Anyone using wide angle lens adaptors?
 

Just wondering how good the WCV-82SC is. Is it a full zoom-through WA adaptor? Any distortion? Can you fit a lens hood over it? I"m looking for a WA adaptor to keep on my second HD100 permanantly, so I need something that allows the full zoom range with distortion.

A wideangle "adapter" is NOT zoom through (or it may be partially zoom through).

A wideangle "converter" is 100% zoom through.

In this thread I link to below, I outlined the adapters from Century with links:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...ght=wide+angle

These are the ones recommended by Century reps at Cinegear in L.A. They are the standard adapters Century has sold for different cameras (using different adapter rings to go from the adapter to the camera) for several years. They are apparently top sellers.

Both Century and JVC sell a .8x converter. These are zoom through. The only difference between them -- according to the Century reps -- is that the Century converter has better optics at the very outside corners/edges. He said the difference is probably not noticeable by most people.

When I called Century last week the person on the phone also mentioned a screw-in adapter. I think it was .6x (not sure) and if it is the one I have read about, it may not be as acceptable as the other choices -- though don't have details.

CAVISION also has an adapter that I believe is partially zoom through. But I don't have any information on this one, the quality of it, etc.

If you are going to leave it on the camera -- the .8x converter might be the best. However, if you are going to need to go more wide-angle, the Century .5x / .7x combo adapter might be more useful -- especially for a second camera -- depending on what kind of shots you are looking for. But with this adapter set there is no zoom.

I have yet to try these adapters myself, since my HD110 camera is in route. However, I have used the .65x converter from Century for years, and it has proven to be excellent.

A minor consideration might be that the converters are generally a bit heavier than adapters... but with the HD100 I doubt this would be important.

Very interesting -- I did not know that! What is the advantage of using an adaptor then? It would seem a converter is the way to go.

I looked at Century's web site (well, Schneider's website now) and it is quite useless. Couldn't find anything of help there. Can you get lens hood for these units?

Since the quality converter only goes to .8x, one adavantage of the adapters is the wider angle possible and still get a quality image. Also, there is less glass in an adapter to shoot through. However, I am not qualified to talk about the technical issues.

The Century webiste is confusing. However, they are available by phone and will give you precise info -- at least from my experience.

Here's a link to the phone numbers. I have always called West Coast office, since they are down the street from me.
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...ght=wide+angle

If you talk to them, and want the details verified (part numbers, is it for sure what you want, etc.) let me know and I will go in and talk to them face to face. I am going to buy something for my new camera, so I am happy to look into it more.

I got the WCV-82SC WA adaptor and KA-551U Tripod adapter with the offer in Canada.The adaptor has proved to be quite useful in close quarters, and it is full zoom through. It screws on the end of the standard lens, but it is a fraction larger in diameter then the end of the standard lens, so once on you can't take the lens hood off without taking off the adaptor. As for distortion, for the price, well I'm happy with the results.

Here is a slow motion clip using the WCV-82SC Wide Angle adaptor, you be the judge. The clip is a large windows file, so you will need a fast computer to view it on. http://www.portstanleynews.com/TV/BMShow.wmv

Sorry to be seeminly overly specific, but the JVC WCV-82SC is a converter, not an adapter. Therefore, yes, it is 100% zoom through.

Converter = 100% Through
Adapter = None or Partial Zoom Through

what does it mean zoom through?

The JVC WCV-82SC is a zoom through converter which means that the converter does not impede the zoom capabilities of the lens. The lens will operate normally as if the converter was not attached.

Beware of using any adapter that isn't aspherical, as spherical elements without fail increase the zoom's barrel distortion. That's ok if you only shoot landscapes in the great outdoors, but you'll not be wanting to track room to room and have the door frame bow outwards as you pass through it.

tom.

In contrast, the Century Optics .7x and .5x adapters go on the lens when it is fully zoomed out and the zoom cannot be used. The zoom cannot be used. To change the image the camera must be moved.

However, because of the increase of depth of field and the wider view causing camera movement to be lessened, the adapters work very well in close quarter handheld shooting. Also, adapters (without zoom through capabilities) are necessary for the wider x. The good quality converters are .8x, while the good quality adapters are .7x and .5x (with the Century kit the .7x is used together with the .5x to get the .5x setting).

I will also mention that the Century adapters are used on many cameras and need an adapter ring that goes between the wideangle adapter and the particular camera being used.

I've not come across a camcorder fitted with a wide-angle adapter that cannot be zoomed, Jack. I've owned and used many camcorders and have 7 different w/angle adapters in my kit, and all have allowed some sort of zooming.

My most powerful 0.5x converts my Z1's 12x zoom to a 6.2x zoom - still very useful in the field.

Not sure what you mean when you say, "with the Century kit the .7x is used together with the .5x to get the .5x setting).'' You can indeed use two single elements together, but the negative power will be greater than the most powerful.

And surely you can just order your Century lens with the attachment thread that matches your zoom's filter thread? What's this about step rings being needed between the two?


tom.

These are two WA adapters:
.7X Wide Angle Adapter sold alone ($449.95):
Part Number: WA-7X93
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

.7X .5X Wide Angle Adapter Set ($949.95)
Part Number WA-7X5X
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

Here is the adapter to put these on the HD100:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

These are the "industry standard" adapters. They are meant to be put on the the camera lens at it's widest setting. Some camera lenses may allow partial zooming. However, they are not meant for zooming. On the other hand, a _converter_ converts a zoom lens to a wider zoom lens. The .8x from both JVC and Century for the HD100 is a converter, not an adapter.

An adapter allows one type of thing to be used in a limited way as if it were another thing. A converter completely transforms one kind of thing into another kind of thing... in this case into a zoom lens of a different range.

As said in the posts above, the JVC .82x and the Century .8x converters are good to put on the lens and leave on, giving you a little wider lens. However, if you need to go wider, I believe the best solution is the Century .5x/.7x adapter. There are various other solutions as discussed in the threads linked above, but for top quality images, I believe the choices are the JVC or the Century options.

Wide-angle adapter - century optics
 

I want to get one of the Century Optics adapters (.7x). I have a few question to those who have the adapter and are using it on the HD100 stock lens. On the B&H site it says it needs a step-up ring that "slips over a 85mm diameter lens and allows connection to the WA-7X93" - the stock lens is an 82 mm diameter lens, no?
1.) So how does this work with the 85 mm "slip on."
2.) From the photo I can't tell but "slip -on" means not a threaded step-up ring?
3.) Will I be able to still use the rubber hood that came with the stock lens when using the wide angle adapter?

Your answers would be much appreciated. Thank You.

0WA-7X93-00 wide-angle adapter
 

I just bought one of these suckers from B&H, but neglected to look into a lens hood, once the adapter is screwed on to the Fuji 16x lens. The Fuji hood is no longer usable once the adapter is on. Does anyone actually own one of these things? What did you use for a lens hood? No info on B&H or Schneider Optics site on this... Sheeesh!

I suggest calling them on the phone:
http://www.schneideroptics.com/contact/contact.htm

The people in Van Nuys have always been helpful. They can quickly answer questions about the availability of lens hoods.

I came into possession of an old Century WA lens and was confused about my options. A talk with a helpful person at Schneider led to the recommendation that I purchase a 82mm UV filter to stiffen the lens ring on the HD-100 stock lens. The lens ring (which is 85mm on the outside hence the size of the slip on adapter) is not study enough to hold the weight of a WA lens for extended periods.

After some tests, I would not leave the adapter on full time since it's not able to handle any zooms. You might keep it on for handheld interviews but that's it. Lens hood? A matte box should do the trick. Probably will not be cheap.

PS: Mr. Walker is the person who set me in the right direction, thank you again.

Would anybody know if the 0.5 version would work too on the JVC?
Does the 0.5 start to give fish-eye effect? It's double price of the 0.7 and I don't wanna end-up buying the wrong product.

It really is a suck-it-and-see situation with converter lenses, but I'm pretty sure the 0.5x will work fine on the JVC. Problem is with such powerful negative elements that they bring with them lots of barrel distortion, and if they're single elements (as against cemented doublets, for instance) quite noticeable colour fringing in the corners.

As I've said before in this thread - if you don't want barrel distortion, you have to use aspherical and not spherical elements. Schneider know this only too well, and Shneider Kreutznach have been making them for years.

tom.

Hi,

I bought a second hand WA-7X5X .7x/5x Wide Angle Adapter Set in perfect condition.
What else to do need to be able to put it on the stock-lens?
I read I need the FA-7x85, but do I also need the FA-8282 Ring?

Regards,
Marc

You need the FA-7x85 to adapt the wide angle to the JVC lens. The wide angle is made for a variety of lenses and needs the appropriate adapter.

You do need the FA-8282 _or_ a filter in the end of the JVC stock lens.

The JVC stock lens is pliable, and it needs the FA-8282 or a filter to make it rigid enough to take the slip-on wide angle adapter.

The FA-8282 is just a ring without any glass. A filter would do the same thing, but it would have the filter glass. The Century rings are generally heavy and sturdy. Something like an ultra-thin filter would not give enough support in the end of the lens.

So you need:
the .5x/.7x wide angle adapter set
the FA-7x85 adapter ring to fit the set to the 82mm/85mm JVC lens
the FA-8282 ring (or an 82mm filter) to make the end of the JVC stock lens rigid enough to hold the adapter

(Note: I think I read somewhere above that the .5x is twice the cost of the .7x. This is not exactly right. The .7x is a single piece. The .5x set includes both the .7x and a second piece that is added to the .7x to make it a .5x. The .5x piece is used together with the .7x and cannot be used alone. However, the .7x is used alone.)

Thanks Jack,
I knew I would find the right answers here on the forum.
I'll order both pieces FA-7x85 / FA-8282.

Regards,
Marc

I'm thinking of ordering the slip-on wide angle adapter as well and I'm not sure I understand this part - the end of my JVC lens seems quite solid. I can't see why it would require a ring to make it solid enough to take the adapter. Am I missing something?

It makes it a bit stronger on the end. And the Wide angle lens grips more on the JVC Lens

ok, thanks Marc!
Marc ;)

.7X .5X Wide Angle Adapter Set
 

I've had the .7X .5X Wide Angle Adapter Set for a number of years; it's a really great piece of kit. I first used it on a BVW 400 then just the .5X on my Digital Betacam and 15x8 (with a doubler. Now the same pair works very well on the HD 200 stock lens.

No you can't zoom through, but that's OK really, if you want to zoom, simply take the adapter off. I would not want to add a zoom through lens to the JVC Fujinon as zoom throughs are very much heavier, I don't think it would do either the fairly fragile stock lens or the lens small HD 200 lens mount any good at all.

Another positive point is that without the clamp-on you have the long end of the original stock lens and a very wide lens with it all very quickly and without taking the Fujinon off the camera. You can zoom through it a bit (not on shot) and refocus. Incidentally, with the adapter on you use the macro button on the back focus ring to focus, NOT the focus ring itself. Get used to this and beware removing the adapter without firmly resetting the macro button back to its locked position.

You MUST keep all the glass spotlessly clean and NO DINGS! Any mark on the glass is pin sharp! Still, once you've set the macro ring the depth of field is enormous.

Yes you do need the FA-7x85 clamp on ring, that's how it mounts the front end of the lens. You can get other rings for other lenses.

I would NOT use a glass filter to add strength to the stock lens, it just adds more glass. Use a Cokin 82mm filter holder ring, it does the same job.

Yes the combination of the two adapters together adds distortion but with the .7X and the .5X it's getting close to fish-eye anyway and is fun for what it is!

I like the contrast it offers and the fact that you can often successfully shoot straight into sun to good effect. It's excellent for sporty hand-held work or Steadycam without the Steadycam. If you spin through to about 1' 20" on the following clip I shot all the final skiing shots hand held using the full the .7X + .5X Wide Angle Adapter Set clamped to the standard zoom on my old Bet SP camera. I skied very much closer to the one legged skier than you might think.

http://www.beardigital.tv/en/SkiingC...rationClip.wmv

The Wide Angle Adapter Set isn't cheap but the glass is good and I've used it a lot, taken great care of it, I've found it to be a very good investment.

Hope this helps

Just to say I made the same error where I said ".5X on my Digital Betacam" I meant the ".7"

We use the JVC WCV-82SC with great success. It is, of course, zoom-through. Our experience is that if you go any wider with an adapter you will pick up too much undesirable distortion, plus you are restricted to using your zoom in the WA position.
I believe that if you don't have the confidence of understanding WA converters and adapters I would go shopping with my camera and test different lens at a pro photo store. Then you can see for yourself.
Good luck,
Ken