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/produ..._Telephoto.html

(the following two may be the same...)
http://www.amazon.com/TIFFEN-37MEGA...o/dp/B00005UKAE

http://www.tiffen.com/displayproduc...s&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-HD... QQcmdZViewItem ) 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.

Good luck.

Dennis

Ok great thanks for the link and info!