What Alternative lenses? at DVinfo.net

Sherif Choudhry · May 18th, 2008, 10:08 AM

Hi, thinking of supplementing my V1 with a Z7 simply for the ability to use alternative lenses -but having searched this forum i cant find anybody whose actually using different lenses.

What lenses can i buy today that will fit Z7, particularly wide angle?

cheers

Tim Dashwood · May 18th, 2008, 10:21 AM

Any 1/3" lens designed for the JVC ProHD line of cameras will work, this includes the Fujinon 17x5 or 13x3.5 wide angle zoom.
You can also purchase the ACM-17 1/3" to 2/3" adapter and use 2/3" lenses or other adapters. Fujinon also makes a 1/3" to 1/2" adapter that I believe is called the ACM-12.
Other alternatives include JVC's HZ-CA13U PL mount adapter which I used with great success this past weekend (in conjunction with VFGadgets' handle bracket so the Z7 could be mounted upside down) and then there is also the P+S mini35 with 1/3" mount relay lens.
There are also a couple of Nikon mount to 1/3" bayonet adapters available for using Nikon F lenses.
Loads of options!

I've attached a couple photos with the HZ-CA13U PL mount adapter (camera must be mounted upside down) and the HZ-CA23U C-mount adapter with ACM-17.

Mike Paterson · May 18th, 2008, 10:41 AM

The Sony VCL-308BWH 24mm-192mm (35mm equivalent) f1.6 - 2.4 is due in June

Zack Birlew · May 18th, 2008, 10:52 AM

Awesome, finally someone used that JVC PL mount adapter. By chance, any stills or video to show how the footage turned out?

Tim Dashwood · May 18th, 2008, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Felis

Awesome, finally someone used that JVC PL mount adapter. By chance, any stills or video to show how the footage turned out?

Coming soon...just need releases from the producers.

Sherif Choudhry · May 18th, 2008, 04:17 PM

Tim, et al, thats good enough for me to dig up on.... thanks much.

Greg Hartzell · May 19th, 2008, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Dashwood

Coming soon...just need releases from the producers.

How'd that go? The test material I've seen posted using the hd200 with the plmount adapter looked absolutely fantstic. What lens did you use? Can't wait to see the z7 footage.

Tim Dashwood · May 19th, 2008, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg Hartzell

How'd that go? The test material I've seen posted using the hd200 with the plmount adapter looked absolutely fantstic. What lens did you use? Can't wait to see the z7 footage.

I'll write up a full review for dvinfo soon.

The prime lenses I rented were 16mm format 3.5mm (fisheye for peephole gag) & 8mm for wide establishing shots. The prime kit also had 35mm format Zeiss T1.3 18mm (my "go-to" lens for the shoot) a 35mm and an 85mm. My ACs would set the backfocus with the 85mm at the top of the day and then we'd be golden for all the other lenses.

As for the Z7 I was impressed with the range of adjustment available, especially with the knee levels and shape option. I also really liked the histogram and "electronic bubble level."
The biggest cons for me were lack of 180 degree image inversion in camera or even in the viewfinder, lack of 144 degree shutter angle (for 60Hz), inability to output HDMI 1080p and a downconverted signal to the composite out simultaneously (which meant I couldn't use the small NTSC camera mount monitor I had) and very disappointing mpeg2 compression on fast movement (a candied-glass vase breaking over someone's head.)

The CF card system performed well but I wish it had an indicator in the viewfinder for time remaining. It is sometimes very difficult to read the LCD display on the CF recorder in the bright sunlight.
The files imported easily into FCP6.0.3 but I'm sure glad we had tape backups because a card filled up during a good take.

Brian Standing · May 20th, 2008, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Paterson

The Sony VCL-308BWH 24mm-192mm (35mm equivalent) f1.6 - 2.4 is due in June

Any word on pricing on this lens, yet?

Or if we can buy the Z7 with this lens instead of the stock lens?

John Knight · May 20th, 2008, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Standing

Or if we can buy the Z7 with this lens instead of the stock lens?

I would buy a 2nd Z7 if it came with the wide angle instead of the normal lens... giving me both options. I asked my supplier if Sony would offer this. He laughed. :(

I found this mentioned.... http://www.trainingvideographers.com...08/5520452.htm

Greg Hartzell · May 20th, 2008, 04:24 PM

Yeah, seems like canons strategy with the xl series, if you want the increased capability, you need to pay the price.

Brian Standing · May 20th, 2008, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Knight;880691I found this mentioned.... [url

http://www.trainingvideographers.com/catalog/item/5541708/5520452.htm[/url]

Getting away from those dang screw-on WA adapters is exactly why I want an interchangeable lens to begin with!

Yeah, I kind figured that you couldn't buy the Z7 with your choice of lenses. That's probably the only way Sony will be able to unload the stock lens!

Shame on Sony for making a more professional camera, but not treating its customers like professionals!

Barry Wilkinson · May 21st, 2008, 09:24 AM

Has anyone tried the Fuji W/A lens for 1/3 inch chip cameras its the only "proper" W/A lens I can find on the net but is nearly as expensive as the camera.
I find the Sony standard lens to be slow to zoom and as others have said I would have preferred to buy my 270 without a lens and get a decent manual professional alternative. Its a pity Canon dont make a W/A 1/3 inch chip lens as I have always used them.

Zach Love · May 21st, 2008, 07:20 PM

-----

EDIT: (mostly nevermind!) found the lens cable jack hidden by the stock lens right under the grip. so I have to assume that all "normal" lens functions will work through this jack.

but if someone has used the JVC stock lenses (they're Fuji, right), I'd be interested to hear what they think of them

------

has anyone used / know how well the JVC HD100,200... series lenses work w/ the Z7 / S270?

the biggest thing that I am wondering about is if the record trigger still works, if there is power for the servo zoom and if it can do auto iris.

from what I can tell the JVC lenses use a cable like larger Betacams that go from the camera to the lens, while the Z7/S270 is completely internal.

(sorry if this has already been covered)

Justin Ferar · May 21st, 2008, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zach Love

-----

EDIT: (mostly nevermind!) found the lens cable jack hidden by the stock lens right under the grip. so I have to assume that all "normal" lens functions will work through this jack.

but if someone has used the JVC stock lenses (they're Fuji, right), I'd be interested to hear what they think of them

------

has anyone used / know how well the JVC HD100,200... series lenses work w/ the Z7 / S270?

the biggest thing that I am wondering about is if the record trigger still works, if there is power for the servo zoom and if it can do auto iris.

from what I can tell the JVC lenses use a cable like larger Betacams that go from the camera to the lens, while the Z7/S270 is completely internal.

(sorry if this has already been covered)

I would like to know as well...

I just bought the 17x Fuji- it would be absolutely fabulous if it works with Sony as well. It would make sense since there are a couple of lenses already out there for the JVC. As Zach already mentioned- I hope the servo/power options all work as opposed to just a lens that fits.

May 18th, 2008, 10:08 AM	#1
Sherif Choudhry Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: London Posts: 222	What Alternative lenses? Hi, thinking of supplementing my V1 with a Z7 simply for the ability to use alternative lenses -but having searched this forum i cant find anybody whose actually using different lenses. What lenses can i buy today that will fit Z7, particularly wide angle? cheers

May 18th, 2008, 10:21 AM	#2
Tim Dashwood Wrangler Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 3,637	Any 1/3" lens designed for the JVC ProHD line of cameras will work, this includes the Fujinon 17x5 or 13x3.5 wide angle zoom. You can also purchase the ACM-17 1/3" to 2/3" adapter and use 2/3" lenses or other adapters. Fujinon also makes a 1/3" to 1/2" adapter that I believe is called the ACM-12. Other alternatives include JVC's HZ-CA13U PL mount adapter which I used with great success this past weekend (in conjunction with VFGadgets' handle bracket so the Z7 could be mounted upside down) and then there is also the P+S mini35 with 1/3" mount relay lens. There are also a couple of Nikon mount to 1/3" bayonet adapters available for using Nikon F lenses. Loads of options! I've attached a couple photos with the HZ-CA13U PL mount adapter (camera must be mounted upside down) and the HZ-CA23U C-mount adapter with ACM-17. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Tim Dashwood

May 18th, 2008, 04:17 PM	#6
Sherif Choudhry Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: London Posts: 222	ThaNKS! Tim, et al, thats good enough for me to dig up on.... thanks much.

May 21st, 2008, 09:24 AM	#13
Barry Wilkinson Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grange over Sands UK Posts: 99	Fuji W/A lens for HVR S270 Has anyone tried the Fuji W/A lens for 1/3 inch chip cameras its the only "proper" W/A lens I can find on the net but is nearly as expensive as the camera. I find the Sony standard lens to be slow to zoom and as others have said I would have preferred to buy my 270 without a lens and get a decent manual professional alternative. Its a pity Canon dont make a W/A 1/3 inch chip lens as I have always used them. __________________ Cameraman BBC and ITV since 1966

May 21st, 2008, 07:20 PM	#14
Zach Love Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 944	----- EDIT: (mostly nevermind!) found the lens cable jack hidden by the stock lens right under the grip. so I have to assume that all "normal" lens functions will work through this jack. but if someone has used the JVC stock lenses (they're Fuji, right), I'd be interested to hear what they think of them ------ has anyone used / know how well the JVC HD100,200... series lenses work w/ the Z7 / S270? the biggest thing that I am wondering about is if the record trigger still works, if there is power for the servo zoom and if it can do auto iris. from what I can tell the JVC lenses use a cable like larger Betacams that go from the camera to the lens, while the Z7/S270 is completely internal. (sorry if this has already been covered) Last edited by Zach Love; May 21st, 2008 at 07:58 PM. Reason: found answer

May 18th, 2008, 10:41 AM	#3
Mike Paterson Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 99	The Sony VCL-308BWH 24mm-192mm (35mm equivalent) f1.6 - 2.4 is due in June

May 18th, 2008, 10:52 AM	#4
Zack Birlew Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 613	Awesome, finally someone used that JVC PL mount adapter. By chance, any stills or video to show how the footage turned out?

May 20th, 2008, 04:24 PM	#11
Greg Hartzell Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Columbia, CT Posts: 168	Yeah, seems like canons strategy with the xl series, if you want the increased capability, you need to pay the price.