On Fri, 28 Jun 2002 14:33:52 GMT, NOSPAMmdknight@pacific.net.sg (Sir Loin of Beef) wrote:

>I need one urgently, so I don't have much time to debate the
>characteristics. Was hoping someone here could help.
>
>Right now I've got a SOny PC-9 with a 30-37mm step up ring. I have 2
>choices of wideangle lens:
>
>
>1) VCL-0637H by SONY 0.6 wideangle lens
>2) VCL-ES06A by SONY 0.6 wideangle lens
>
>What are the differences?
>The ES06A looks much smaller, and claims to be a clip-on. Do I need
>another 37mm lens to attach it to?
>Will I be able to autofocus using these lenses?
>Anythign else I should know?

The first is "zoom-through", meaning that sharpness
and focus are reasonably well maintained throughout
the available zoom range; the ES06 is not zoom-through,
and will lose focus about 2:1 in zooming from widest
position. The ES06, though, tends to be wider (on
added rings) and sharper and lower in flare than the
alternatives short the "HG" Sony series (and it is
usually better at the edges with 2-3 empty filter
rings added between the ES06 and the 30-37mm step-up
ring [I use 37-52mm, with empty 52mm rings to minimize
vignetting possibility {and 'cuz I have lotsa old
damaged 52mm filters handy...;-}]).