HMC40 + Wide Angle Adapter question...

Jason Allen

Jason Allen

Well-known member
Well, I've found a few interesting reads on the few options we have for wide-angle on the HMC40 like this here:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=196675
...but nothing that was a very definitive answer on what's recommended.

I'm looking for a reasonably priced (sub-$200) WA adapter to get roughly a 28mm lens's angle of view on the HMC-40. I don't care much about distortion on the edges (not shooting architecture with this rig, just steadicamming outdoor wedding footage). I'm mostly concerned that there isn't heavy color fringing and chromatic aberration. Also, ideally, there needs to be a filter thread on the front of the adapter, so that I can use my already-owned-for-photography Nikon circular polarizing filter (77mm CPL-II) to make blue skies POP!

It sounds like with that criteria in mind, I'll want to go with the Century 0.5x or the Raynox 0.66x WA adapters, right? Please correct me if I'm wrong! Between those, which would you recommend?

Thanks HMC40 users!
 
There have been a couple of threads on this. Seems like the Century models have some issues, especially the edges on the 0.65. There were photos posted for the 0.5 which showed a bunch of distortion which would be natural for something that wide. The Panny seems to have good reports on the optics, but no filter threads. How dumb is that; wide angle outside and no polarizer??? I would be very curious about the Raynox optics if it has threads.

Grant
 
I would like to see comparisons similar to my Century 0.65x done with the Panasonic and Raynox. It's so hard to choose when there is so little info out there. My Century was supposed to have "edge to edge sharpness"!!
 
The Century 0.5x and 0.65x seems to have soft corners. It worse when wide open and gets better as the lens is stopped down. With the Century adapters, it's best to shoot at the widest possible angle. While zooming into the image is possible up to 50% zoom, the corners become even softer. Still, I find the Century to be reasonably good for what I'm doing.

I've hardly heard anything on the Raynox Adapters, so I can't say much about them.

The Panasonic 0.7x adapter is sharp throughout the whole zoom.



Bob Diaz
 
Grant: The Panasonic WA is DEFINITELY out b/c it lacks filter threads. That's a big no-no for what I'm shooting. (Outdoors in bright sunlight against blue skies without a polarizer? Not me!) Sadly, this one seems to offer the best performance. I might eventually get one in order to rubber-cement a filter step-up ring onto it... anyone know the diameter of the front element, or have the Panasonic adapter with a metric caliper handy?

The Century .65x is out b/c it's overpriced for the quality (or lack thereof) I've seen from it... it looked like someone put vaseline on the edges of the lens.

Bob, which Century adapter do you have?

I think I'm likely going with the .5x Century. Zooming through doesn't matter to me, as I'll be using this at or near the widest setting. Soft edges and moderate distortion should be fine for what I'm using it for (Steadicam shots of walking/running subjects outdoors). Do any users of the Raynox .66x WA have anything to say about it before I pull the trigger on the .5x Century WA? Is anyone here using it on an HMC40? Thanks!
 
BobDiaz said:
On VIMEO I found a user that show their video with the Raynox 52mm 0.66x super wide angle lens.

http://vimeo.com/13838802

I asked what he thought of the lens..... I hope he answers soon.


Bob Diaz
Click to expand...
For the price, I have been very happy with the Raynox 52mm, 0.66x lens. The only time that I was displeased with the quality of the video was when I filmed an indoor graduation. The images were not "sharp" and there was fringing on the edges. Since I was back quite a ways from the podium, halfway through the graduation I removed the Raynox lens; the footage with just the Panny lens was much sharper. Sorry, I haven't posted the graduation footage on line yet.

I have not noticed a lot of difference when I have filmed outside in good light.
 
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