Sanyo Xacti HD700 with CHEAP wide angle adapter II

[leanjhuls]

does it take pictures like that even in low light? Or it became grainy. I seriously wanted to buy one for my next project, but I'm weighing between HD1010 and the older HD700 which is what you have. Please reply.

[VisorBlue]

Low light requires higher ISO. Higher ISO on most small sensor cameras can get grainy (noisy actually since there's no film grain in digital) quite quickly. Can't say how the HD1010 is. There's others as well that are better suited to low light shooting. Some of the new DSLRs with HD video do a good job in low light. Search for Canon Rebel T2i (550D in non-US).

[dinoalberini]

thanx! just what I needed.

[VisorBlue]

Glad it helped.

[oceanset12b]

Well, I found out, according someone, it needs to be stuck on. It's a small price to pay for a convenient lens. But I can't put it on something that might get returned.. But will keep this in mind.

Today I'm testing an HD700 vs HD100, and it seems that the HD100 might look better, but has less features than the 700. The fov of the 100 is better (larger) as well. I just wish Sanyo would get it right. The 1000/1010's lense is too large, making it hard to choose.

[VisorBlue]

My replies aren't taking for some reason, third attempt. You can use the magnetic lenses on the HD700 without the ring but the hold isn't as strong. Sudden movements or bumping into someone or something will dislodge the lens quite easily. Since there's no threads on the HD700 you have little choice. I modified the ring for mine by cutting it so it allowed the lens cap to be on as not block the flash. I'd look at the Canon HV30 over the HD1010, more camera for the money, awesome quality images.

[VisorBlue]

I altered the pictures of my setup to show how I altered the ring for mine. Click on "more info" in the upper right and then on the click on "Pictures of the setup are here:" to see what I did.

[wonkyhamster]

@oceanset12b can you attach this wide angle lens to the HD100? It does have a square lens but does that matter that much as the lens is glued on anyways.

[oceanset12b]

Hi, visorblue. I read about the pheonix like you mentioned. It says it's magnetic, however describes these rings that are to be glued onto the camera, or attached by peeling a sticker off etc. Then the lens is attracted to the rings (I think). I was hoping to not have to glue a ring to the camera. Did you have to do this or does it stick without these rings, or adhesive? Can you answer soon because I'm trying to get this for a gift. thanks :-) btw your reviews are good...

[VisorBlue]

Follow-up: I got my lens from Amazon but have heard they're almost impossible to find now.

However, if you search ebay for "m-power 0.45x" (without the quotes) and click on the "Include title and description" box under "Find" you should find some similar ones -- I have not tested any others myself so you're on your own!

You want the LARGE version as the small one vignettes, at least the Phoenix M-Power 0.45x Small one vignettes. Good luck!

[jtrinidad07]

more questions for ya! sorry to bother, but in reviewing your test videos, i decided to purchase one. love it, but i can't view the hd-shq mpeg4 files on my laptop (running vista). the tv-shq files will run smooth, but then it's not hd. do you have this problem? what are your computer specs? when editing, did you convert to avi (ends up being a huge file!) how big did this 2:39 clip end up being? (a 1:49 clip for me ended up being 330mb as an avi!) any suggestions would help tremendously!

[jtrinidad07]

I'm in the same boat as the others. I can't find this wide angle lens on ebay or amazon! There are other manufacturers that are on ebay and other websites, and the lenses look almost identical to this Phoenix Lens. Do you know if they will produce the same quality?

[VisorBlue]

Sorry, I've never tried any others than the one I have so I can't say what the quality will be like. All I can suggest is see if there's a return policy and maybe get one and try it out to see how you like it. Good luck!

[MikeTheDecoy]

Is there a manufacturer website anywhere??

[downfader2]

Really great examples, cheers for sharing!

:-D

[Gorskino]

Really need this now but cant find it in UK :(,any other makes that fit thats quite cheap too

[KAMikaziiKid]

i hav same problem.

its unavailable on amazon for whatver reason.. 0_0

[aftabxt]

I really like the informative vids. I have just bought a HD700 and was wondering if this lens reduces quality at all?

[VisorBlue]

Technically, yes, ANY lens, filter, etc. added on will degrade the image quality. However, I doubt you'd see it unless you were using a LARGE HDTV and looking hard to see a difference -- even then I'm not sure you'd see anything, then some people can flaws in fly wings. If your audience notices a difference they're either too close or bored. :-)

Look at my notes and visit the Vimeo and stills pages and see what you think.

[beghilhorst]

Thanks a lot for the video! I'm still in doubt between a 0.6x lens or a lens at gives an even wider angle. There's no noticable distortion with your lens, it's looks awesome.

[VisorBlue]

The lens is not bad at all, I like it. My favorite feature is that it's magnetic as the HD700 has no threads or other way of adding a lens.

[beghilhorst]

Just received a Bower 0.45x 30mm lens today since a magnetic lens wouldn't stick to my camcorder. It has quite some barrel distortion which is kinda disappointing. Not sure if it's my camera though (Sony DCR-HC37 camcorder). So that's a disadvantage of ordering something online..

[VisorBlue]

Your camera has a SERIOUSLY long optical zoom range to start with, 40x, WOW!

A buddy and I have the same camera, Canon HV30, and both bought 0.7x lenses for them. He bought the cheapest one he could get and I found a used Sony VCL-HG0758 cheap on ebay. We paid about the same but the lens quality is drastically different. His lens distorts a LOT and the edges are soft and mine almost not at all with sharp edges. He hates his and I love mine. Good luck!

[narox]

you videos are very informative.

[enntoxx]

thanks for the up, great choice for content :||

[justinaurelius]

How about some close ups of the bleach blonde at 1:24!

Just kidding...

[VisorBlue]

I purchased it from Amazon. See the About This Video for more info.

[benw03]

Do you agreed that it is the weakest point of HD 700..not retains a place to hook add-on lens since the original lens not WIDE enough.

[norman8823]

Where did you purchase the Phoenix add-on lens? It definitely makes a difference!