37mm Telephoto Lens...

Hi. I have a Sony HVR-A1U hi-def camcorder. I got a package when I bought it, and so it included a wide angle lens. However, I would also like a Telephoto lens. My UV filter and Wide Angle lens are 37mm, and I would assume I would need a 37mm telephoto lens.

I did some short research and came across these:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/279241-REG/Canon_8835A001_TL_H37_37mm_1_5x_Telephoto.html

(the following two may be the same...)
http://www.amazon.com/TIFFEN-37MEGATELE-37mm-MegaPlus-Telephoto/dp/B00005UKAE

http://www.tiffen.com/displayproduct.html?tablename=tiffenaccessories&itemnum=00190

Any recommendations? Is Tiffen a good brand? Should I try to get a Sony lens being that I own a Sony? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!


- Keith

EDIT: I also came across a Merkury Optics HD telephoto lense (i saw it on this ebay page: http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-HVR-A1U-HDV-Camcorder-1GB-2-Lens-Pkg-ONLY-2-195_W0QQitemZ290153234002QQihZ019QQcategoryZ122611QQcmdZViewItem ) Thoughts?

ANOTHER EDIT: Found the Merkury Optics website: http://www.merkuryinnovations.com/

How often do you plan to use it, and how much do you have to budget for it?

If it's something you only use on a blue moon, you could probably get away with the cheap ones found in places like Circuit City or Best Buy...

Something you need to consider... Most of these tele-converters can only be used at the telephoto end of the zoom. You do not get to convert, say, a 5-50mm 10X zoom into a 10-100mm 10X zoom. Instead you get 5-50mm (no converter) and 100mm (with converter). The reason is that, with the camera at wide-angle end, the light rays hit the inside of the converter, giving you a dark ring around the subject.

Some are designed for use through-out the zoom range, but they, 1) will be more expensive and 2) probably require a camera with a small front lens element but large filter ring diameter.

Now... presuming the camera makers use the same optical design for all their cameras using a given filter diameter, it /is/ possible that they can design a converter that is better optimized to their lenses, vs having to design one with general compatibility... For example, if a camera maker using lenses that are 25mm in diameter of the front element, and positioned 12mm behind the filter ring, they can design a converter that puts its rear element maybe 10mm behind the filter ring -- more tightly coupled than a converter that only extends, say, 2mm behind the filter ring to be used on a camera that only has a 3mm drop from filter to lens element... The latter would also have to be closer to full filter diameter to allow for use on a lens that doesn't have a big difference between element diameter and filter diameter.

The Tiffen (and if you read the commentary on Amazon, you have to be careful of mislabeled shipments) would be a generic adapter... The Canon /might/ be optimized for Canon lenses.

Tiffen is generally a good brand for filters. I don't know about teles. But one thing I would recommend. Do not get any converter, tele or wide angle, for a high def cam that isn't rated for high def. The quality of adapters for high def cams must be much higher quality than for standard def. You have a much higher resolution and any imperfection in the adapter will magnified to that higher resolution.

It might be a good idea to look at the Sony's and see what's available. Also try our sister site dedicated to Sony high def cams (http://www.sonyhdvinfo.com/).

Good luck.

Dennis

Tiffen is generally a good brand for filters. I don't know about teles. But one thing I would recommend. Do not get any converter, tele or wide angle, for a high def cam that isn't rated for high def. The quality of adapters for high def cams must be much higher quality than for standard def. You have a much higher resolution and any imperfection in the adapter will magnified to that higher resolution.

It might be a good idea to look at the Sony's and see what's available. Also try our sister site dedicated to Sony high def cams (http://www.sonyhdvinfo.com/).

Good luck.

Dennis


Ok great thanks for the link and info!