On Sun, 04 Feb 2001 12:04:37 GMT, xyz@hotmail.com (xyz) wrote:

>OK. Had a chance to try the Sony VCL-ES06. I used the one step ring
>adapter for the 37mm lens on my D8. Image resolution is roughly the
>same as the Sony VCL-0637H. For some reason it seems to take in more
>visual area top to bottom.

Yes, and more yet with more space between the ES06 and lens
(limited by onset of vignetting). On a lower-res system (and
especially since the "H" is a better-quality converter than
some, and since it has been optimized by Sony for Sony
camcorders with 37mm threads), it is not surprising there
is not much sharpness difference on your camera (check the
corners on texture at wide stops, though...). The ES06
is nearly unique, though, in being good and fittable on
a wide range of lenses...

>The bad news is the barrel effect is constant. Even when I zoom in a
>little bit (it may go away if I really zoom in but that would negate
>its usefullness as a WA lens) the barrel effect is still there. With
>the VCL-0637H I could get rid of the effect by zooming in a little
>from the widest (WA) setting (any curved vertical lines straighten
>out). Not so with the VCL-ES06.

It is not intended for zooming...

>Also, the VCL-0637H allows you to really zoom in to an object. The
>resulting image may be hard to auto-focus but at least you can still
>see it 'clearly'. Not so with the VCL-ES06. The image just blurs out
>completely if you try to zoom very close.

It is not intended for zooming...;-)

>So, the choice for me is obvious. The VCL-0637H seems to work best
>with my D8 camcorder. It's also less expensive than the VCL-ES06.
>However, your experience with the VCL-ES06 may be different from mine.
>Try various step ring combinations. I also have a UV filter on my
>original lens.

Sounds like you have found the best match for you...