Century Optics .6 Wide Angle Lens Test

S

steadicamsteel

Guest
Just received the .6 and will be doing some tests tomorrow. Will post some stills of the results as soon as I can, to give everyone an indication of how much barrel distortion there is when attached to the HVX.

Rich
 
steadicamsteel said:
Just received the .6 and will be doing some tests tomorrow. Will post some stills of the results as soon as I can, to give everyone an indication of how much barrel distortion there is when attached to the HVX.

Rich
Click to expand...

Sounds good. I'll be waiting!!!!! :)
 
You don't happen to have a 16x9 mattebox to test with do you rich? i'm going to be using the superfisheye or the .6 on a shoot in 2 weeks and am curious to see how much vignetting i should expect.
 
OK, Quick test has been done and the results can be seen as a couple of stills on my website. If you click on the "LENS TEST" link that will take you to the before and after images.

I do happen to have a 16x9 Matte Box, its a Vocas350 (one of the widest available) and from what I've tried you ain't gonna use any Matte Box with this Wide Angle Attachement.

www.steadicams.com
 
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Just happened to move the tripod back 1ft and hey presto pretty much the same (if not more) frame edges to the .6 adaptor and of course without the distortion.

Hmmmmm.....I think I'll be returning the unit.
 
I dont think you test is is using the best shot possible to show what the lens can do - you are losing the outside of the frame because of the walls on the sides of the window - since the adapter increases the angle of view it will be more pronounced the further away the subject is from the camera.

If you perform this test outside or on a aubject much further from the camera my bet is that you will have to move much farther back then 1 foot to match the subject size. Its a .6 adapter so it increases the angle of view proportionally to the distance from the lens.

try it and see -

also - 1 foot can be a lot to have to walk back in a tight set - so it can still be handy - we used it very often on our feature shoot - yes there is barrel distortion so you need to build that into the aesthetic of the shot
 
I agree with the need for further testing! :)

How will the angle of view be at 15' and 25'? How far would you have to push back for that to look the same without the 0.6 adapter. And will the distortion be as great. Inquiring minds want to know.
 
This is very interesting, I have the .6 and 1.7 in my basket at B@H. Was thinking of buying them this week but might just hold on until I hear a little more on them. Just wondering if you guys think Century Optics are the best wide and telephoto's out there; or what the alternatives are ?
 
OK, I've just re-unpacked the .6 before I shipped it back and went outside on a very dull and wet day and fired of a quick 10 seconds of footage. Apologies for the exposure and focus but supper has just been called and didn't want to linger outside very long.

Again, go to the website and click on lens test. You'll see a further 3 images. The last of the new 3 images I had to move the camera back 4' to get a similiar shot.

Agreed, 4' is alot when you don't have the space but to be honest I really think the HVX has a wide enough lens for what I want to achieve and as such will still be sending the adaptor back.

I'll conduct a better outdoor test tomorrow when there's better light etc and post the results for you all to see.

Now if I could only afford the Arri R8 Ultra prime (it's only 20,000 euro) , now we're talking wider than Jimmy McWide from Wide town.....thats pretty wide by the way.

Rich
 
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Ray
We at Century worked with Panasonic to ensure that the .75x has no more distortion than the original zoom lens. As you might have noticed, Panasonic does not offer WA or tele adapters, but recommends our adapters now.
I'm not sure where you can see a .75x in Ireland (Ortus in London is our closest dist.), but I think you will be impressed (unbiased opinion).
Ken Robings
Schneider Optics
 
Thanks Ken !! I have been looking at various alternatives for the last few months and unfortunately have received little posts and feedback from HVX users using the century for dramatic work and DOF; which is what I'm really looking for. I have opted for the Brevis 35mm adaptor for working with DOF and will be ordering it shortly, thanks again for you post, Best Regards.
 
The .6 wide angle adapter gives the DVX the 35mm equivalent of a 20 mm lens. So yes there will be some distortion since it is not a rectilinear lens. It is simply a lens adapter. However, using it skillfully will result in some very breathtaking shots. Remember it is not the equipment that makes a film, but the skill of the person behind the camera.
 
Even though the lens on the HVX is pretty wide, I bought the Century zoom through .75x adapter and am extremely happy with it. Nice glass, great product and a discernable difference in your field of view. The only downside is the additional weight when using it handheld.
 
Hi! just wondering if anybody has some DOF examples using either of the century lenses or any samples using 24/25p ?
I would love to see what the lenses are capable of before I purchase the Brevis.
 
I have the .6 for my DVX and find it useful on occasion and am glad to have it in the kit.

There is considerable barrel distortion, but this is not automatically a negative in my book, it is an effect I can use if I choose to.

The .75 is more expensive, not as wide BUT is far more rectilinear and serves yet another purpose. One day I'd like to have one.
 
Hi Guys thanks for the posts, unfortunatly alex that is not my house but Richards, mine is not quiet as rural, althought I hope to have a nice house like that in the country or by the sea one day. You gota have a dream !!
Anyway I was just wondering if you guys think it would be better to purchase the Brevis and a set of lenses before looking at the Century adaptors. I was all set on the Brevis but am not not so sure ; I have not seen any footage from the Century but have seen 35mm adaptor footage. A few pictures would help me decide. Cheers !!
 
Ray, the Century adapters are not 35mm adapter substitutes. You are almost comparing oranges to apples.... well oranges to grapefruits. Yes century adapters will allow you to have more telephoto or wide angle capabilities, but they are much different then a 35mm adapter. I guess it all depends on the results you are looking for. What results are you looking to achieve?
 
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