Any suggestions for a wide angle 1/2" lens
 

Just got a pdw-f350 and looking for something decent. I'm entertaining the thought of a 5.5 fujinon but not sure if i would be better with something wider. I've got a nice sd long lens but it's 2/3" and if i get the mtf adapter it will be even longer. I don't mind spending the money but i want to make sure i'm getting the most bang for my buck.

Marshall,

On a 1/2" camera, like the F350, a 5.5mm lens is not very wide at all. In fact, it's the equivalent of about a 7.5mm on a 2/3" camera. 8mm is usually considered a "normal" lens on a 2/3" camera, so 7.5 is just slightly wider than that.

You'll have to get down below 4mm before you really have a wide angle on your camera.

The Fujinon 16x4.4 with 2X is, IMO, a great way to get the best of both worlds. I'm less familiar with Canon's 1/2 offerings, but that's the area you should be looking at.

Like Doug said, 5.5 isn't all that wide and we can both attest to this because we both have that very lens.

I also like the look of the 13x3.3 which will give you some really wide stuff. The lower zoom ratio helps reduce CA issues also. The 105mm front on that lens also gathers more light which helps keep noise down a bit.

-gb-

I use the Fujinon XS13x3.3 BRM and it looks great on full wide with a very nice touch on the zoom toggel. Snap zooms work as well.

Dan