On Thu, 07 Feb 2002 02:16:03 GMT, "Mike McAuley" wrote:

>Can anyone provide the merits or drawbacks
>of these two WA lens converters:
>
>* Century Optics DS-65CV-SB
>* Canon WD-58
>
>This would be for the Sony PD150
>
>I've heard good things about both lenses, and I like
>the idea of the bayonet mount on the Century. But the
>Canon is less than half the price of the C.O.
>I would also like to be sure, that whichever one I decide
>to get, that it be able to have some sort of lens shade
>attached.

Except for the last, I would (and have..) gone with
the Canon WD-58 (it is sharp and flare-free - and
does not need a shade except for the occasional
overhead sun-blocker [hand, or taped-on cardboard
"lip"], but it does show barrel distortion at the
short end). I was not impressed with the performance
of the Century converters on two XL-1s (but this can
be meaningless info...;-), and for about the same
price as the Century, the Sony .7X made for the
PD150 is reputed to be even a tad better than the
Canon (the Canon is GOOD!) - I may try one. BTW,
for WA shooting, with front thread (it needs it - it
flares), the Raynox 6600 .66X has lower distortion
than the Canon, is lighter/smaller/cheaper than the
alternatives, and is a touch sharper in the corners
at WA than the Canon - but it is not fully
zoom-through... (and this one also is available
in a bayonette version for the PD150).
For frame-grabs of the XL-1 with
two Century converters on, see:
www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/camcorder-comparison.htm
For frame-grabs with the VX2000 with the Canon,
and with the Sony .6X VCL-ES06, see:
www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/sony_dcr-vx2000.htm
For stills shot with the VX2000 and Canon
WD-58, see:
www.nikonlinks.com/ruether