EX3 XS8x4 wide angle in the flesh
 

I'm just back from the BIRTV 2008 show in Beijing, where I got to play with the XS8x4 for the first time. Initial impressions are that it is very similar to the stock lens but the focus may be slightly smoother. The front has a very nice removable rubber hood and a large thread on it. It seemed very sharp to the edges and seemed to have little CA. Didn't seem all that much wider than the stock lens with a Sony WA adapter however. Still it handles much better than a stock lens + adapter.

Dan

how much will these cost?

Very interesting. A Sony rep at the recent Pro Products trade show in MD told me they weren't going to be releasing a wide zoom lens anymore. He referred me to the nearby Fuji booth to look at their XDCAM 1/2" lenses . These lenses work w/EX3 but they are the expensive broadcast lenses w/zoom motor in handle. Not what I had envisioned.
The lens in your photos seems more appropriate (lighter/less expensive ?)

thanks for the info.

Sony rep told me today to look for them end of November or early December.

Last I heard, price was around $4000

I was told the lens will be available at some point as yet undecided and that in Asia at least they had not decided whether Fujinon or Sony were going to distribute the lens.

Dan

I believe the lens and lens adapters for the EX3 will be distributed by Fujinon as they are after all Fujinon products produced by Fujinon and not Sony.

I went back to the show today and they confirmed the same thing for Asia, Fujinon will distribute and it will ship before the end of the year.

Dan

This was confirmed to me by B&H also.

be good to know how much wider it is than the stock lens with wide angle adaptor on

These are the numbers I have been given by my supplier: XS8X4AS-XB8 is 4~32 mm (equal to 21.5~173 mm compared to a still 35 mm camera)