite
3. No impact on the exposure or auto focus
Cons
1. Cost
2. Needs a more protective (rubber)rim
3. Could come in a nice hard canister case
Recommended
Yes
Amount Paid (HK$): $595
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
sea__wong
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Location: Sydney,NSW,Australia
Reviews written: 6
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
An engineer who loves the acceleration of Human spirit that invention brings.
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