In article
>Looking for a wide angle lense adaptor for the VX-1000. Two models have
>been suggested:
>
>Sony VCL-0752H
>
>Kenko VC-050Hi
>
>Needs to produce a sharp image with no vignetting. Please e-mail prices &
>info to sbp@flinet.com. Thanks!
Hmmm... Having tried a few converters (including TWO very different
versions of the Kenko with the same number - but not the Sony) on the
similarly-lensed VX-700, my observations are these:
- The 3-element Kenko VC-050Hi (no "(N)") .5X does not vignette and is very
wide (and has noticeable barrel distortion and edge/corner softness at
the widest zoom setting).
- The Raynox Pro-5050 .5X using a flat 52->49mm step-down ring, and...
- the 4-element Kenko VC-050Hi (N) produce nice sharp wide views (with some
barrel distortion), but both will vignette toward the widest zoom setting.
- Various fisheye converters can be sharp (or unsharp) at the edges on this
particular zoom (and perform quite differently on other lenses...), and
also vignette at the zoom short end (which can be OK, and VERY wide...).
The fisheye converters also tend to have a central flare area, and are not
very good when used toward the long end of the zoom range.
Conclusion: If you want to avoid the possibility of vignetting while getting
the widest coverage, take the first choice; if you are willing to limit the
zoom range at the short end to gain image quality, choose the second or
third; if you want maximum angle of coverage, take the fourth choice (trying
a few different ones to find one most compatible with this lens). B&H in NYC
sells all these ('cept maybe the fisheyes...) at good prices (roughly $100).
Hope This Helps