Is this Sanyo wide angle lens worth buying?

Question

Is this Sanyo wide angle lens worth buying?

I am going to buy a wide angle lens for my new Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2000A. This one is a Sanyo produced lens and I would like to know whether you think it is a wide enough lens. It normally costs $119.99 at Amazon but the price tonight is $99.95.
Those Amazon prices change fast.

Note: This refers to HD1000, but it will fit the HD2000 just as well because it is the same body. And when it refers to 10x optical zoom, that is for the HD 1000. My HD2000A has 16x optical zoom.

________________________________________________________________

*Technical Details*

* 0.7x Wide Angle Lens Adapter
* Genuine SANYO Accessory
* Pressure-mount Design

*Product Details*

* Product Dimensions: 2.7 x 2.7 x 1.2 inches ; 6.4 ounces

*Product Description*

Sanyo VCP-L07WU 0.7x Wide Angle Adapter Lens for HD1000 Camcorder This Sanyo VCP-L07WU Wide Angle Adapter Lens (0.7x) is for use with the Xacti HD1000 Camcorder. _*Pressure mount design fits easily over lens to covert the HD1000's 10x lens to 26.6-266mm*_ Take great landscape and wide angle shots by using this adapter lens with your Sanyo high definition camcorder. This wide angle adapter lens works with the Xacti VPC-HD1000.

Lorna asks:
What do they mean by +“Pressure mount design fits easily over lens to covert the HD1000's 10x lens to 26.6-266mm”+ ? I don't understand what they are telling me and what they are assuming that I understand.

_If I have this wide angle lens on, do I still get the 16x optical zoom?_

~L

24" Intel iMac 222.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, Mac OS X (10.5), Lexmark All In One printer, copier, scanner & fax. Two dead external hard drives

Posted on May 11, 2010 7:34 PM

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Answer 1

May 11, 2010 9:49 PM in response to Lorna from Hawaii

its worth the buy but you will get shadows at the corners of your screen.Black cornered ones that u may get rid off only when you zoom in while in your shoot, or get rid rid of them in your editing studio with the pan and crop features.Still worth the buy.enjoy..

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Answer 2

May 11, 2010 9:52 PM in response to mosesaero

Mosesaero, I looked up “Sanyo wide angle lenses” and see that they have a .7x wide angle adapter and a .4x wide angle adapter.

Which of the two shows a wider field? .4x?

~L

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Answer 3

zyfert

Level 3

610 points

May 12, 2010 12:13 AM in response to Lorna from Hawaii

Lorna asks:
What do they mean by +“Pressure mount design fits easily over lens to covert the HD1000's 10x lens to 26.6-266mm”+ ? I don't understand what they are telling me and what they are assuming that I understand.

_If I have this wide angle lens on, do I still get the 16x optical zoom?_

~L

It means that it slides over the original lens and sits there by friction. It is a press fit presumably over the camera body around the lens.

The example that you give for the HD1000 -
The original lens is 38 - 380 (10X zoom).
When you put a 0.7X adapter on it, multiply the above and you now get 26 - 266. Stll 10X.
So on your camera, just multiply your lens by 0.7 to get the new ratio.
Z.

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Answer 4

May 12, 2010 1:14 AM in response to Lorna from Hawaii

as zyfyert in his excellent reply (give him a Green Star) told you, such add-ons 'mulitply' the focal length of the lense.
focal length is measured in mm/metric.
it is common to use the 35 mm equivalent focal length
=> means, 50mm would be the 'standard' length...
the shorter the wider: 26mm is a wide-lense, 200mm a telephoto ..

problem with add-ons: vignette.. when you get the lense, make a test, zoom as wide as possible and point to a white wall etc. - check on a monitor, NOT the built-in screen, if the corners of the pic are 'dimmed'. if so, send lense back, or live with this vignette (=some people like this look, it is an effect in iMovie09)...-

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Answer 5

May 12, 2010 11:17 AM in response to Karsten Schlüter

Dear Zyfert and Karsten--
Thank you so much for replying to my question.

In another lifetime I was developed my own black and white prints under my own Besseler enlarger in the second bathroom, so I do understand/remember about 50mm focal length being what the eye sees, 100mm being a portrait/close up lens,and 35mm being wide angle -- what newspaper photographers use to get the complete picture. I had an Olympus single lens reflex in those days -- still have it; don't use it. However, the measuring part that you mention is my Danger Zone. 🙂

Your input and viewpoints are very much appreciated, because I have about .05% experience using a camcorder.

~L

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Answer 6

zyfert

Level 3

610 points

May 12, 2010 2:49 PM in response to Lorna from Hawaii

Lorna,
Before you start buying all these add-ons, get out there and start using your camera.
You may find that you do not need the wide angle adapter.
If you think you do, go into a store and see if they will let you try one. Shoot some footage with it and check the results.
As Karsten explains, there will always be some image degradation with an adapter as opposed to purpose built interchangeable lenses.
Z.

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Answer 7

May 12, 2010 2:57 PM in response to zyfert

Ok, these are two videos I saw that show comparisons of the Sanyo wide angle lens.

To compare, I move the counter button back and forth so that I can see an immediate difference.

Sanyo Xacti HD2000 wide angle lens test #1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3N3m_9lpqs&NR=1

Sanyo Xacti HD2000 wide angle lens test #2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15X_e9Rg7XM&NR=1

Zyfert, I already know that I want the wide angle, and better more wide than less wide. From taking shots around the house and of the newly hatched sparrows, the ducks that go swimming in my pool, and my dog chasing them, I know that I need a wider lens to take in more of the picture. Actually the newly hatched sparrows do not need it, but for other needs, the wide angle serves a purpose for me.

~L

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Answer 8

May 12, 2010 3:07 PM in response to Lorna from Hawaii

I just now ordered that Sanyo wide-angle lens for my Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2000A from Amazon.com.

I feel ok about it because I researched every video and review that I could find, and I read what you had to say about it. Thank you so much. 🙂

~L

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