Kodak Zi8 Wide Angle Lens MOD

Kodak Zi8 Wide Angle Lens MOD.

I bought my lens from New World Video Direct based out of NY, USA. I ended up on their website after scouring the internet for the popular Sunpak "CAL-1030kit" universal lens kit:
(read: this lens is NOT as good as the one I purchased that is linked below)
http://www99.shopping.com/xPO-Sunpak-Sunpak-CAL-1030-37mm-0-5x-Wide-Angel

However EVERYONE is out of them. The rep at NWV told me that Sunpak needed to fabricate more; they too were also out of those kits. The rep suggested an alternative lens that they had which was a wider lens (.45x vs .50x) and of a higher build quality with better optics. I made sure that they had the "step rings" in various sizes which they included in my order.

Here is a link to the page:
(The lens pictured is NOT a photo of the actual lens you will receive as you can see from my slideshow)

http://www.newworldvideodirect.com/productdetail.asp?ProductID=1503

It is NOT $99 as the page says; I paid $29.00 USD.
They threw in 4 "step rings" for free; 25-37mm, 27-37mm, 30-37mm, 30.5-37mm. The 25-37mm is the one you want/need for the Zi8. The rest are useless.

This lens also has threads on the 37mm (front) side for other types of lens filters!

Shipping was about $6 for USPS Priority to California. Surprisingly I received the pkg in just 3 days!

For lack of my own video (which I intend to create when I mod my friend's Zi8) Check this video for the basic concept of how I did my mod (done on a Flip UltraHD with standard, wide, and telephoto lens example footage)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZN_UYPhwpM

The things I did differently are:
-Roughed up the raised plastic area around the Zi8 lens with a Dremel (tape up the Zi8 lens so you don't get debris in/on it) ALSO roughed up the INNER edge of the 25mm side of the mounting ring to promote solid adhesion.

-Used EPOXY instead of run-of-the-mill Krazy glue. These lenses aren't light as a feather, and I don't want it to break off without MUCH effort. Needless to say, with the grinding and the use of REAL glue, my lens is _not_ coming off easily. I actually use it as a handle now of sorts cradling the lens between my index and middle fingers. Helps for more stable footage.

-I spread the epoxy around the roughed up area on the Zi8 chassis around the lens CAREFULLY so as not to get any on the black ring around the lens itself. (Use 2-part or thicker type epoxy so you don't make a mess) Set the lens adapter-ring in place, and centered it as best as possible. Give it a few minutes for the epoxy to become tacky, then CAREFULLY fill in the area INSIDE the smaller 25mm opening of the ring (pictured). I used a toothpick for this. So now there is epoxy on the inside/top of the union of the body and the lens adapter, as well as on the outside/bottom. Depending on the epoxy you used, let dry/cure for the appropriate amount of time, and that's it!

I have yet to see any wide-angle footage from a Zi8, or any pictures of one modded. So maybe this is the first :)

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Kodak
• Zi8
• Wide
• Angle
• Lens
• Mod
• DIY

[marcioddf]

WOW, I loved this sound...

[onesiccaprilia]

@marcioddf Thanks! So do I :)

[Bielcarbon]

My lens are absolutly identical to yours, 0.45x wide. Are you with the same problem?

[onesiccaprilia]

@Bielcarbon I don't think i have any problems like that with my lens on. Do you have any videos on YT that show what you're talking about? You can PM me the link.

[Bielcarbon]

Hey Man, how are you?

I have a question for you, what can I do for eliminate the blur in the edges when I put my Lens mod in my zi8?

[onesiccaprilia]

@Bielcarbon I don't know for sure, but what you sound like you're describing is Vignetting (look it up on wikipedia) I think it will be different depending on the lens's dimensions/specifications, but it has to do with the fact that you're adapting up to a much larger lens from a relatively small lens/photosensor on the Zi8. You might just have to deal to some extent..

[WWoodyW]

so why don't you show video taken with that on it?

[upajos]

This video is better with the sound muted.

[marce002b]

jajajaj and the footage to show us how do it perform with the lensss?????

[RandomKidsRule]

I just listened to this song on my headphones, ITS AWESOME! Why not change the title of this video to the name of the song?

[swagguy1]

Somehow...... I'm aroused

[tobaaco]

Funkadelic - Maggot Brain

[basketballtuohy]

cool but it kind of defetes the purpose of a pocket camera.

[ThisIsNaZTV]

I Got this lens and shot a few music videos for it. It's actually worth it and I didn't have to spend that much on it either.

[InpulseHD]

Hey man, Nice video.

I was wondering, what size step up/adapter ring did you use?

I have the same camera but didnt know if i should buy 25-37mm adapter ring?

the smallest one you can get or not.

Please Reply.

[PinoyAbnoy]

johnny ramones's the one playing the guitar