Customer Reviews

Raynox HD-5050 Pro High Definition Wide Angle Lens for Camcorders with a 37mm Thread, with 6 Adapter Rings,

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm a simi-pro videographer with high standards.

Overall, I'm disappointed with the Raynox. The sample I received is adequate for some non-critical work, but isn't good enough to be considered "high-definition" by anyone's standards.

The center 1/3 of the image is quite sharp. The next 1/3 out is softer but acceptable. The outer third is quite soft. The corners are terrible. Distortion is high with severe curvature of vertical lines near the edge of the frame. And chromatic aberration is very obvious and disturbing even in the center. Changing the F-stop makes very little difference in image quality.

I may keep it just for those situations where a .5X converter is the only lens that will work. But I'll never use it when my .7x Canon converter will do.

I was inclined to buy this lens for the good reviews I found and the claim that it is for High Defintion. But, after testing it with my Sony HDR-XR500V I must say that it does not keep up to the image quality of the Sony camcorder. It will save you on a situation of shooting in a small room, but its image quality everywhere except the center is too low for decent high definition video. When in fully wide, only the central third of the image is acceptable. The outer thirds are lousy quality. I would not recommend it.. it is expensive for what it delivers. It is just a little bit better than another one I have, the $30 Kenko SGW05 ...Kenko SGW-05 - Converter, which I only used with a Mini DV Sony camera. So, if you want a good quality wide angle, go with your camera to the shops and try them out. Take photos and later compare qualities. Once you find something good, let us know... I have not found a decent one yet

This is a very high quality lens. The price is not cheap but the quality is worth it. It fits perfetly on my 37mm Sony video camcorder.

Excellent, high quality wide angle lens, fit my Panasonic GS500 easily. Does vignette at wide angle on my camera, I crop out with photo editing software. No distortion or perimeter blurring through entire range. Very pleased, extends the capabilities of my camera many-fold.

This lense is BY FAR, the most valuable piece of gear for my little Canon Vixia HD camera. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten into a situation where I needed a wider perspective on my shot, but didn't want to distort the image. Without fail, this lense was there to save the shot. I never travel without it.