On 8 Jun 2001 19:21:25 -0700, ved79@hotmail.com (ved) wrote:

>Well, My VX-2000 arrived today. I was so excited! This camera is so
>cool. I had been waiting all morning and afternoon and Finally the UPS
>Truck arrived around 6 p.m. I'd really like to thank cameraworld.com
>for the deal I got.
>This is what I got:
>
>VX-2000 (all accessories ofcourse)
>Kenko Wide Conversion Lens 0.65x (KRW-065Pro)
>NP-F750 Sony 8 Hour Battery
>
>All for $2,523.81
>
>I got lucky, when I called to place the order there was a 10% discount
>on all camcorders. It was on Backorder for 2 weeks, but it's here now
>and I'm just having so much fun!
>
>The video quality is absolutely great! I have not had a great deal of
>time with it, therefore I have not really messed around too much. I
>really like where the buttons are located on the camera, eventhough
>many have mentioned about them being a bit uncomfortable. And the
>Large Eyecup that is inculuded for the viewfinder is also very
>comfortable. I've never like the normal size ones that come with most
>camcorders. Another thing is the Guide Frame, I thinks it's nice too!
>Eventhough my Sony TRV-8 has done so much for me I can't help to
>laugh/giggle when I compare them both. I can feel good projects coming
>soon...
>
>About the Kenko wide angle lens, does anyone have an opinion about the
>wide angle lens? I paid about $180 for it. I'm not experienced enough
>to really acknowledge all of my options. I'm asking this because
>inside the box there was a small paper mentioning that this lens was
>for SVHS Cameras and some HI-8 cameras as well. I just kind of got the
>feeling maybe this was an old lens and not adequate for the camera.
>
>Special Thanks To Cameraworld.com!

That IS a good deal!
On the WA: I'm not familiar with that particular one.
Try it. If it is sharp in the corners at the widest
FL and with the lens aperture wide, it is good.
Alternatives: the $180 .7X Canon WD-58 is first-rate
on this camera; the Sony VCL-ES06 (with 58mm->52mm
step-down ring) is very good for a wider view, cheap,
but it doesn't allow much zooming range; the Raynox
HD-6600 Pro-58 looks interesting, and I'm trying to
buy one to try (lower linear distortion than the
above - but it must also be sharp to be useful); the
expensive Sony HD-58mm version is supposed to be
sharp, and with a bit less linear distortion than
the WD-58. I'm still looking for a good .5X zoom-through
58mm-thread converter for the VX-2000, though.
BTW, the VX-2000 and several other Mini-DV camcorders
are reviewed on my web site (look under the "I babble"
index).