Which wide angle lens is better for HF M41?

[tecra123]

Hi,All,
I'm user upgrading from HV30 to HF M41. M41 has better low light performance than HV30. (I don't have SONY CX560/700 to compare.)
I used SONY HG0737X WA in HV30. Everything is ok. But when I put HG0737X to M41, I found there's dark angle in the right-top when moving. It seems HV30 and M41 has the same lens with same specification (43.6-436mm). I guess M41 is 1080i and wider than HV30's HDV so that M41 will have dark angle.
I borrow SONY HG0737Y and mount on M41, even more dark angle in the right-top.
I found HG0737Y is so heavy in M41 and decide not to consider Canon WD-H43 since they have similar weight.
So I want to try SONY HGA07B which is 0.75x WA, narrower than 0373X/Y which is 0.7x WA.
Since I can't borrow to test, I'd like to know who has tested or know if it has dark angle or any other suggestion?
It seems SONY CX560/700 has wide angle built-in and easy to use.
Thanks a lot!

[shaolin95]

From my research, I like the Raynox 6600. I bought a cheaper on Amazon that does the trick but quality is better for sure with the Raynox.

[Melachrino]

Definitely the Raynox 6600. Cannot beat the quality and price.
Very importantly, of course, your HV30 and M41 (like my HV20) have the same thread so the Raynox fits both very well.
When you order, make sure it comes with a special extender adaptor (part of the kit) so that focus and field uniformity are optimum for both cameras.
This lens is great for indoor or tight shots. It is not recommended to zoom with it past x4 but ....

[Bif]

Also get a 43-52mm stepup ring and order your wide angle adapter in 52mm. Going with the larger size avoids the same potential for vignetting (which I think is what you are seeing with the "dark corner".

That's the approach I took with the HV20 I used to have, then when I moved to the HF100's with 37mm filter thread I simply got a 37-52mm stepup ring and the same wide angle adapter still works fine. Mine is a 0.45x which has a much wider field of view than what you've been trying.

Bruce Foreman

[Lou van Wijhe]

The Canon WD-H43 is indeed rather heavy but the picture quality with it is excellent and you can zoom to tele the full range. I used it on a HV20 and will now transfer it to the M41 which has the the lens specs.

Lou

[tecra123]

Thanks a lot!

[Timezone]

I didn't like the silver exterior on the HD-43, so it got painted.
Here is a look at the Canon HD-43mm and the Raynox 6600 43mm on my HF M41.

[DAlexander]

Does this lens work with the HF s20?

[cgbier]

If the cam has a 43mm filter thread, then yes.

[Lou van Wijhe]

Does this lens work with the HF s20?

No, your camera has a 58mm filter size. For that you would need the Canon WD-H58 (or a same size wide-angle adapter of another manufacturer).

Lou

[DAlexander]

No, your camera has a 58mm filter size. For that you would need the Canon WD-H58 (or a same size wide-angle adapter of another manufacturer).

Lou

I was hoping to avoid the high price of the WD-H58. I should be able to use an off-brand lens as long as I get the adapter ring, correct? I've seen some low end lenses on amazon that have gotten good reviews. Any issues with these type of lenses? Thanks!

[jcol4]

I didn't like the silver exterior on the HD-43, so it got painted.
Here is a look at the Canon HD-43mm and the Raynox 6600 43mm on my HF M41.
[IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y10/Polardoor/8b66f929.jpg[/]
[IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y10/Polardoor/b2f08d1f.jpg[/]
[IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y10/Polardoor/68d82aa2.jpg[]

You wouldn't happen to have examples of the Raynox lens, would you?

[Bif]

I was hoping to avoid the high price of the WD-H58. I should be able to use an off-brand lens as long as I get the adapter ring, correct? I've seen some low end lenses on amazon that have gotten good reviews. Any issues with these type of lenses? Thanks!

You have a chance as long as you order the converter lens in 58mm size or larger (if available).

DO NOT attempt to use smaller sized converter lens and rings to adapt it to 58mm. All that will do is insure you get dark vignetting.

Bruce Foreman

[drapeama]

I was hoping to avoid the high price of the WD-H58. I should be able to use an off-brand lens as long as I get the adapter ring, correct? I've seen some low end lenses on amazon that have gotten good reviews. Any issues with these type of lenses? Thanks!

1) The Canon lens is better as you can zoom through it without ending with a blurry and foggy image. I have the Raynox and it's the only complain I could have with that particular lens, but it's not much of an issue for me.
2) Sure. Be sure to get the proper size adapter, or simply get the lens that has the same threads size. As Bruce mentionned, don't use step-down rings, as you'll get vignetting.
3) Check here, there's some issue with "lower-end" WA lenses. Here's a comparison between the bare HV, the Raynox and the Digital Concept (cheap) lens.

You wouldn't happen to have examples of the Raynox lens, would you?

What kind of examples you'd like?

[jcol4]

1)
What kind of examples you'd like?

on the m41 perhaps a video with lens on of a strait edge close to the edges. Thanks. Just making sure there is no barrel distortion before purchase.

[Lou van Wijhe]

on the m41 perhaps a video with lens on of a strait edge close to the edges. Thanks. Just making sure there is no barrel distortion before purchase.

At the wide end of the zoom there is barrel distortion at the edges. But this is the case with most wide adapters.

Lou

[drapeama]

Just making sure there is no barrel distortion before purchase.

There's a difference between wide angle and fisheye. The raynox doesn't have much barrel distortion.

[Lou van Wijhe]

jcol4,

Lunchbox put up some sample images taken with the WD-H43 here. As you can see, especially in picture #3, there is some barrel distortion on straight lines at the edges. However, to my taste, this isn't very disturbing and people are used to some distortion in wide angle shots.

Lou

[jcol4]

There's a difference between wide angle and fisheye. The raynox doesn't have much barrel distortion.

Just trying to see if it is worth buying. I was given a cheap wide angle, and it does distort quite a bit. I understand distortion is to be expected, but just wanted to see what comparison is between a cheap lens, and something more expensive.

A still would be fine.

If you can't no worries.

[drapeama]

...just wanted to see what comparison is between a cheap lens, and something more expensive.

Just in case you would have missed it in the previous post:

Here's a comparison between the bare HV, the Raynox and the Digital Concept (cheap) lens.

I can take another one, better and with less noise, but it won't affect the barrel distortion!

Raynox HD-6600 0.66x:


Cheap Digital Concept 0.5x:


Bare HV40:

[jcol4]

Just in case you would have missed it in the previous post:

thanks, I did miss those.

[drapeama]

thanks, I did miss those.

Some fresh grabs:

Raynox HD-6600 - 0.66x:


Digital Concept - 0.55x:


Bare HV40:


So you choose what you prefer: more field of view with a very slight barrel distortion, or the regular field of view without barrel distortion...but also without much in the view.

[jcol4]

Some fresh grabs:

Thanks!

[drapeama]

Thanks!

At lest these were cleaner than the previous ones.There's'a little barrel distortion but nothing distractive.

[charlie_tango]

Some fresh grabs:

...and the room is a mess...