Schneider Optics 2.0 Tele-Converter Pics

BenB - many thanks for posting these pictures, as I've been seriously considering this converter. But I agree with PaPa - there is strong red/blue fringing well into a third of the image field. If that is due to the converter, that's one very expensive way to increase fringing.

And as Barry says, it's a monster of a converter. My concern is that the converter weighs 47oz - that's nearly half the weight of the entire HVX and about as much as a kitted out matte box. So my question to BenB is: aren't you worried about having that much weight hanging off the lens. You'd put a matte box of that weight on raills, wouldn't you?

thanks again for a great posting.
Tom
 
It's stable enough on the camera while on a tripod. But the literature that comes with it pretty much demands rails if you're in a moving situation. I have borrowed rails to support it, shoping around for my own set. I just threw it on the camera for the shot. And the 2.0x does come with a nice adjustable rail support adapter.

The fringing you see is not really there. It's a mixture of the actual colors it shot, and my not really giving a crap about setting the white balance at that moment. I took stills with a Canon Rebel XT right next to it to compare. Both images are pretty much the same.

It is heavy, and no, I don't shoot without my rails on it. Bear in mind this was not set up to test it for color. I have done a serious shoot with it, and the color and fringing y'all think you're seeing really is just my poor camera work in these photos. I just threw it on to test the magnification, not anything else. When you seriously set it up, as you would on a serious shoot, it's fantastic.
 
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BenB said:
It's far from perfect, but it does give a pretty picture.
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Ben- Thanks for the review. The ipod comparison vid was useful in making my decision too, I just ordered one thru Travis at ZGC.
 
I LOVE my 2x Schneider lens. It is the reason I will be selling my DSR-500 soon.

It IS a HEAVY beast, and I will DEFINITELY be using rails and the adapter that came with it.
 
Does anyone have both the 1.6x and the 2.0x I am trying to find out if the 2.x is the same size lens opening as the 1.6x. I have the 1.6 now and want to see if my roto pola will fit on the newer 2.0

thanks...
 
Anyone recommend a half decent 3x Tele-Converter for an HVX?

I need a lot of zoom length to make it worth my while capturing surf footage here on the Gold Coast, with a place like the Superbank.

Edit: deleted edit
 
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There's only a 2x.
No one makes a 3x,
as far as I can find...

I recommend a chase boat of some appropriate kind, a CineSaddle/DV Multi Rig Pro, or some such support system from any of the reputable suppliers, and a professional water proof housing.

I do shots from boats a LOT here in southeast Louisiana, so I figure I'd chime in.

Surfing footage, what I wouldn't give to be taking that...
 
Thanks for the feedback Ben. If I am desperate, I can get a 3x polished coke bottle end that really is not going to cut it, and the mounting thread is usually in the 37-46mm range, so the barrel vignette would take full zoom to overcome, if at all. I had a 3x tele for some DV camera's in the past, however, they did suffer with the full zoom requirement and chromatic abberation. The 2x Schneider might be my best bet for now, as you kindly shared info on in this thread. I have some other options for trial with the Brevis in due course, getting me up to the 1500mm range.

As for chase boat, we use jet-ski's to tow into, yet I prefer to do what is called 'step-offs'. No rope, just position the ski as the wave forms, jump off the side and the ski (with driver) continues out in front and the driver observes your ride. With a three person setup, and this method requires a tow rope, the ski has a camera person sitting on the seat behind the driver, sitting backwards, holding a housing/camera and records the ride. I have been out at the Superbank a few times and seen this setup, thought about doing it, however, when the surf is that good, I just want to surf.

If you are really lucky, like I was one day (shameless plug), you can have a helicopter fly over with a panoramic film camera setup and have your photo taken while you are surfing. :D
Link 1
Link 2
 
Thanks for posting this... This is on my short list of accessories. I think you might have convinced me to get the 1.6 as I shoot a bunch of things that I need the reach.. but also need to have some of the zoom range... I hadn't thought about the rails though as this is a run and gun shoot. Might have to invest in that... I also know that it's what I need for the shoots I do compared to a 35mm adapter.. That kind of focus pulling wouldn't be good on a racetrack...
 
soarprod said:
I am a big fan of the 1.6 when it comes to CA / purple fringing.
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Note that the purple fringing is there even in the shot without the lens. It's the color of the shed, I swear it is. My Canon Rebel XT gets that coloring from that shed, too.

Also note that in the photo of the lens on the camera, everything from the middle of the lens on forward is empty matte box. Notice where the screw secures it to the lens.
 
Christopher Barry said:
Anyone recommend a half decent 3x Tele-Converter for an HVX?

I need a lot of zoom length to make it worth my while capturing surf footage here on the Gold Coast, with a place like the Superbank.

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Hey Christopher,
Forget pussy footing around with telephotos, just get down in there amongst it. If you really want to get some close up action shots try this.:beer:
http://ewa-marine.com/english/index.htm
 
ozduc said:
Hey Christopher,
Forget pussy footing around with telephotos, just get down in there amongst it. If you really want to get some close up action shots try this.:beer:
http://ewa-marine.com/english/index.htm
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hi ozduc. Yeah, the EWA prod is handy. I have a bag for a DV camera. Problem is, over the years, all my DV cameras have been stolen, grrr.

Since my post, for laughs and giggles, I have chained together enough glass coke bottle products to make a 1500mm zoom on the HVX. 3x tele converter nikon mount (Soligar) and a no name 50-500mm lens, coupled with the Brevis (Brevis - the only decent glass in the line). With that monster mounted, the Cartoni Focus plastic tripod plate has a lot of wobble, even with 1 kg counter weight attached to the rails behind the camera. Ordered a replacement plate for another Cartoni, hoping it is metal. I have not really tested this freak show setup, beyond out the house window. It's got CA written all over it... :D

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Dirk Diggler's .... let's not go there.

Ditching the tripod and putting that thing on my shoulder, if the police saw me in a public place, they would probably just shoot to kill (me).

Ben, your review product, the Schneider Optics 2.0 Tele-Converter, is the likely solution for me in the coming months, thanks for the post. If only it had 1x more, hehe. 2x will have to do.
 
I need to shoot speakers from about 90 ft away and still get a good medium shot for of the presenter. Will the 2.0 teleconvertor work with my HVX200 to produce that?
 
I dunno, look at the photos, dowload the video, I have no idea what ninety feet would be. I may go mesure that barn from where I shot, now that you got me thinking...
 
I wonder if someone could make a 3x converter by using the 82mm threads. I remeber Disjecta once wrote he used an old SONY 2x adapter on the DVX with a 72mm-to-somthing stepdown ring. Since you won´t zoom with these adapters anyway vignetting of a stepdown shouldn´t be much of a problem. The question is which lens we could use.
 
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