Raynox HDP-6000EX HD Wideangle converter

Tom Hardwick · April 21st, 2009, 09:42 AM

I'm not so sure it is a 'stupid Sony' situation Mike. The Fuji lens on the Z7 is of a whole lot different construction to the Minolta (sorry - Sony G) lens on the Z5 and the Zeiss lens on the Z1, such that although they have the same filter thread diameters, the depths of the threads have been used to determine what fits on what.

Rob Morse · April 21st, 2009, 10:23 AM

Just out of curiosity, would it screw into a lens filter mounted on the camera?

Luc De Wandel · April 22nd, 2009, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Paterson

I thought I had read something about the Sony WA not working so I did some checking - the Sony VCL-HG0872 does not fit the Z7. Same thread size but the thread isn't deep enough. The (optimistic) salesperson I spoke said "..it works fine, it just keeps falling off.." Stupid Sony. So the Raynox remains the only zoom through option I know of. It's actually lighter than the Sony, although it doesn't look it. I might get one if I can find a good price. Will report back if I do.

Thanks Mike, please let me know if you have one.

Luc De Wandel · May 6th, 2009, 12:35 AM

Well, I bought the Sony VCL-HG0872K wide conversion lens yesterday and it fits the Z7 perfectly. It comes with some kind of mattebox and it has a bayonet fitting. Th optical quality seems very good, from the first tests I ran yesterday. If I get a chance, I'll check if it also fits the Z5.

Alfred Plotzer · July 23rd, 2009, 11:32 PM

i have one on my z7 and it works perfect.

best regards from austria
fred

Luc De Wandel · July 27th, 2009, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luc De Wandel

Well, I bought the Sony VCL-HG0872K wide conversion lens yesterday and it fits the Z7 perfectly. It comes with some kind of mattebox and it has a bayonet fitting. Th optical quality seems very good, from the first tests I ran yesterday. If I get a chance, I'll check if it also fits the Z5.

Fits on both camera's indeed and results are very good; the lens is quite heavy though

Tom Hardwick · July 27th, 2009, 01:29 AM

It is indeed heavy and worst of all so bulky - with its petal hood it's not something that you'd keep in your pocket. Nicely coated, doesn't add too much barrel distortion (ouch) and is sharp all the way through. But for what? A pretty feeble 0.8x increase, turning a 35 mm into a 28 mm. Ho-hum.

Boyd Ostroff · July 27th, 2009, 01:42 PM

I read Adam Wilt's review of this lens recently: http://provideocoalition.com/index.p...r_for_hvr_z5u/

He indicates that it was designed specifically for the Z5 actually. I thought this was fascinating, and wonder if it would also apply to the Z7?

Quote:

The lens has the interesting side effect of correcting the Z5U’s worst optical attribute: a higher than normal amount of pincushion distortion through most of its zoom range.

Tom Hardwick · July 28th, 2009, 01:08 AM

Thanks for pointing me at such an interesting test of a wide-angle converter, Boyd. But although Sony's G lens pincushion distorts I don't find that an excuse for the converter to add some barrel distortion as correction. It is after all a wide-angle lens, and most people will be adding it for the increased fov coverage while at the same time (as Adam correctly points out) it is not without its side-effects.

So we've added a $1000, ½ kg lens that mildly widens the fov while adding to the barrel distortion and the flare. I hugely respect Adam's knowledge, experience and writing skills, but I did feel this review was written to make Sony smile.

Of course he's correct in that the lens is really designed to be attached at the start of the day and taken off at the end; a design for those that still want a 20x zoom but would rather have their focal lengths more balanced around the 'normal lens' position.

tom.

July 23rd, 2009, 11:32 PM	#20
Alfred Plotzer New Boot Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: vienna, austria Posts: 16	Wa i have one on my z7 and it works perfect. best regards from austria fred

April 21st, 2009, 09:42 AM	#16
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	I'm not so sure it is a 'stupid Sony' situation Mike. The Fuji lens on the Z7 is of a whole lot different construction to the Minolta (sorry - Sony G) lens on the Z5 and the Zeiss lens on the Z1, such that although they have the same filter thread diameters, the depths of the threads have been used to determine what fits on what.

April 21st, 2009, 10:23 AM	#17
Rob Morse Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 427	Just out of curiosity, would it screw into a lens filter mounted on the camera?

May 6th, 2009, 12:35 AM	#19
Luc De Wandel Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Knokke-Heist, Belgium Posts: 963	Well, I bought the Sony VCL-HG0872K wide conversion lens yesterday and it fits the Z7 perfectly. It comes with some kind of mattebox and it has a bayonet fitting. Th optical quality seems very good, from the first tests I ran yesterday. If I get a chance, I'll check if it also fits the Z5.

July 27th, 2009, 01:29 AM	#22
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	It is indeed heavy and worst of all so bulky - with its petal hood it's not something that you'd keep in your pocket. Nicely coated, doesn't add too much barrel distortion (ouch) and is sharp all the way through. But for what? A pretty feeble 0.8x increase, turning a 35 mm into a 28 mm. Ho-hum.

July 28th, 2009, 01:08 AM	#24
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	Thanks for pointing me at such an interesting test of a wide-angle converter, Boyd. But although Sony's G lens pincushion distorts I don't find that an excuse for the converter to add some barrel distortion as correction. It is after all a wide-angle lens, and most people will be adding it for the increased fov coverage while at the same time (as Adam correctly points out) it is not without its side-effects. So we've added a $1000, ½ kg lens that mildly widens the fov while adding to the barrel distortion and the flare. I hugely respect Adam's knowledge, experience and writing skills, but I did feel this review was written to make Sony smile. Of course he's correct in that the lens is really designed to be attached at the start of the day and taken off at the end; a design for those that still want a 20x zoom but would rather have their focal lengths more balanced around the 'normal lens' position. tom.