cestovatelcasem
03-12-2012, 02:57 PM
Hi,
I'm sorry to be new to this forum, but just read tons of forums comments and interesting reviews here :)
Last year I bought Panasonic AG-HMC41E camera and tried to increase zoom to max with add-on teleconversion lens, as high-quality as possible (price didn't matter) fitted directly to Panas. atypical 43mm ring diameter of this lightweight camera. Up to now I have found no such camera&lens combinations reviewed over the world..
After month of digging into all available boards, reviews servers, even japanese test servers etc. I've found only one teleconversion which is generally considered to be better quality lenses, farthest zoom-distance than 1,4 or 1,7x, lower-light loss and without annoying step-ups or downs. I've choosed best available $465 Zunow THC19 1,9x 43/37mm in my country - japanese allegedly best teleconversion lens. My primary goal to test was:
1) whether such teleconversion will be without any vignettings or even huge "dark corners" due to incompatibilities or not proper installation onto AG-HCM41,
2) whether it will have at least "still acceptable" blurr esp. in corners, noise etc.
3) whether it will be "partly zoom-through" or "fully zoom-through" as Zunow somewhere claimed towards wide Zunow WHC-06 here http://www.blk.gr/viewProductDetailsBasketSmallb.php?id=4215&product=Lens Zunow WHC-06 ... and If so, than with what results concerning to AUTOfocus loosing issue under low and day light conditions.
I set: 1080/25p (max.quality PH mode), shutter=1/25, focus=auto, OIS=on, IRIS=auto, unfortunatelly without tripod.
Although I must confess it was very good mechanicly enginered part of japanese high/grade optics, with many possible attachements. But I was rather very disappointed when I connected Zunow to my AG-HMC41E. It seemed me that this type of so called "mini or micro" Zunow lens are either for semi-profi cameras like Sony HXR-NX70U or best consumer-only cameras equipped with 37mm ring.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fx3dR-7_g8 (one posted video, I`m sorry again for "raw" video data resulted from generall test due to no free time to edit video and insert sound at all precisely...)
After 2 days of intensive tests new Zunow I made followed conclusions:
Pos.: very good mechanical build, full zoom-through on HMC41, low light-loss, good fitting to Panasonic 43mm even throught necessary 37-43mm adapter,
Cons: weight 350g without rubber hood, dark blind corners in default zoom on HMC41, a bit blurry corners in max. 1,9x zoom (more detectable on still photos than on vid.), HMC41 looses autofocus in cca 2/3 zoom range when zooming through under *low* lights (adjustable by manual focus), too small front glass not recommended for 43mm, strictly measured rather 1,8x than claimed 1,9x.
Conclusion: mechanically high-grade multi-lens teleconversion, but not recommended for enthusiasts owning semi-professional Panasonic AG-HMC41 due to less than perfect *optical* compatibility with AG-HMC4x and with regard to high $465 price. Thus probably better suitable for smaller 37mm ring-diameter semiprofi cameras like Sony HXR-NX70U or top consumer-grade cameras with smaller lenses rounded by 37mm ring? :Drogar-Mark-07(DBG)
Cheaper substitutes: Panasonic VW-T4314HPPK 1,4x, Canon TL-H43 1,7x etc. seems to me like more "optical compatible" to Panasonic AG-HMC41 than many far more more expensive teleconversion lenses, even if they are not equipped with rings for hoods or even if they have not so great zoom-distance like 1,9x THC-19..
What do you say towards quality of these "micro/mini" Zunows? Could original stock Panasonic VW-T4314HPPK have better results than Zunow?
I will appreciate any of your answers.
Cestovatelcasem (eng transl.: timetraveller :)
I'm sorry to be new to this forum, but just read tons of forums comments and interesting reviews here :)
Last year I bought Panasonic AG-HMC41E camera and tried to increase zoom to max with add-on teleconversion lens, as high-quality as possible (price didn't matter) fitted directly to Panas. atypical 43mm ring diameter of this lightweight camera. Up to now I have found no such camera&lens combinations reviewed over the world..
After month of digging into all available boards, reviews servers, even japanese test servers etc. I've found only one teleconversion which is generally considered to be better quality lenses, farthest zoom-distance than 1,4 or 1,7x, lower-light loss and without annoying step-ups or downs. I've choosed best available $465 Zunow THC19 1,9x 43/37mm in my country - japanese allegedly best teleconversion lens. My primary goal to test was:
1) whether such teleconversion will be without any vignettings or even huge "dark corners" due to incompatibilities or not proper installation onto AG-HCM41,
2) whether it will have at least "still acceptable" blurr esp. in corners, noise etc.
3) whether it will be "partly zoom-through" or "fully zoom-through" as Zunow somewhere claimed towards wide Zunow WHC-06 here http://www.blk.gr/viewProductDetailsBasketSmallb.php?id=4215&product=Lens Zunow WHC-06 ... and If so, than with what results concerning to AUTOfocus loosing issue under low and day light conditions.
I set: 1080/25p (max.quality PH mode), shutter=1/25, focus=auto, OIS=on, IRIS=auto, unfortunatelly without tripod.
Although I must confess it was very good mechanicly enginered part of japanese high/grade optics, with many possible attachements. But I was rather very disappointed when I connected Zunow to my AG-HMC41E. It seemed me that this type of so called "mini or micro" Zunow lens are either for semi-profi cameras like Sony HXR-NX70U or best consumer-only cameras equipped with 37mm ring.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fx3dR-7_g8 (one posted video, I`m sorry again for "raw" video data resulted from generall test due to no free time to edit video and insert sound at all precisely...)
After 2 days of intensive tests new Zunow I made followed conclusions:
Pos.: very good mechanical build, full zoom-through on HMC41, low light-loss, good fitting to Panasonic 43mm even throught necessary 37-43mm adapter,
Cons: weight 350g without rubber hood, dark blind corners in default zoom on HMC41, a bit blurry corners in max. 1,9x zoom (more detectable on still photos than on vid.), HMC41 looses autofocus in cca 2/3 zoom range when zooming through under *low* lights (adjustable by manual focus), too small front glass not recommended for 43mm, strictly measured rather 1,8x than claimed 1,9x.
Conclusion: mechanically high-grade multi-lens teleconversion, but not recommended for enthusiasts owning semi-professional Panasonic AG-HMC41 due to less than perfect *optical* compatibility with AG-HMC4x and with regard to high $465 price. Thus probably better suitable for smaller 37mm ring-diameter semiprofi cameras like Sony HXR-NX70U or top consumer-grade cameras with smaller lenses rounded by 37mm ring? :Drogar-Mark-07(DBG)
Cheaper substitutes: Panasonic VW-T4314HPPK 1,4x, Canon TL-H43 1,7x etc. seems to me like more "optical compatible" to Panasonic AG-HMC41 than many far more more expensive teleconversion lenses, even if they are not equipped with rings for hoods or even if they have not so great zoom-distance like 1,9x THC-19..
What do you say towards quality of these "micro/mini" Zunows? Could original stock Panasonic VW-T4314HPPK have better results than Zunow?
I will appreciate any of your answers.
Cestovatelcasem (eng transl.: timetraveller :)