Wide angle adapter for stock lens
 

Hey fellas,

The wide angle adapter WCV-82SC for the stock lens...does anyone have a side by side still comparison on how much more viewing space the adapter gives you. Even when it comes to small tight spaces I'm trying to see if it's worth the 500 dollar purchase to get it and if it does the job. Any thoughts?

I just recently bought one and have used it on a couple of shoots. It's a very subtle difference. I don't recall the exact percentage of the increased p.o.v. but something like 14% wider than the stock.

In my opinion it was worth it because any amount of increase is helpful, especially when in tight situations. But don't expect a huge difference.

Tim

Try doing a search here, some one posted a side by side about a year ago. I have one and use it all the time, not much wider though, just a smidge.
Jon

See this thread:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=68420

I uploaded a FOV comparison frame. I determined those frame lines through old fashioned measuring on a white wall with a pencil, and not through calculations.

Chris PM me if you are interested in buying one used. I can post up an ad in the classifieds. I dont use mine since I spend most of my time using the Brevis on my HD100.

-Alan

Yeah that particular adapter is not much wider. I'm now looking at ones from Cavision. What is the mm thread on the front of the stock lens?

Chris,

Stay away from Cavision!!!! You won't be happy. In SD their lenses are soft, I don't even want to imagine what it would look like in HD!!!

Dan Weber

Any other suggestions for adapters, something that's at least a .6 in wideness.

What you are probably looking for is the Century .5x/.7x combo adapter. Together this is a hefty piece of glass, but it is an industry standard. Note -- as explained in the first thread linked below -- a hard ring needs to be screwed into the stock lens to keep it from flexing. Also, the Century .5x/.7x needs an adapter from the adapter to the lens.

The .5x/.7x and other options are explained in these threads:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=72983
(The last post has links to this particular adapter.)

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=74354

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=77946

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=86847

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=87708

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=88015

(Note: The HD110 stock lens [and the wide-angle--I don't know about the others] have an 82mm inside thread and an 85mm outside diameter.)

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.

The Century Optics glass is of a much higher quality than the Cavision stuff.

Much better choice, thus the higher price.

Dan Weber

WA-7x93 Century Wide Angle Adapter
 

I have recently purchased the .7 Wide Angle Adapter for the stock lens and did a little test in my kitchen to see how much more coverage one gets with the adapter.

The red frame indicating an area on the inside of this composite is the widest on the stock lens and the full frame is with the adapter. By my calculations about 40% larger:
http://s149594223.onlinehome.us/tran...Angle-test.jpg

With the adapter there is a slight distortion at the edges and CA (of course). Overall looks good though and would definitely help with handheld work in tight situations.

I did a "pan test" to see distortions along straight lines. This shot in my lovely Venice kitchen shows the distortion. Watch for what was supposed to be straight lines and it's definitely visible (also the CA on brighter/ contrasty areas.) (H264 compressed full frame 720P clip):

http://s149594223.onlinehome.us/tran...r-pan-test.mov

cheers to all.

Thanks Miklos for the footage and images.
It helps in my decision choosing the right wide-angle adapter, as I was not satisfied with the JVC adapter because it doesn't go wide enough.
What was the F-setting while you took the footage for the CA which I see?

It was almost wide open. I think it was just below 4. (sorry that's something I didn't bother to record)

I still haven't figured out a "sunshade" or matte-box for these adapters. Trying to get Schneider optics info is like squeezing blood out of a stone.

BTW: folks, wait for the video to download, it's not a streaming video Qt movie