HDR-HC1: I need help on wide-angle and filters

Jordi Matey · April 19th, 2009, 04:24 PM

Spiderbrace make a small brace just for palmcorders now (I got one for my Canon FS100), which works great - $49. Might wanna have a look...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floris van Eck

I am selecting the right equipment to shoot my first documentary with the HDR-HC1. First of all, I am looking for a wide-angle conversion lens. The Sony Y lens looks pretty good to me, but there might be other alternatives that are equally impressive in their performance. So I would like to hear which lens you are using and how you would rate its performance.

Furthermore, I want to buy some filters. There are hundreds of filters but I only want the essential ones. Color correction etctera is very nice but I guess I prefer to do that in post-production instead of with a filter. I was thinking about a ND filter and maybe something like softening or polarisation. I am also considering a graduated ND filter. What I would like to know is, which filters are essential for documentary filmmaking for indoor and outdoor shooting, and then those filters that are better physical then in post.

Thanks for your valuable input and feedback.

Tom Hardwick · April 20th, 2009, 01:40 AM

Gene - it's a Bolex Aspheron - bought at the Swiss factory for about £450. Here it is on the V1.

Gene Gajewski · April 23rd, 2009, 09:22 PM

That's kind of what I expected. A fine lens and a good match for your camera, but overkill for an HC-1. For me it's a matter of value and function.

Simply put, if you can afford $900-1000 dollars for an adapter lens for a camera that costs not much more than that....you might want to consider investing in a higher grade of camera.

Had I gone with the .7x HD Raynox, there likely wouldn't be any discernable barrel effect, but I chose otherwise. I'd love to have a one of those Z's......I'm drooling here.

That said, being a hobbyist, I'm really happy with the HC-1. Its a great camera and still holds it's own against many of the later 'consumer' HDV models.

Got to agree with you though - barrell distortion just about ruins architechtural shots. I don't use the wideangle all that often, just when it's needed and make sense. I'd prefer not to use an adapter at all.

Now give me a camera with interchangable lenses and I'm in heaven.... what a joy it'd be to play with depth of focus....

-Gene-

John Cash · December 1st, 2009, 03:16 PM

Does the HD7000 come with adapter rings to fit an HC9 ? Im looking for a wide angle for my helicopter camera ship. Its coming down to the HD5050 vs the HD7000

Ron Little · September 6th, 2010, 10:20 AM

I have a wide angle converter that works well on the HC1 in new condition. The model # is VCL-HG0737Y. I used it on my HC1 until it was stolen. It is for sale on this forum.

April 20th, 2009, 01:40 AM	#17
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	Gene - it's a Bolex Aspheron - bought at the Swiss factory for about £450. Here it is on the V1. Attached Thumbnails

April 23rd, 2009, 09:22 PM	#18
Gene Gajewski Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Edgewood, NM Posts: 162	That's kind of what I expected. A fine lens and a good match for your camera, but overkill for an HC-1. For me it's a matter of value and function. Simply put, if you can afford $900-1000 dollars for an adapter lens for a camera that costs not much more than that....you might want to consider investing in a higher grade of camera. Had I gone with the .7x HD Raynox, there likely wouldn't be any discernable barrel effect, but I chose otherwise. I'd love to have a one of those Z's......I'm drooling here. That said, being a hobbyist, I'm really happy with the HC-1. Its a great camera and still holds it's own against many of the later 'consumer' HDV models. Got to agree with you though - barrell distortion just about ruins architechtural shots. I don't use the wideangle all that often, just when it's needed and make sense. I'd prefer not to use an adapter at all. Now give me a camera with interchangable lenses and I'm in heaven.... what a joy it'd be to play with depth of focus.... -Gene-

December 1st, 2009, 03:16 PM	#19
John Cash Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 253	Does the HD7000 come with adapter rings to fit an HC9 ? Im looking for a wide angle for my helicopter camera ship. Its coming down to the HD5050 vs the HD7000

September 6th, 2010, 10:20 AM	#20
Ron Little Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pensacola Fl. Posts: 627	I have a wide angle converter that works well on the HC1 in new condition. The model # is VCL-HG0737Y. I used it on my HC1 until it was stolen. It is for sale on this forum.