Is AG-LA7200G 16:9 adaptor fully zoomable?

frank

frank

Member
Is the Panasonic AG-LA7200G 16:9 adaptor able to maintain a sharp image through the entire zoom range of the camera? Other 16:9 adaptors on other cameras such as the Century Optics widescreen adaptor are unable to resolve the image. It distorts if you zoom too far. Anyone with the Panasonic adaptor care to comment? Also do you gain any extra wide angle with the AG-LA7200G connected to the front of the camera?
Many Thanks...
 
Re: Is AG-LA7200G 16:9 adaptor fully zoomable?

I'd also like to add a question to the above question.....If your shooting with the 16:9 lens, and you don't have a monitor that can show you a 16:9 (widescreen) image...is there some sort of attachment you can add to the LCD so you can see your 16:9 image the proper way...?

BTW, I am days to weeks away from Buying a DVX100a...I want to shoot in 16:9 exclusively and plan on buying the 16:9 lens that Panasonic makes for the camera, but what's perplexed me is that the LCD in the camera, will not give you a NORMAL picture if your shooting with the 16;9 lens on it. It will not give you a true widescreen image it will give you the anamorphic image within the LCD...I want to see how it would look properly for composing the shot and such...

Bottom line, I don't want to drag a monitor to the field. Is there an attachment for the eyepiece or the LCD? many thanks...

Pete
 
Re: Is AG-LA7200G 16:9 adaptor fully zoomable?

In response to Frank's question, yes. Although I've never used the Century Optics 16:9 adapter. I have and extensively use the Panasonic adapter lens and I think it works great. It's gotten a lot of criticism, though. People say it's just a piece of plastic and glass, but then again, isn't that the essence of a lens? Bottom line, it's a great piece of equipment and the image does stay nicely in focus when zooming through. Also, there is a significant widening of the image and if you're looking for that effect, it's pretty useful (it looks good, too).

To answer Pete's question, Century Optics has been saying they are in development of an eyepiece adapter that will show a true un-squeezed anamorphic picture. It's been about four months since I last heard anything about it, but check it out. As for the LCD screen, there's really nothing right now that will correct the squeezed image you see in it. So the only optiion would be to drag a monitor out in the field (which is what I do, it's 16:9 switchable) or wait for Century Optics to come out with their viewfinder adapter, which will undoubtedly not be cheap.

Hope that helps!
 
Re: Is AG-LA7200G 16:9 adaptor fully zoomable?

Century Optics makes one for the viewfinder. It's out saw it at the DV Expo. And Century Precision makes one for the LCD #DSCWS00 You can buy it at B+H Photo according to StreetPrices.com 8)
 
Re: Is AG-LA7200G 16:9 adaptor fully zoomable?

Thanks for help ccdemon. It answers a lot of questions I had about the adaptor :)
 
Re: Is AG-LA7200G 16:9 adaptor fully zoomable?

I contacted century optics about their anamorphic adapter and they said that they are in prototyping of another unit. The one that they made they said it did not meet up to their standards. They said at earliest it would be out by NAB, but that was only the full function prototype. Production model would be even further away.
 
Re: Is AG-LA7200G 16:9 adaptor fully zoomable?

Many Thanks for the reply Folks. I guess I'm just gonna have to fork over some more cash to BUY a 16:9 monitor so I have one to take out into the field with me. However, If your shooting a doc, running out and about on the streets, and you have this anamorphic lens on the camera, I have this sneaky suspician that it's gonna be hard to shoot with. (Can't drag a monitor into the street with you) The thought of not being able to see your image in true widescreen in the viewfinder makes me shake my head. I wished the Camera's LCD would sqeeze the bottom and top of the picture so I could see what it'll look like in wide screen.

I like this forum, you'll be seeing more of me in the future..

BTW, Has anybody modified an old Monitor so it can show a 16:9 image???

Cheers!

Pete
 
Re: Is AG-LA7200G 16:9 adaptor fully zoomable?

Hey Pete, I hear with just a little practice you get used to the scweezed image. With no addapter 8)
 
Re: Is AG-LA7200G 16:9 adaptor fully zoomable?

[quote author=frank link=board=Links;num=1073941264;start=0#0 date=01/12/04 at 13:01:04]Is the Panasonic AG-LA7200G 16:9 adaptor able to maintain a sharp image through the entire zoom range of the camera? [/quote]

My vote is no. Above Z90 the astigmatism gets pretty difficult to control. Although you technically can zoom all the way through, there's a noticeable dropoff in sharpness above about Z90. So, stick to Z10 through Z90 and you'll be fine.

Also do you gain any extra  wide angle with the AG-LA7200G connected to the front of the camera?
Click to expand...

Yes, it gives you a 33% wider field of view, like having a .7 wide-angle lens on (but only in the horizontal direction, of course).
 
Re: Is AG-LA7200G 16:9 adaptor fully zoomable?

Hi Guys,

I'd like to add another question to the questions above,is the glass of the AG-LA7200G 16:9 adaptor made by Leica too? Thanks.
 
Re: Is AG-LA7200G 16:9 adaptor fully zoomable?

wouldnt a 16:9 lcd monitor do the trick, saw them at bh starting around 300. might not work for focus but should give you an unsqueezed image.
 
Re: Is AG-LA7200G 16:9 adaptor fully zoomable?

Actually if im not mistaken the 16:9 adapter is actually made by Optex. And NYCgrip, you are right, using a 16:9 monitor is the best solution for this, although its not a very portable solution.
 
Re: Is AG-LA7200G 16:9 adaptor fully zoomable?

I just got 100a and Panasonic Anamorphic. I shoot outdoor action based content, mostly whitewater Kayaking and have no option to take a monitor. Have been practising shooting with camera and focus seems to hold through most of the zoom path.

Squeezed image is strange, but after watching some footage you can get a good idea of what you will get.

Hanging on without a monitor,

Daniel
 
Re: Is AG-LA7200G 16:9 adaptor fully zoomable?

Thanks for your feedback Daniel. Post some footage when you get the chance. Would be very keen to see it.
 
Re: Is AG-LA7200G 16:9 adaptor fully zoomable?

for a while i used a portable dvd player as a monitor when out and about, and it works great for compositional needs, but after a while you get really used to framing in the lcd anyway.. or you could use a laptop and the firewire port to see what your looking at in 16:9 full res(although its a plasma or lcd monitor,its still pretty good for focusing and framing..+ you can capture tapeless if you wanted on alot of shots)..but really it dosent take long to get used to the lcd, ..of course a nice feild 16:9 crt would be best.
 
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