We have redesigned the EX series attachments as Sony has made their own unannounced changes to the lenses over time. These are changes that we have had to make as the native camera lens or issues with the camera have come to the surface that could not be seen in initial design. These are not recalls beyond the first recall but simple modifications to improve performance for select applications. The simple fact is that the EX series cameras lenses both have significant barrel distortion and latteral chromatic abberation that cannot be corrected optically. Some people have tried to offer apochromatic correction but this is incorrect for the EX series lens design and causes an upward flip in the image corners and other issues that were present in our very first version that nobody should own by this point due to recalls. That being said we feel that we have done the best with the limitations of this lens and given the maximum quality for an add-on attachment.

We offer the finest quality attachment available for the Sony EX series cameras. Our .75x is now in the MKII version with a wider rear element to prevent vignetting beyond tv safe and is the best version yet. Through June 30th 2010, this lens' list price is only $949. This means you can pick this lens up for less than ever at dvinfo sponsors. Probably around $800 or less.

The .6x can now be picked up for less than $300 but demonstrates the natural barrel distortion of the EX series cameras and not the best for interiors where vertical lines are evident and barrel distortion is more significant. The .75x is a better choice for interior shots.

Ryan Avery
Schneider Optics

I just posted a batch of photos showing comparisons between the various Century wide adapters. (I started a new thread, so here's the link: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-xdc...omparison.html)
I hope this will help answer some questions and give some perspective on the differences between these adapters. I have used Century products for nearly 20 years now, and would use nothing else when it comes to filters and adapters.

I recently bought a Red Eye 0.65x adaptor and then use the New Blue FX II plugins for FCP (also available for other NLE's) since it has an absolutely superb lens distortion correction filter. Unlike other plugins I tried the New Blue FX one doesn't lose much off the width of the picture, and it's fast at rendering too.

I'm trying to find a good CA correction filter too. I found one by a company called River Rock Studios, but it was last updated in 2004 and doesn't play nicely with the New Blue FX filter. A shame because it totally eliminated all CA from the adaptor.

The other plugin I have tried is by Core Melt. This does a good job of getting rid of CA, but nowhere near as good as the River Rock one and also has the nasty side effect that it desaturates the picture. So my quest goes on. DFT used to make one in the set of plugins called 55mm, but they don't sell them any more.

Re: Century Precision vs Sony VCL-EX0877
 

posted to the wrong thread

Re: Century Precision vs Sony VCL-EX0877
 

I'd love to see this wide angle adapter added to the mix for comparison.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/731865-REG/16x9_Inc_169_HDWC8X_77_169_HDWC8X_77_EXII_0_8x_Wide.html
I have it on my EX3 and could not be happier. Plus it's got a lens hood you can buy to fit!

Re: Century Precision vs Sony VCL-EX0877
 

Sorry, wrong thread. Please delete this post...
My new question is now here.