Wide Angle Converter Lens for Sony HVR Z7 Lens

lemontree · 17th April 2009

Does anyone of you know what are the options available for wide angle lenses for Sony HVR Z7P camera?

Strangely, Sony doesn't seem to offer wide angle converters for Sony Z7. Correct me if I'm wrong but all they seem to have is a $3k plus Sony Carl-Zeiss wide angle lens. That's too hefty for me.

Century Optics have 0.75x converters for $1600 plus and Raynox hv their 0.79x 6000EX lconverters lenses for $700 plus. lolx...why such a difference? anyone can tell?

Does anyone know where else or which other agent(s) carry 0.8x converters for HVR-Z7?

Also, is it true that adapters may cause vignette while converters won't?

Thanks guys! Appreciate it if anyone can share their takes on these stuffs.

engr · 17th April 2009

Wide lens can cuz vignetting depending on the mag factor and zoom position. Some can have no effect thru the entire zoom range, at the expense of maybe a small magnification of 0.2x.

The price diff is due to the optics. Raynox has more glass in there, making the lens pretty heavy compared to Century. Its an engineering trade off. Depends on what you are looking for. I owned a Raynox b4 and would say it is a good company. Only thing the weight can be a killer.

jaegersing · 17th April 2009

I bought a Raynox 0.79x for my XH-A1. The CA is not very nice at all, puts me off using it unless I really really need the wide angle.

lemontree · 23rd April 2009

looks like Raynox is not so good after all. I've got recommendations for Century Optics or known as Schneider now after their merger. What do you guys think? Century or Raynox?

Also, correct me if I'm wrong, is 0.8x wider than 0.2x?

engr · 23rd April 2009

There were reports of issues with the EX1 wide lens from century. I'm not sure of the z7 thou. Google to see if u get any feedback.

17th April 2009	#1
lemontree Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woodlands, Singapore Posts: 667	Wide Angle Converter Lens for Sony HVR Z7 Lens Does anyone of you know what are the options available for wide angle lenses for Sony HVR Z7P camera? Strangely, Sony doesn't seem to offer wide angle converters for Sony Z7. Correct me if I'm wrong but all they seem to have is a $3k plus Sony Carl-Zeiss wide angle lens. That's too hefty for me. Century Optics have 0.75x converters for $1600 plus and Raynox hv their 0.79x 6000EX lconverters lenses for $700 plus. lolx...why such a difference? anyone can tell? Does anyone know where else or which other agent(s) carry 0.8x converters for HVR-Z7? Also, is it true that adapters may cause vignette while converters won't? Thanks guys! Appreciate it if anyone can share their takes on these stuffs.

17th April 2009	#2
engr Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Central Posts: 802	Re: Wide Angle Converter Lens for Sony HVR Z7 Lens Wide lens can cuz vignetting depending on the mag factor and zoom position. Some can have no effect thru the entire zoom range, at the expense of maybe a small magnification of 0.2x. The price diff is due to the optics. Raynox has more glass in there, making the lens pretty heavy compared to Century. Its an engineering trade off. Depends on what you are looking for. I owned a Raynox b4 and would say it is a good company. Only thing the weight can be a killer.

17th April 2009	#3
jaegersing Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,142	Re: Wide Angle Converter Lens for Sony HVR Z7 Lens I bought a Raynox 0.79x for my XH-A1. The CA is not very nice at all, puts me off using it unless I really really need the wide angle.

23rd April 2009	#4
lemontree Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woodlands, Singapore Posts: 667	Re: Wide Angle Converter Lens for Sony HVR Z7 Lens looks like Raynox is not so good after all. I've got recommendations for Century Optics or known as Schneider now after their merger. What do you guys think? Century or Raynox? Also, correct me if I'm wrong, is 0.8x wider than 0.2x?

23rd April 2009	#5
engr Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Central Posts: 802	Re: Wide Angle Converter Lens for Sony HVR Z7 Lens There were reports of issues with the EX1 wide lens from century. I'm not sure of the z7 thou. Google to see if u get any feedback. Last edited by engr; 23rd April 2009 at 11:55 PM.