OT really dumb question about lenses

TGS wrote on 5/11/2007, 7:08 PM
I'm not a Vid camera pro and I apologize to those that may think this is crass.
I'm recording with 3 consumer digital video cameras (not Hi-Def) that have no means for attaching different lenses. I'm trying to record simple jam sessions with unmanned cameras in a small room. I need a way to get a wide angle lens on at least one of these cameras. Is it possible to "attach / scotch tape" a wide angle lens and make it work. It would be nice if somebody made one that attached like a lens cap. I don't have access to one to try out, which is why I'm asking. This is not serious recording and my income doesn't allow for another camera (or much of anything). Plus, I'm only doing this about 3 times a year, strictly for fun. But I'd still like the outcome to look as good as possible.
If it is possible, please describe what lens / brand and approx cost (and try not to laugh too much) Thanks
PS: These are all Sony Digital 8 camcorders and they look like they have a threaded area next to the lens. It looks like 5/16 of an inch from glass to end of barrel, where lens cap attaches. ( f=4.1-73.8mm 1:18 037....the zero has a / thru it )

Comments

richard-courtney wrote on 5/11/2007, 7:30 PM
037mm is the size you need to look for in an adapter.

The Sony Accessories catalog has the following listed:
VCL-0637H is a 0.6X multiplyer selling retail $50
VCL-HG0737X is 0.7X multiplyer selling retail $190

I would also recommend a sun shield, you can find them at most camera
shops. $20-$30 I'll try and find the part number since most of these adapters
do not have threads this is a clamp-on.

Don't feel bad we all have to learn how to walk before we run.
This forum has many people that are more than happy to help you.

EDIT: everyone posted about same time!!!
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/444435-REG/Raynox_HD5050PRO_HD_5050PRO_37mm_0_5x_Super.htmlRaynox[/link]
and it has threads to mount a http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&Q=&is=REG&O=productlist&sku=70734Kalt Lens Hood[/link]
fldave wrote on 5/11/2007, 7:31 PM
I have a Sony D8 cam with a "37"mm lens mount as standard?. I bought a 37mm Wide angle lens for it and it works fine. That was about 11 years ago, though?

The one I have cost a lot more than this one, but it seems like it may work? $29.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/479675-REG/Sony_VCLE07A_VCL_E07A_0_7x_Wide_Angle.html
busterkeaton wrote on 5/11/2007, 7:32 PM
edited.

Better answered appeared before I posted.
farss wrote on 5/11/2007, 7:34 PM
Sony sell a number of wide angle adaptors that screw onto the front of the existing lens.
Also you could try Raynox who do quite a range of add on lenses for just about every video and still camera.
However the W.A. adaptor I bought for my old D8 from Sony was so cheap I didn't even bother hunting down a Raynox.
Thing to watch for is if want the shot to be signifcantly wider you might need something more than waht Sony offer, most of their are only 0.8 whereas Raynox go all the way to fisheye. Be warned, as you go wider you'll get more barrel distortion. Also not all W.A. adaptors are zoom through. That means you have to have the existng lens zoomed as wide as it'll go, try to zoom in and you'll have problems.
TGS wrote on 5/11/2007, 8:20 PM
OMG, I am ignorant. I didn't think there was anything but maybe a simple filter that could be attached. This is fantastic. Great fast info.
$29. for a Sony brand is very reasonable.
Is there a simple understanding to what the numbers mean. Like does 0.7 mean I'm getting about 30% more area covered or do the numbers just apply to the lens and you have to figure it out? Any simple logic to it?
I'm assuming W.A. adaptor is a brand, I"m also not familiar with the Raynox brand. (more musician than camera guy)
This room I tape in is very small and only 3 or 4 musicians and I still need a wide lens, so not much chance of zooming.
Thank you very much for the info so far. Excellent
fldave wrote on 5/11/2007, 8:27 PM
B&H Photo Video - you can't go wrong. I would call them, give them the numbers on the lens, model # of your cam, and make sure they can give you what you need. Reference the $29 model if you have to.

Solid, class company.
farss wrote on 5/11/2007, 9:01 PM
Oops sorry.
W.A. = Wide Angle, not a brand.

Bob.
TGS wrote on 5/11/2007, 9:02 PM
Thank you, fldave
I'm probably placing an order as soon as they open.
The one other thing I'd like to know is what the 0.7 stands for. I'm trying to get a mental picture of what to expect. Is there a simple logic to it? Am I getting 30% more view? 0.6 = 40% more view? It's probably not that simple, but that's the way my brain works.
The one you suggested with the 3 adaptors looks great, but I'm trying to get an idea of what I'll be getting, in case I need an even smaller one and an adaptor for that.
Although, off the top of my head, that one will probably do.
Thanks again.
TGS wrote on 5/11/2007, 9:08 PM
Sorry bob,
I am ignorant about his. lol
TGS wrote on 5/11/2007, 10:07 PM
Ok, I just checked out the Raynox 0.5 that RCourtney posted and that adds 100% more, so 0.7 should be more than plenty for what I need.
Thank you all so much for the quick responses.
TGS wrote on 5/11/2007, 11:07 PM
Dang.
After reading about almost every lens at B&H, I may end up spending the extra $60. on the Raynox 5050. Thanks RCourtney. My wallet doesn't thank you, though. But I think I'll like it, even if it is overkill.
Coursedesign wrote on 5/11/2007, 11:15 PM
Unless you're shooting for an artistic look, try to avoid having any light sources shining right into the wide angle adapter.

These are much more susceptible to flare than when just using the stock lens on the camera.
TGS wrote on 5/12/2007, 12:06 AM
Hmmm. That must be why he added the hood, above. Thanks. ANY light sources, this includes indoor shaded lamps too? I've already sprung for these cheap clamp light fixtures and double florescent daylight bulbs to have behind the cameras, but you mean even a regular shaded lamp or light fixtures in the background, but in the cameras view too?
Well, another $7.50 for a hood. Boy, I'm learning a lot tonight.
farss wrote on 5/12/2007, 1:45 AM
If they're right behind the camera no problem but even if they're out of shot but the light directly hits the glass at the front of the lens you can have problems. A good matte box really helps but you could end up spending more on that the camera is worth. At least get a good lens hood and be prepared to use some cutters and/or french flags. Nothing expensive is needed, all it has to do is shade the lens and not get in shot. These things you can gaf tape. And keep the front of the lens clean, I mean really clean.

Buy an expensive lens cleaning cloth, the ones made of chamois leather are the best. Keep the cloth clean i.e. put it in a container with a lid. Shake it out before use. Sounds like a lor of fuss over a $50 lens but one day you might have a $1,000 lens and it doesn't hurt to get into good habits early one. One tiny bit of grit and you've got a scratched lens, not a good thing.

Bob.
richard-courtney wrote on 5/12/2007, 5:08 AM
Bob is right a mattebox can be expensive...... but look at http://www.desktopcreations.com.mt/dtc_shade/matte_01.jpgthis.[/link]

http://www.desktopcreations.com.mt/dtc_shade/Instructions to make it.[/link]

Looks cool even if it is cardboard.
farss wrote on 5/12/2007, 6:12 AM
If you want something a tad more durable that will, well sort of, hold a filter the ones from these guys are pretty good:

http://www.cinetactics.com/Page.bok?template=c_mb100m

Great thing with these little matte box / lens hood things is one size fits a wide range of cameras and it folds up flat.

Just be careful with any matte box and shooting wide. Almost none of the viewfinders on even the expensive (>$50K) cameras show you the whole frame. You can get the edge or corner of the matte box in shot and not see it until it's too late. One trick is to run you finger around the inside edge of the matte box. If you can see it in the viewfinder it's pretty likely the edge of the matte box is in shot.

Bob.
Grazie wrote on 5/12/2007, 6:43 AM
You can get the edge or corner of the matte box in shot and not see it until it's too late.

Oh yes. . oh yes . . This was one of reasons why I got me a cheapo 7" LCD MONITOR. Love it!

TGS wrote on 5/22/2007, 8:35 PM
Howdy folks,
I just wanted to update this. Today I received my Raynox 5050 Pro 0.5 lens, the 62mm Kalt hood and a Swarovski chamois lens cleaning cloth, along with some adapters that let me mount my camera to a microphone stand. The lens is quite impressive. I want to thank everybody for their suggestions and help. I won't be putting it to my intended use, for about another month or so, but I'm quite pleased with what I've seen thru the lens, so far. BIG difference in what I can capture at close range and it doesn't look 'fish-eyed'.
I have another dumb lens question, but I'll post that separately. Thanks R.Courtney, for the suggestion. I know it's overkill, but someday I'll get a Hi-Def camera and this should work with it too.
Thanks all. I'll see, after the next jam, if a matte box is needed.