I have the Century anamorphic and really like it, but at this time in DV's evolution, I kind of agree with Boyd. I don't know that I would consider it such a great investment to buy one at full price. Why not try getting one used? They show up on eBay from time to time for under $400. That's where I got mine. I would say that it makes an enormous difference with the GL1 if you want to shoot 16:9. Plus, it gives you a wide angle of view with less distortion than the WD58. I never take mine off. I'd avoid the bayonet mount because who knows, if you had the threaded version you might find some wacky use for it in a few years when every camcorder already has native 16:9.

This is kind of an old thread, but I thought that people might want to know that the Century zoom-through does in fact exist. I called over there a few days ago and was told it was selling at an insane rate and that's why you don't see them in stock anywhere. You can buy them directly from Century though for list -- ouch!

Century optics 16:9 Problem
 

Just got a Century Optics 16:9 lens for our GL2. For Some reason it is Fish eyeing all the footage . Is this normal? Is It the Lens? Or is there something with in the camera that needs to be setup. We have a shoot this weekend and any help with this problem would be greatly appreciated.

Do you have the partial zoom or full zoom through version? I've got the partial zoom version and used to use it with the GL1. I had no fisheye effect at all. In fact, at full wide I'd say there was less distortion than with the WD58.

Its a Partial Zoom. Its The Century DS-1609GL if that at all helps. We bought it used yesterday. We would hate to have to return it.

Do you have it oriented correctly?

If you aim at a circle...it should now look a like a vertically skinny oval in your viewfinder/lcd. [And not a flattened oval].

Century 1.33X Anamorphic Converter any one use?
 

has any one used the Century 1.33X Anamorphic Converter for there gl2? if so how does it look?

http://www.centuryoptics.com/products/dv/133x/133x.htm

Hood for Century Widescreen adapter
 

Is there a decent hood avaliable?
I just recieved the adapter I found on ebay and that's all it really needs.

Thanks,
Bob T.

Cavision makes a variety of lens shades, maybe one of them will work?

http://www.cavision.com/LensHood/sunshade.htm

Century also makes some clamp-on models, I have one for my .6x and 1.6x convertors. Don't think they're listed on the website however - try giving them a call.

Thanks Boyd....I'll look into it.

Bob T.

Filters for use with a Century 16:9 Anamorphic Lens?
 

Is a matte box the only option for filters when using the Century wide screen lens?

Is there anything else?

Bob T.

Century makes several sizes of clamp-on lens shades but I don't believe they're listed on their website. Give them a call and see what's available. I think Cavision makes some as well.

Century GL1/2 16:9 adapter for $99.00 at Schneider optics
 

Schneider optics, who now owns Century optics is listing their GL1/2 16:9 adapter for $99.00....

Link here:
Century 16:9 adapter

I'd order one myself, but I already have one....

I guess they are just dumping inventory on older cameras....they have the same price on the Sony VX2100 adapter....

Bob T.

Now if they'd only offer the full zoom-through version for that price....

-Terence

From their specs, looks like it gives about 8x zoom range, and nets to abut 12% wider field of view than the standard lens, vs 33%wider were it full zoom through at the wide end.

Bob: Wonder how people like it who may have a higher price? Sounds like at $99 you think it is a good deal.

I found mine on e-bay last february for about $300 and thought I got a steal.
It is practically a permanent part of my camera....
I much prefer 16:9 and I rarely need full zoom.

A buddy of mine just ordered one for his VX2100...

Bob

Bob,

You got it right. We are looking to unload a lot of 16:9 and other pieces. I will keep everyone informed as other deals happen. We also have monthly deals on our front page for filter sales. 70%+ off.

Ryan Avery
Schneider Optics

Thanks for filling us in Ryan...

Hope I didn't steal your thunder by posting this, but there are a lot of used Canon GLs and Sony VXs being bought by beginners on a budget, (like myself), and it's one heck of a lens for $99.00....

Bob T.

The more people that know about the sale the better. The only people upset by the sale will be those dealers that have them stuck in thier inventory at full price. We are fairly certain that those are few if any left. Either way, this sale won't last long. If anyone is to pick one up, they better do it in the next few days. . .

Ryan Avery
Schneider Optics

Would this be suitable for the Sony PD170?

Cheers
Simon

I believe there was a Sony mount version listed on the site yesterday.

Yes. Here is the link.

http://www.schneideroptics.com/Ecomm...D=1072&IID=873

Ryan Avery
Schneider Optics

Can someone explain to my stupid little brain what the difference between this and a standard wide angle adaptor is? Does it make any 4:3 camera natively 16:9?

I can't get my head round the idea.

Yes. That's exactly what it does, except remove the word "native." The camera is still native 4:3, but with this converter it's now recording 16:9 anamorphic without losing any vertical resolution.

This is completely different from a standard wide angle adapter, which simply gives you a wider field of view and has nothing to do with the aspect ratio of the image itself (in other words, a wide angle adapter used on a 4:3 camcorder is still giving you 4:3 video).

It's pretty simple really... :

the WA lense will give you just that : a wider angle either in 4/3 or 16/9

the 16/9 adaptor here will actually make sure that you use all the pixel of the 4/3 normal ratio of the GL2 for a "real" *optical* 16/9 ratio, instead of using the mode "widescreen" on your GL2 which give you a "false" 16/9 ratio, electronically created...(which is losing resolution)

In short, this adaptor will give you more resolution (the maximum that the GL2 can) if you want to shoot in 16/9.

It's basically the best way to get the best 16/9 from a GL2 (or any 4/3 cameras for that matter). Other than that, you need to get a camera with real 16/9 chips (XL2 for instance or almost all HD camera around).

Phil

Full vertical resolution, but wider pixels, so horizontal width is greater for the same number of pixels. Also,apparently it is not full zoom-though on either end, but you do get a bit wider horizontal field of view than you do with the standard lens at full wide.

Is there an XL1 version somewhere?

I've not heard of a 16x9 adapter with 72mm mount specifically for the XL1. Panasonic offers the Anamorphic Adapter LA-7200G in 72mm mount for some of their camcorders. But I really know nothing about it. Some details and reviews at:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...s_Adapter.html
I understand it has been tried on a XL-series camcorder, but have no personal experience with it. You may find more information in the several XL series camcorder forums.

For the price you would have to pay for a quality 16x9adapter in a 72mm mount, and considering the limitations it may have on zoom range, etc., you just may be better off trading the XL1 and cash for, say, a XH-A1 with native 16x9 capability, and HD to boot. Then again, you may be able to find a used model at a bargain price from someone who has switched to HD.

My question was mostly asked in relation with this sale from schneider optics. I never considered a 16:9 adaptor an option because of the limitations you pointed and the relatively high cost usually asked for them. Instead I bought an XL2.

But I have an XL1 sitting on a shelf here and if there was an adapter for a couple of hundreds or less, I might be able to use it in some two cameras situations.

I see them listed used for around U$400, give or take, on auction sites, Craigs List, etc.

Good evening,

thankyou for this post. I eyeballed these a couple years back for my gl2 and passed because of the expense. I ordered mine today.
Ishoot 2 camera shoots with an xl2 and a gl2. Truly a score!!!!


thanks again!!! especially to schnider optics!!

so, do you have the camera set on 4:3 or 16:9

When using the Century 16:9 adaptor....set the camera for 4:3.
You expand the video to 16:9 after capture.

Bob T.

I ordered this to compliment my VX. I know it is bayonet for that camera. I am curious if I could use it on my HV20 to get academy or wider aperature, with some sort of adapter. Might be fun to play with...

This seems to be just what I am looking for. YES !! I have two GL2 cams. However, would you please answer some questions?

Can we say that this lens will give me a true anamorphic picture? I think the answer is "YES". If so, how will I "unsqueeze " the picture when I capture it using Premiere Elements? It's OK if I don't,or don't need to, but my main concern is if I burn the final editied project to a DVD will it be in an anamorphic 16:9 format on the disc?

In other words will a DVD player set in the 4:3 mode properly display the geometry of my film with black bars at the top and bottom of the screen? Yet if the DVD player is set in the 16:9 mode, will the picture have correct geometry and fill the widescreen TV ???

A-dap-tor kit...
 

I've got a question, with the 16:9 adaptor mounted on the camera, why is the zoom limited? What happends when you try to zoom in fully, is there a chance of damaging the camera?

No, you will not damage the camera, but after a certain zoom point, you will not be able to focus correctly anymore.

Tom,

Thanks for your call. I figured I would answer these questions here instead of in a call so that everyone can benefit.

The 16:9 attachment will give you a true anamorphic image in that the image is original resolution and nothing sacrificed. The image is just squeezed to 16:9. Therefore, the camera should be set on normal 4:3 mode when shooting. As far as image editing to DVD, we have never tried to burn the image to DVD so I cannot say how it would play on the TV after being run through the software. However, the when we run footage back from tape in the camera, the image is displayed filling the monitor. If you had a 16:9 television, I would image (but have not tested) that this would fill the frame as well. We designed the optic to squeeze the image and tested it for resolution on the screen. Any other editing issues and result thereof would need to be directed at someone from that software company or a more knowledgable user on that subject.

Ryan Avery
Scheider Optics

A Note to all,

We have sold out of all 16:9 anamorphic lenses in our stock. We will no longer offer the lens at $99 but we will still be able to manufacture the lens on request. The price will return to normal at $895.00 or less depending on your dealer.

Thanks,

Ryan Avery
Schneider Optics

Thanks Ryan. Glad I ordered mine last night.

Your reply is fine. Displayed aspect ratio can be easily controled, in most cases, with the TV remote anyway. However, it will be interesting to see how it comes out.

Stage production with a full orchestra and/or chorus sure makes a great 16:9 picture. When I saw the 4:3 frame in rehersal, I couldn't believe the wasted resolution on the overhead spotlights and even the first two or three rows of seats. Guess I'll have to just mask that out this time since the production will take place before my order arrives. Thanks so much for the great deal!
Regards, Tom

Oh yes, thanks to Bob Thieda too. Without this thread I might not have ever know about this great deal for my GL 2 cams.