Best sub-US$7000 HD lens? at DVinfo.net

Brian Standing · April 28th, 2008, 09:41 AM

I'm looking at upgrading (from a PD150) to a three 1/3" chip HDV camera. I'm curious about the optics on these, especially now that interchangeable lenses are becoming available on 1/3" cameras. How would you rate the following lenses/cameras, based solely on their optical characteristics? I'm particularly interested in the stock lenses that ship with these cameras, since that may well be the deciding factor for me. If you could only have one of these lenses, which would be your first, second or third choice?

- Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 1/3" 12x (HVR-Z7u stock lens);
- Canon 20x Zoom Lens with XL Mount (XL-H1 stock lens);
- Fujinon 16 x Optical Zoom (JVC HD100/200 series stock lens);
- Canon HD Video Lens 6x XL 3.4-20.4mm;
- Fujinon Th17x5BRM 5-85mm;
- Fujinon TH13x3.5BRMU 1/3" 13x High Definition Wide-Angle Lens.

And, just for fun, how would the lenses on the following fixed-lens cameras compare:
- Canon XHA1;
- Sony Z1;
- Panasonic HVX200;
- Sony V1.

Alex Humphrey · June 10th, 2008, 11:01 PM

Hi, I moved from the Sony TRV-900/VX2100 to a JVC HD110. Only some growing pains. I've got the 16x stock lens and it's OK. That is to say, the format and lens is much better than the VX1000 and not even in the same ball game as the TRV-900 type of 3 chips. Does it compare to NFL MLB HD? Nope.... but if I keep the aperture f4.5 - f5.6 it's quite good. It mostly falls apart near the last 1/3rd of the telephoto range. I'll post two pics here a rodeo at full tele (85mm?) around f5.6. Looks pretty decent.. a little soft, then a softball game, shot about the best the stock lens can handle. around 30 or 40mm around f5.6. I set the detail (sharpness/edge enhancements) to Min or -9. So that man made objects don't shimmer (moire) at different zoom ranges. Last year I tested a 13x Fujinon at JVC's HD lunch in San Francisco... Wow. is all I can say. I've seen some footage from the 17x lens... and I'm not sure what aperature they used, but it wasn't wow. So with the 16 lens, electronic ND2 and at least 1 ND screw on filter, you can get some decent results...

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/attachmen...7&d=1213073665

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/attachmen...8&d=1213074535

Alex Humphrey · June 10th, 2008, 11:19 PM

oh, just tripped over this... somewhat related... it's stolen from part of dv magazine's online version of their print magazine. (www.dv.com) The image is showing a JVC HD100 with 16x lens strapped on top of a Sony HDV camcorder, both pointing out side.

http://www.dv.com/dv/magazine/2006/M...605hd10002.jpg

Below is the reference shot, with the blow up of the central portion of the pic comparing the two cameras...

http://www.dv.com/dv/magazine/2006/M...605hd10001.jpg

April 28th, 2008, 09:41 AM	#1
Brian Standing Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 621	Best sub-US$7000 HD lens? I'm looking at upgrading (from a PD150) to a three 1/3" chip HDV camera. I'm curious about the optics on these, especially now that interchangeable lenses are becoming available on 1/3" cameras. How would you rate the following lenses/cameras, based solely on their optical characteristics? I'm particularly interested in the stock lenses that ship with these cameras, since that may well be the deciding factor for me. If you could only have one of these lenses, which would be your first, second or third choice? - Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 1/3" 12x (HVR-Z7u stock lens); - Canon 20x Zoom Lens with XL Mount (XL-H1 stock lens); - Fujinon 16 x Optical Zoom (JVC HD100/200 series stock lens); - Canon HD Video Lens 6x XL 3.4-20.4mm; - Fujinon Th17x5BRM 5-85mm; - Fujinon TH13x3.5BRMU 1/3" 13x High Definition Wide-Angle Lens. And, just for fun, how would the lenses on the following fixed-lens cameras compare: - Canon XHA1; - Sony Z1; - Panasonic HVX200; - Sony V1. __________________ http://www.prolefeedstudios.com/blog/ Documentary for the masses!

June 10th, 2008, 11:01 PM	#2
Alex Humphrey Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: california North and South Posts: 642	Hi, I moved from the Sony TRV-900/VX2100 to a JVC HD110. Only some growing pains. I've got the 16x stock lens and it's OK. That is to say, the format and lens is much better than the VX1000 and not even in the same ball game as the TRV-900 type of 3 chips. Does it compare to NFL MLB HD? Nope.... but if I keep the aperture f4.5 - f5.6 it's quite good. It mostly falls apart near the last 1/3rd of the telephoto range. I'll post two pics here a rodeo at full tele (85mm?) around f5.6. Looks pretty decent.. a little soft, then a softball game, shot about the best the stock lens can handle. around 30 or 40mm around f5.6. I set the detail (sharpness/edge enhancements) to Min or -9. So that man made objects don't shimmer (moire) at different zoom ranges. Last year I tested a 13x Fujinon at JVC's HD lunch in San Francisco... Wow. is all I can say. I've seen some footage from the 17x lens... and I'm not sure what aperature they used, but it wasn't wow. So with the 16 lens, electronic ND2 and at least 1 ND screw on filter, you can get some decent results... http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/attachmen...7&d=1213073665 http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/attachmen...8&d=1213074535

June 10th, 2008, 11:19 PM	#3
Alex Humphrey Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: california North and South Posts: 642	oh, just tripped over this... somewhat related... it's stolen from part of dv magazine's online version of their print magazine. (www.dv.com) The image is showing a JVC HD100 with 16x lens strapped on top of a Sony HDV camcorder, both pointing out side. http://www.dv.com/dv/magazine/2006/M...605hd10002.jpg Below is the reference shot, with the blow up of the central portion of the pic comparing the two cameras... http://www.dv.com/dv/magazine/2006/M...605hd10001.jpg