A Note About Cheap Wide-Angle Lense Adaptors for Camcorders

[@arathan23]

Thats Good For Fisheye Lens. That Black Spot What I Heard Is Called "vig" Most Skateboard Filmers Want That

[@6ixtimeFadeEmAll]

that’s exactly what i was going to comment

[@taco0280]

@@6ixtimeFadeEmAll same that’s why I bought one

[@raiinger5203]

That's exactly what I want hehe

[@ryanspivey8969]

Nah, the reason that’s so popular in skateboarding is because most professional skaters use a very expensive lens called an opteka mk 2 fisheye lens. It’s an extremely good lens with minor vignetting that can be easily removed in post. Skaters are lazy though, so it’s become popular to leave the vignetting in. If you’re looking for a lens that’s shitty but has vignetting, you’re being a poser and don’t know the history of why people leave it in.

[@dovid729]

@@ryanspivey8969 leave it in? bro how are you gonna remove it, if you zoom in it'll look like shit, there is no "opteka mk2 fisheye lens" you're talking nonsense...

[@scenicskateboards]

The vignetting is the best part! as long as ISO is off,it helps with even wider shots.Hell,with the step down ring on,it looks even wider.It could actually pass as a fisheye

[@papercut2008uk]

it's because you bought a smaller lens for a larger thread, if you bought a larger lens and had to use an adapter for a smaller thread, you wouldn't have the issue.

[@injectionAI]

14 years later and we actually love that horrible look

[@doug]

Yeah, never buy really cheap ones. I bought one for my old camera (GZ-HD7) off ebay, it was slightly bigger than my camera thread (got converter too) and could still see slight black lines! A small crop and they were gone, so it was fairly good Recently got one for my new fx1 too, again off ebay.. was about £65 and is perfect :)

[@henriyuji]

Better call saul??

[@JohnAldred]

A quick note on the vignetting (the black circular border around the edges), if you can't get the exact size for your camera's thread, get one that's got a bigger thread and use a step-up ring adapter. If you get one that's smaller and step-down, that's when you get the issues shown in this video with the first lens. Of course, getting one designed for larger may have other negative effects on the sharpness/distortion once you use the step-up.

[@JoeGP]

you probably don't know this but you are never supposed to put a smaller filter/lens on then the cameras native filter tread size, for exactly the same reason (vignetting), but you can put a bigger one on. I also noticed that the bigger(second) lens you got didn't widen as much, so you probably got one with less widening effect, which also helps reduce corner blurring and vignetting

[@leamas1820]

When buying such lens you should always choose the one in which diameter of thread which attaches it to the camera is equal or greater than the diameter of thread on your camcorder lens. You should as well pay attention to the diameter of front element of such adapter - the greater the better. My Vitacon converter has mounting thread of 58mm which is the same as camcorder lens thread size and the front of adapter is 82mm and despite this there's still a bit of vignetting in the corners. It is visible only when filming one colour surface ie white wall but it exists.

[@MattiaBioli]

Many years have passed since this video. I'm Italian and unfortunately I didn't understand much, I apologize. I am directing a short film and using a vhs as a means of shooting, I would like a winde angle lens, could you please recommend one? I am using a Sony Digital Handycam Mini DV

[@Michael-wj9pk]

i know this video is old but it gave me alot of information about the filter on my camcorder. I need a fisheye for my sony trv 138 and i got confused because i thought the lens size was the filter size but now after watching this i know the size is 37mm, thanks! also i buying a fisheye lens for skateboarding, i wasnt lucky enough to find a sony VX1000 so im stuck with a trv 138.

[@kidnickles101]

Did you end up buying a lens ? I have the same cam corder and I’m looking for one myself

[@rickvanman]

@BMSWEB Yeah, I don't like using the new one - it gives the footage a cheap feel and causes a blooming effect.

[@KcLee677]

Flip ultra hd and flip mino hd fixable with little super glue. Or even magnetic , Velcro..

[@rickvanman]

screwed together they are probably the main wide angle lens. if you unscrew the front half you will probably have the macro lens remaining - for closeups

[@rickvanman]

Hi- Glad you found the video useful. Yes, i think you are right, there is a small amount of curving caised by the lense. I am assuming that this is normal on a cheap adaptor.

[@KARA.LupinHold]

Hi what camera did you use here I know it’s 14 years ago you posted this but it would amazing to know what type of video camera you can change else too 🤗

[@rickvanman]

@petenicezz Sorry, I haven't got a clue. I made this video 3 years ago and am completely out of touch with what's current.

[@DirectorToby]

Great stuff Rick, Your basically answering all the questions Ive been asking myself recently , lol. Keep making these videos, so so helpful. And as Ive been looking for a wide angle lens but being put off by the hefty price tag, after seeing this i ordered the same one as you :) I don't really expect it to be amazing, but for the price it's worth a look. Great stuff

[@rickvanman]

haven't tried the macro yet - will have to find something interesting to point it at.

[@rickvanman]

no manual controls on the HDRVX520V -plus i wouldn't have a Hard disk camera

[@hypnosiscenternyc]

Using a 35mm lens as an example ... how wide does these lenses make the ax53

[@rickvanman]

Th Tom, sorry mate, I'm not too sure on the numbers. I'm guessing that the bigger the number the steeper the wide angle?

[@rickvanman]

it doesn't have a name - although I can start calling it larry if it makes you feel better! It just says 43mm Professional 0.45X wide angle lense for DC/DV Japan

[@rickvanman]

LOL - you can always buy 2nd hand - probably plenty of 3CCD miniDV models out there on eBay for not a lot these days, as everyone wants HD

[@kamotetekamots9512]

This gave an idea to make my wide angle lens to look like fisheye lens using a uv filter lens

[@929dasher]

Looks good to film skating 😳

[@MrMilkshakey]

The black shadowing is called vignetting and it is generally a desired effect with a fisheye lens.... it is not due to cheapness or buildquality also it is unsharp near the edges because it is a circular lens making square images it happens with every circular lens.....

[@cky2k3]

1:10 The previous owner probably re-stacked the lenses to get the notorious fisheye effect (if it has 3 lenses - flipping the center & outer lenses will amplify the legendary fisheye effect of the golden era of skateboarding). Also getting a better adapter could resolve that

[@rickvanman]

Thanks for the info. What low-budget altenative to a wide angle barrel-shaped image would you reccomend?

[@ducter2001]

When you fit the 'Made to Measure' wide angle lens to your camera there is obviously no vignetting but there is a lot of barrel distorition, this tends to be more prominent in the cheaper wide angle lens something that is worthy of mention.

[@benbenpotato]

That "fatness" is called "focal length" aka the length from the lens to the sensor, or in this case the length of the lens to the built in camcorder lens to the sensor lol. Great vid!!!!

[@benbenpotato]

And a shorter focal length means more in focus!!!! Spot on!

[@ThomasGrillo]

Thanks for the tip. I'm just now crossing over from strictly amateur video (pocket cams) into pro-sumer/entry pro dv, and very nearly got the wrong lense, but thanks to this vid, I'll be more careful. I'll be using Canon Vixia HG-20s in my future vids, so hopefuly, I'll be able to get the right lenses for them. Happy holidays, by the way! :)

[@rickvanman]

True - problem with this new lense is that i still get that dreadful "blooming" when I zoom in. I guess the solution is not to zoom :o)

[@rickvanman]

Cant remember which one it was - there are lots of different companies selling them - mostly from China which is where mine came from

[@jethou1]

Hi, Thanks for this video, it's been useful helping me know what to look for in a wide angle adapter for my Canon EOS. I can see avoiding the need to a filter ring size adapter is important, as is the size of the lens, however from the video it appears the 1st lens is giving a wider view, I see things each side I can't see in the 2nd. If you were taking stills and cropped the image from the 1st lens to cover the same area as the 2nd you would lose much of the problem, although with less quality

[@rickvanman]

no worries Mark. glad to help.

[@CarmineTavernaPhotography]

Very good video...you certainly saved folks from buying the wrong wide angle accessory lens 😀

[@RedSpectrumPictures]

The first lens will be great for skateboarding edits, that is a style that is used quite a lot in skateboarding videos. I enjoy all these videos rick, this is why I subscribed to you in the first place, do you still do filmmaking? will you be doing videos like this still?

[@brokenboardsmedia]

the first one you can see more because you have an adapter ring then you will be able to see more but you will have vig as what you refer to as the black fussy thing

[@NevadaExplorer]

Excellent video. You just saved me some time and money. I would have discovered this after purchase and then would have spent time returning/reselling the wrong size converters. Please mention the music you play in your videos. Always a complimentary choice.

[@jackdeclerck8860]

rickvanman the rim you're seeing is called vignetting. It is not caused by the adapter ring or the price of the lens. the problem cannot be solved because of the wide-angle feature. Also this lens was not made to zoom with which is why it is commonly used in skateboard filming

[@DirectorToby]

Just thought i'd post my thoughts on this as I bought one too. The macro function works great, so for close up shots (with/ without the wide angle lens) it looks great. However, it loses focus and clarity when doing landscape shots, probably due to the cheaper glass used.

[@BAKslider]

Rick another tip that might help is: I have a UV filter on my camera at all times to protect the lens. It adds about 1/3 inch to the end of the lens. The vignetting on the edges using a cheapo lens is GREATLY reduced but not completely taken out by removing the UV filter. Gave me about another 10% of real picture. Thanks for all your good work compadre!

[@majestixblue]

@Eliana31205 if you meant putting 72mm macro close up filter/wide angle lens with adapter/ring(step down), there's always risk of having vignetting(black sides). 72mm to 67mm, I suppopsed you won't see it. Google or go to photography forum to get your answer.

[@rascalhusky8129]

Great video and very very educational. Now I understand how this system works to my advantage . Great .

[@TheMusicMark]

Good Advice Rick. I've found that it is difficult to get all of my piano on the video's i make, so this may be a solution. I still need to experiment with different filming angles. Thanks Rick

[@rickvanman]

It's the best camera I've ever had - totally reccomend it.

[@SteU4IA]

I still notice a bit of chromatic aberration and bluring on the edges of your 2nd lens. I have decided to actually get a lens that is about 10mm wider then my filter thread so the blurring and fallout on the edges can be avoided.

[@SabrinaVideo]

Good video Rick. But I think you are wrong because you can't use a wide angle lens with a step-down ring. Though the first one will only work with cameras lower than 37 mm.

[@sirwhitecrayon2499]

I have the HFS20, get the Canon WD58 (not the W or H model). This one is designed for the Vixia HFS line. It's not cheap, but if you want top quality Japanese optics, it's worth it. It doesn't come with a lens hood, but you can track down the appropriate sized snap on pretty easily. Call Canon, they can sell you the snap on lens hood designed for GL2 kit.

[@roda2007MojoRodo]

@cammyammy I live in canada and ordered that exact same lens and it took about a month, so for you it might take 2 weeks to a month, depending where in the states you live.

[@lauratdrummer]

What is the name of lens that you put on that correctly fit your camera? Will it fit the canon 18 to 55mm lens?...Please help

[@rickvanman]

@cammyammy about 2 weeks from HK

[@hobocamptheater]

@petenicezz just make sure the lens thread size on the camera is equal to or smaller than the thread on the wide angle converter. Also, I recommend paying more than $30 at least to keep away from bad quality lenses.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

I'm affraid its a case of, like the mikes, you get what you pay for! To get a good apochromatic lens, one which doesn't give you the colour fringes, and one which doesn't give barrel distortion doesn't fit with low budget. It would have to be optically engineered to match the existing lens characteristics of the camcorder, therefore a better option would be to use a convertor from the camera manufacturer if you wanted distortion free images. If the lens is only for infrequent use - go for cheap.

[@twbrkfd1733]

Should note too the adapter is not rectilinear. It causes barrel distortion; sides at top and bottom of frame curve inward as does the top and bottom of the frame. A true wide angle rectilinear (also called zero-D) lens corrects this issue. Thanks for the video!

[@rickvanman]

@danielyen Panasonic NV-GS500

[@hobocamptheater]

okay I got it cleared up to use a lens adapter you have to use a step-up ring and step down rings only work in the number difference isn't too high (that being the case here)

[@dskater411]

totally agree on buying quality lenses and the edge blur is awful on that first one, but doesnt seem like you are comparing apples to apples. first looks like more of a fisheye lense, maybe a .42x, where as the second is much less wide, maybe a .5x and doesnt distort as much.

[@rickvanman]

Thanks for the info again - useful. Might be worth considering a manufacturer-made lense, as the actual camera lense is a Leica, so it would be nice to keep up the quality levels where possible. I'll make some enquiries. Cheers Rick

[@hobocamptheater]

@200415670 fisheye lenses are supposed to be wider without caring about distortion while wide angle lenses try to keep away from distortion and vignette (black corners/edges). the first lens wasn't a fisheye but it did have a fisheye effect because the kind of camera he uses is different than the kind of camera the lens was made for.

[@marcomolo]

thanks for the tips Rick. I've been wondering this for a while, now it makes sense. cheers

[@Zeeem99]

Thank you for that very useful video. I was going to purchase one for my Canon DSLR with a 58 mm lens tread that came supplied with an adapter. However I am now going to look for this lens converter that actually fits my lens. So thanks again.

[@TimRuffle]

Obvious question but were you comparing like for like there? The first lens appeared to give a wider angle which would make it more prone to distortion and vignetting (the keyhole effect). It looked like you were, for example, comparing a 0.3x with a 0.5x. Nice result from the second one mind- what make is it? I should get one. You're dead right about adaptor rings- if you can't find a lens that fits your camera filter get a bigger one and convert up to it.

[@rickvanman]

thanks for the comment - I think i was trying to make this exact point in the video :o)

[@GrahamHoughton12]

As well as the barrel distortion ( that curvature you see on your vid ) I also notice a lot of chromatic aberation, its not a disease but you will notice red edges to your arms as the cheap lens cannot focus the red, green and blue at the same image plain - hence if you shot light coloured objects they would all have this "glow" around the edges. Like your cheap radio mikes the only place for these adaptors is the bin - unless your desparate for a wide angle barrel shaped image. Great Vid though

[@EposEffekte]

A wide angle lens, and a fisheye lens are two completely different lenses. The first one you have is a fisheye, do you see how it curves lines, and blows proportion out of the water, a wide angle lens keeps them into proportion. A wide angle lens is used mostly for landscape photography. I use a fisheye, and a super wide .45x angle lens for landscape, I only use a fisheye for filming.

[@hristijank2]

@petenicezz not a bad idea... but before you buy it search if there is any test videos with that thing...

[@99neworleans]

I have a Bell & Howard projector 8 mm Don't know what model,, is it possible to take that lens apart and clean it, mine is cloudy and has smudges inside, thanks for your time and help

[@EthylOH]

Rick. I HOPE YOU'RE HAVING A GREAT DAY AS WELL!!!!

[@corentinoger]

On most camcorders, you can't remove the stock lens, so you have to use an adapter if you want to go wider...

[@billadmond9450]

The second lens shows a bit like fish eye so It is advisable to buy better wide angle lenses. And I didn't know that the ring adapter would show in the lens. Thanks for spending you time and for making this nice looking video tutorial.

[@zionite111]

Thanks alot, this is going to help me in the coming months when buying new equipment. Keep em coming :)

[@twalker294]

@noobsyb0t No, the cheaper one was wider but the vignetting (darkening of the edges,) was severe and the edge softness was hideous. The second one he showed was much better optically and didn't show any vignetting at all.

[@hobocamptheater]

you can use an adapter you just have to use an adapter that goes from a smaller thread size to a larger one the larger the thread size the smaller the view which is what caused the problem (your normal lens was wider than the wide angle converter)

[@rickvanman]

its a company on eBay called 'lensufo'

[@spanishbiker79]

thanks for the explanation, mine has the fussiness you show in the video. Do you have more details about the 2nd one: link or model, etc?

[@paulbrogden1950]

hello your right about what you said i was wondering if my 40.5mm thread could take a 37mm clearly based on what you said it wont.i have another question what if you go the other way round? an example would be a 52mm lens with a step down adapter to my filter thread which is 40.5mm? tried to get a wide angle lens thats goes beyond 0.45x but they are all bigger than my filter thread of 40.5mm thanks for your advice and by the way your video is good and well made is that finalcut pro i could see?

[@rickvanman]

Always glad to help a fellow fimmaker where I can - hope it proves useful :o)

[@aitoiguchi6156]

Ten years later, and still going! Loved the video, down to the music choice (put me in a happy and captivated mood). Lot of camera talk, especially today, is filled with so much jargon. It was nice to get a simple and concise explanation. I miss the camcorder days. Thank you for your video.

[@Eliana31205]

@DeathSkwid I do speak fluently Arabic, Hebrew,English & Spanish (a little bit of German, French & Italian too), English isn't the official language here( Hebrew & Arabic are) we study English at college & school. You can not compare between us, when in the States/UK the official language is English, to tell you the truth I read each comment before I post It & there is nothing wrong with my grammar, few mistakes like anyone still it doesn't give you the right to criticize me. Farewell friend;)!

[@rmstitanic8163]

Great video. Well explained. Very helpful. Thank you. 👍

[@rickvanman]

sorry - AAfilmproductions beat you to the old lense - see the video response to this video. Got the new one on eBay

[@lucianobaeta]

Hi! Rick. Can you tell me the name of the second adaptor, please? Or show me some links to buy it... And congratulations for the video!

[@Shingoskater411]

@AdioX321 No. It's called vig. Because it vignetting the video...

[@vh9network]

I had the fisheye problem with my Panasonic PV-GS320 using a 2X zoom lens. It turns out I forgot to remove the ring adapter that covers the cam's lens, this have to come off first before attaching the zoom lens. It screws right off, and the zoom lens screws right in.

[@Helmi_Farid]

Thanks for the video. Could you indicate the link or the name of the good lens. Thanks in advance :)

[@bahnxapsw8053]

i have a canon vixia hf20 camcorder. i want the second lens that you show it, how can i get one. and does it have a close up lens available for this wide angle lens?.

[@rickvanman]

@SvenOkonomi Afraid i dont have the eBayer name - it was years ago.

[@mayorterwilleger]

Of course you're going to get a black edge with a 43mm step down ring the wide angle lens is sitting further from the camera, it's like looking through a tube, I have a cheapo wide angle lens on my camera, aside from a bit of aberration around the edges the vision is perfect

[@felixdumoulin5029]

Im a skater and I kinda want the rings

[@mrwashur1991]

if youre going pro just get a 5d Mk II, then you can get any lens you want..and the quality is amazing

[@georgiabigfoot]

thanks for posting, potentially saved me some trouble over here in the states.

[@skateslick58]

actually your first lens that you show shows alot more of the room or work space then the second lens. The black curvs, yes i know you dont like them but there called a fisheye affect

[@e7sasjded]

Rick, what about red eye wide angle i have problem with this as well while zoming in or very close , the picture will be fuzzy as well btw red eye is cost usd 200

[@Jose-Sousa]

Aside of vignetting/shadowing and blurriness, other points are distortion and aberrations, some of those adapters are truly horrible. There is also wide angle with 'normal' projection and wide angle with fish eye projection, some fish eye adapters have the shadowing intended in their design and obviously distortion is intended to be there in a fish eye. However some fisheye lens (not adapters) for ILS don't have the shadowing, giving 180º FOV over the image diagonal.

[@voltairejohntan]

HI Guys, perhaps a Raynox HD-7000 PRO would solve the issue but this is quite expensive. I read lots of reviews and the photo quailty is superb according to owners. The thing is, it is not advertised it is compatible with DSLR camera's for Nikons. Pls check out youtube samples on this WA converter lens.

[@tinotrivino]

if you see outter rim it isnt bad, just zoom a little or in the edition part cut it...

[@paulofighters]

Hey man, great video. I can see the fuzziness around the edges on the image for sure.. I'm talking about the second lens.

[@christopherford9382]

All you need to do is 'unbend' (straighten out) the video using a Negative Setting in a 'fish eye' filter from a video editing package OR get the free 'GoPro video editor' which has a 1- click fix for 're-straightening video' (makes it look normal and 'non fish-eye' whilst saving as much visual info as possible, When done properly, the Black Rim will Disappear Out Of 'Frame' as the straightened video now fills the frame properly. ;)

[@guerrillastylefilms]

Thanks for this review. I feel much more prepared to buy one of these for my Canon HF500 now.

[@organmarine3193]

Thanks for this video, it was very helpful in many ways. The only thing is, when you talk about thicker or thinner: it looks as though the bottom bit should be detached when using the unit as a wide angle converter. It should only be used for macro; which is a totally different kettle of Cod! You could create a lot of useful videos, but may I suggest using a tripod for the camera. Well done anyway.