Century Precision Optics 0DS-HR65-37 0.65x Wide-Angle Converter

Comments about Century Precision Optics 0DS-HR65-37 0.65x Wide-Angle Converter:

Century Precision Optics makes world class lenses and this one is no exception. I use this lens on my Sony HDR-HC1 and the performance is incredible – a major upgrade to my HDV quality. While straight shots can be good, I still prefer a wide angle lens for almost all shots. This lens creates a cinematic experience that is very enjoyable to watch. Barrel distortion? Fuzziness? Please! I have a very critical eye and I don't see any of either. My London documentary looks fantastic and I credit it to this lens alone. The picture is sharper and the light and color is absolutely stronger. Simply remarkable, a real joy and worth every penny!

Comments about Century Precision Optics 0DS-HR65-37 0.65x Wide-Angle Converter:

Not good for with my Sony HDD camcorder. High lens flare at wide angle along with distortion. My Sony VCL-HGA07 works much, much better and is significanly less expensive.

Comments about Century Precision Optics 0DS-HR65-37 0.65x Wide-Angle Converter:

The lens looks like a piece of quality glass, at the price of almost 250 when the sony version which is only .5x difference at 129 i think. would be a better bet. i had to buy this one because the store did not have the sony in stock. I was leaving the next day to go on vacation in Hawaii. When I got back and downloaded all the video I noticed there was chromatic aberration at the perimeter of the image at full wide angle, when zoomed in the aberration disappears, The lens is a "zoom thru" but at the wide angle (what it was made for) I think falls short of the mark.

Comments about Century Precision Optics 0DS-HR65-37 0.65x Wide-Angle Converter:

All camcorders come a little short in delivering a zoom lens with wide enough coverage. To fill this need, lens manufacturers have been making adapters to make the standard lens either wider, longer or focusing closer. Since Cetury Precision Optics has been making this line of adapters, it is the best one available for size, weight, and holding focus.

Comments about Century Precision Optics 0DS-HR65-37 0.65x Wide-Angle Converter:

I use this lens on a Canon Vixia HF100; worked great on my old Sony P330. Some barrel distorsion, but otherwise excellent performance. Does not vignette with (Nikon) filter or slim polarizer. Wish it was wider and lighter.

Comments about Century Precision Optics 0DS-HR65-37 0.65x Wide-Angle Converter:

I bought this lens before I bought the Sony VCL-HG0737Y for my HVR-A1 camera. I can hardly express how bad the image is from it. There is barrel distortion and soft focus on the sides of the frame. I can also see chromatic aberration on the edges of my images.

Later when I got a little CX7, I tried it again on that camera with exactly the same results.

I really don't understand it. Century Optics makes fine products aside from this particular lens.

Comments about Century Precision Optics 0DS-HR65-37 0.65x Wide-Angle Converter:

Generally I prefer Century optics to Sony or other 3rd party (they are a pro-lens manufacturer). But based on below review I called Century first. They said, just because the thread is 37mm does not mean it works for all cameras. They have deemed this lens "not acceptable" for the canon hv and Sony hc series cameras (not sure about others)-something to do with compatible glass configurations. They are working on a lens for these cameras.
So don't think poorly of Century in general--they make great lenses! ...they said the Fisheye DOES work with the Sony hc cams.

Comments about Century Precision Optics 0DS-HR65-37 0.65x Wide-Angle Converter:

I bought the Century Optics 0.65x WA converter for my Canon HV-10 based on the reputation of its Schneider optics, but it produces images that suffer from strong barrel distortion and pronounced edge softness. I cannot complain about the built quality but its optical quality is very poor considering its price.

Problems Encountered: 1. Strong barrel distortion2. Only the center region of the image, roughly 60%, has acceptable quality. The outer sides edges are completely blurred.

Previous Equivalent Items Owned: None

Comments about Century Precision Optics 0DS-HR65-37 0.65x Wide-Angle Converter:

I shoot from the back of an church auditorium with a Sony PDX-10 in native 16.9. This wide-angle converter helps with keeping our Pastor in the shot. He moves a lot, uses his arms, and the additional screen area does the trick. Worth every penny.

Problems Encountered: None

Previous Equivalent Items Owned: None

Items I Recommend: Works fine by itself.