1/2 inch Lens' for DVCAM/DV Cameras
 

Hi Everyone. Just wanted to get your thoughts on Lens Quality vs. Video Quality - experiences you've had.

This is specifically with standard 1/2 inch Broadcast lens' for cameras like the AG-DV200, DSR370 or the DV500

In otherwords, have you seen significant improvements in video quality when moving from the standard 14x 16x basic video lens' provided in most packages to a higher end $4K, 6K Lens.

What is the difference you see, and how much if you had to quantify it.

Thanks kindly for your time.
Paul

That's a great question Paul.

I went through this when I upgraded my JV-KY 19 from the factory lens to a "better" lens several years ago.

As told to me by a Fujinon rep, the normal budget for the 1/2 lens that they provided for JVC to put on their KY-19 has a $700.00 budget.

The 1/2 inch lens I bought later on cost me $3,000.00! (this was back in 96,97). The biggest difference is in low light. The lens seems to produce straighter lines when it is wide open, whereas the lens that came with the camera sort of falls apart when you get below 2.4-2.8.

Another plus is the lens tends to have a wider angle and a longer zoom. The factory lens on my camera was approximately 7.5-98, my replacement lens was 6.7 to 118.

I can't tell you how many times that 6.7 wide saved me in close quarters.

I'm more familiar with 2/3" lenses than 1/2" ones, but I think the same principles apply. The better lenses are sharper, have less distortion and usually have a more solid, robust feel. The zoom is usually a lot better, and the focus and aperture rings always have a good feel. They're also quite a bit heavier, which probably means less plastic, more metal. Some cheap lenses give you quite a bit of distortion when shooting wide open, and the better ones don't.

Great. Thanks Alessandro, Bill. Appreciate your help.

Cheers
Paul