Review of the Sony Close Up Lens VCL-3358

snowspeeder · 24th June 2004

All this time I've had a Hoya +4. And today managed to get my hands on the Close Up lens VCL-3358. So I thought it would be good to do a comparision since little is known about sony's "mysterious' close up lens.

When using the Hoya +4, a sharp image of the subject could be derived at at focusing distance of about 15 cm (estimation only) while setting the zoom to 200mm (max.). Using the same setting with Sony's Close Up lens, the distance between the lens and the subject has to be about 30 (or 33 cm).

Comparing the 2 images taken, my initial findings would suggest the following:
1) The image taken with the Hoya lens has larger magnification compared to the sony's -- probably about 20% or so.
2) Picture quality wise, seems that the image taken with sony's lens is slightly better (just my personal opinion, yet to test it out extensively).

I've also tried using both the lenses. It does not work. All I saw were very blurry images despite standing at varying distances from the subject.

Hence, based on the above findings, I think if I'm taking a close up image of a stationary object, then the hoya would suffice. However, if the intended subject is an insect that would run or fly away when I'm too close, the sony close up lens would be my choice.

Till date, I've yet to test the sony's teleconverter (VCL-HGD1758). Read somewhere that this item could be combined with the close up lens. From another read, someone even suggested combining it with the hoya +4. I wonder how the combination of the 3 lenses would work since my earlier attempt on the 2 close up lenses derived a negative result. Perhaps I may be wrong. Anyone else with actual experiences? Pls share.

Del_CtrlnoAlt · 25th June 2004

i think for the +4 & close up together, the range is beyond the focus range of the F828... just guessing...

oh ya OT abit... u bo jio ar... go buy this filter never let us know... any more stock? wats the price?

snowspeeder · 25th June 2004

Originally Posted by Del_CtrlnoAlt

i think for the +4 & close up together, the range is beyond the focus range of the F828... just guessing...

oh ya OT abit... u bo jio ar... go buy this filter never let us know... any more stock? wats the price?

It was an impulsive purchase. Saw a piece at sony gallery but did not want to pay the full price. So called my friend who happen to managed to only get a piece. Only slightly cheaper, but not much.

The +4 and the close up combined is beyond the focusing range of the 828. But how come there was a claim sometime ago with this uesr who used both the lenses in addition to the teleconverter? Would the range be viewable by then? This remains a mystery.

phantasia · 25th June 2004

Hi tho i'm not exactly sure, but i think they can be combined. The di-opter ratings of the two lenses will be added 2geder if put 2geder. Think the sony has a diopter rating of 3, since its focusing distance is 33cm.

Focussing distance is calculated by 100/diopter rating...so for the +4 hoya, focussing distance should be about 25cm +-. By putting the two 2geder, diopter becomes +7, so focussing distance is bout 15cm?

You can get greater magnification with a teleconverter, since at the same focussing distance, a greater zoom lense will result in a more magnified image.

Hope this helps.

snowspeeder · 25th June 2004

Originally Posted by phantasia

Hi tho i'm not exactly sure, but i think they can be combined. The di-opter ratings of the two lenses will be added 2geder if put 2geder. Think the sony has a diopter rating of 3, since its focusing distance is 33cm.

Focussing distance is calculated by 100/diopter rating...so for the +4 hoya, focussing distance should be about 25cm +-. By putting the two 2geder, diopter becomes +7, so focussing distance is bout 15cm?

You can get greater magnification with a teleconverter, since at the same focussing distance, a greater zoom lense will result in a more magnified image.

Hope this helps.

Yes, I'm quite sure that with the teleconverter, the impact will be even better. But with just the 2 lenses combined (hoya and sony close up) didn't seem to work even at 15 cm.

snowspeeder · 27th June 2004

Went to the Orchid Garden yesterday with King Tiger and Rexus. It was a great trip though the weather was cloudy. I had the chance to put to test the Sony Close Up Lens. I felt that it was a somewhat difficult to take shots with the lens as it requires a fixed distance between the lens and the subject. Hence a lot of adjustment was needed. Probably this was my first time playing with it, so a lot more practice would be necessary to develop my skill in this area. Here're some of the images taken:

http://homepage.mac.com/lundywong/Dr...oAlbum129.html

King Tiger · 28th June 2004

Hi Snowspeeder

I have forgotten to ask you that day, how much you bought for your close up lenses?

snowspeeder · 28th June 2004

Originally Posted by King Tiger

Hi Snowspeeder

I have forgotten to ask you that day, how much you bought for your close up lenses?

Not too good a price. Got it at $115. Only 5 lousy bucks cheaper than the retail.

King Tiger · 29th June 2004

Originally Posted by snowspeeder

Not too good a price. Got it at $115. Only 5 lousy bucks cheaper than the retail.

Thank Snowspeeder, seem that the price are usually fix around this range.

24th June 2004	#1
snowspeeder Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: 35A East Coast Rd Posts: 3,436	Review of the Sony Close Up Lens VCL-3358 All this time I've had a Hoya +4. And today managed to get my hands on the Close Up lens VCL-3358. So I thought it would be good to do a comparision since little is known about sony's "mysterious' close up lens. When using the Hoya +4, a sharp image of the subject could be derived at at focusing distance of about 15 cm (estimation only) while setting the zoom to 200mm (max.). Using the same setting with Sony's Close Up lens, the distance between the lens and the subject has to be about 30 (or 33 cm). Comparing the 2 images taken, my initial findings would suggest the following: 1) The image taken with the Hoya lens has larger magnification compared to the sony's -- probably about 20% or so. 2) Picture quality wise, seems that the image taken with sony's lens is slightly better (just my personal opinion, yet to test it out extensively). I've also tried using both the lenses. It does not work. All I saw were very blurry images despite standing at varying distances from the subject. Hence, based on the above findings, I think if I'm taking a close up image of a stationary object, then the hoya would suffice. However, if the intended subject is an insect that would run or fly away when I'm too close, the sony close up lens would be my choice. Till date, I've yet to test the sony's teleconverter (VCL-HGD1758). Read somewhere that this item could be combined with the close up lens. From another read, someone even suggested combining it with the hoya +4. I wonder how the combination of the 3 lenses would work since my earlier attempt on the 2 close up lenses derived a negative result. Perhaps I may be wrong. Anyone else with actual experiences? Pls share.

25th June 2004	#2
Del_CtrlnoAlt Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Outside the Dry Box. Posts: 16,342	i think for the +4 & close up together, the range is beyond the focus range of the F828... just guessing... oh ya OT abit... u bo jio ar... go buy this filter never let us know... any more stock? wats the price? __________________ Logging Off Permanently. Those who need to contact me will know where to contact me.

25th June 2004	#4
phantasia Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The North Posts: 632	Hi tho i'm not exactly sure, but i think they can be combined. The di-opter ratings of the two lenses will be added 2geder if put 2geder. Think the sony has a diopter rating of 3, since its focusing distance is 33cm. Focussing distance is calculated by 100/diopter rating...so for the +4 hoya, focussing distance should be about 25cm +-. By putting the two 2geder, diopter becomes +7, so focussing distance is bout 15cm? You can get greater magnification with a teleconverter, since at the same focussing distance, a greater zoom lense will result in a more magnified image. Hope this helps. __________________ Flickring

27th June 2004	#6
snowspeeder Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: 35A East Coast Rd Posts: 3,436	Orchid Garden Went to the Orchid Garden yesterday with King Tiger and Rexus. It was a great trip though the weather was cloudy. I had the chance to put to test the Sony Close Up Lens. I felt that it was a somewhat difficult to take shots with the lens as it requires a fixed distance between the lens and the subject. Hence a lot of adjustment was needed. Probably this was my first time playing with it, so a lot more practice would be necessary to develop my skill in this area. Here're some of the images taken: http://homepage.mac.com/lundywong/Dr...oAlbum129.html

28th June 2004	#7
King Tiger Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: In the heart of SengKang Posts: 4,976	Close up len Hi Snowspeeder I have forgotten to ask you that day, how much you bought for your close up lenses?