Sony VCL-DEH17R 1.7x Tele End Conversion Lens for DSC-R1 Digital Camera

by Sony

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 4.7 x 2.6 inches ; 2.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000BOK4Z6
• Item model number: VCLDEH17R
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 18, 2005

Product Description

Manufacturer Description

Get in closer than ever with the VCL-DEH17R tele end conversion lens from Sony. Created especially for the DSC-R1 Cybershot digital camera, it provides a 1.7x optical zoom for amazing close up shots that capture every detail.

The VCL-DEH17R features a 3 group, 5 element design and is constructed from high quality plastic for superb durability. The high grade glass lens offers increased detail at the edge of an image for minimized distortion.

The VCL-DEH17R comes with a handy storage pouch and front and rear lens covers to keep it safe from harm when not in use.

What's in the Box:
Conversion lens, front lens cap, rear lens cap, and carrying pouch.

Product Description

Sony VCL-DEH17R Tele End Conversion Lens VCLDEH17R Lenses & Filters

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interchangeable lenses versus complementary, add-on lenses, that is the question., February 9, 2006

By 

Donal B. Botkin "View[ + ]Finder" (San Francisco) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony VCL-DEH17R 1.7x Tele End Conversion Lens for DSC-R1 Digital Camera (Electronics)

I have a DSC-R1 (see my other review) and have recently added the telephoto accessory lens from Sony to the toolbox. Oh, and its companion "adapter" too. This is not a cheap lens nor is it a lightweight one, but it seems to be a good one.

The front element of this baby is nearly 5" in diameter. What does that get you? No loss in f-stop to start with. That's right, the light-gathering ability of Sony's addition to the already phenomenal optics of the Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar costs nothing in terms of your ability to "paint with light". (On your credit card, is a different calculation may appear.) The size of the lens makes necessary the adapter "sidekick" mounting bracket. Why? Without it, the lens is unbalanced and, rather than a cheap screw-on extender, this allows the primary lens to gain a few elements to become a credible telephoto. It also has the advantage of allowing for the quick removal of the tele and use of the zoom on the primary lens with the adapter in place.

So you have a vision of running along the sidelines capturing every grimace on the quarterback's face as the defense floods over him? Not with this lens. Spring for the $8,000 Canon outfit, get two as you might get sacked yourself, and have an assistant to hand you your equipment. Hiking into the outback to capture the dawn mating of the Kookaburra? There are better choices. (Note to friends of the Kookaburra: I have seen one, and heard one, but have no actual experience with their reproductive practices.) On the other hand, if you occasionally need a bit more reach and can manage a tripod for mounting, then by all means pick one up.

And speaking of "picking one up", this lens can be hand-held and deliver acceptable results (better than using digital zoom or enlarging to get the same magnification), but only for nearly still subjects. For example, a yacht race from the race deck at the club. (My choice) The digital zoom (2x 120mm) at lower mega-pixels was good enough, but not great. A natural 200mm beats a stretched 120mm any day, which is what you get with the digital zoom alternative, but for fast shooting the combo may be too, shall we say "bulky".

Which brings me to my main point: why are we doing this? Photography I mean. If you see a camera a way to capture the visual poetry that your mind sees, then this camera and the combo will work for you, and you'll enjoy the experience. If you see a camera as a cool tool that makes a statement about who you are, well join the gear heads in the photo chat rooms and natter on about max-mega-pixel-mania and spurn the "point-and-shoot" in favor of a bag full of expensive interchangeable lenses. Frankly, some of the best photographs of all time have been captured on the spur of the moment, "point and shoot". With an excellent 24mm-120mm lens mounted on the camera, you'll get the shot 95% of the time. If you need to stretch you view a bit farther from time-to-time, by all means spend the $400 or so on this telephoto combo and look forward to some good photography.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Impressive, most impressive, July 7, 2006

By 

D. Gordon (NYC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sony VCL-DEH17R 1.7x Tele End Conversion Lens for DSC-R1 Digital Camera (Electronics)

I have to agree with the previous poster, this lens is very impressive. The pictures of this item do not represent how big this lens actually is. This thing is massive and heavy, yet you definately can wield it without a tripod. Makes a great addition to an already amazing camera. Much better than using the digital zoom by itself, but then, digital zoom combined with this lens is equal to about 400mm. The lens comes in a padded SONY drawstring bag with caps for ends. Definately recommended.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sony Tele-converter for R-1, August 10, 2007

By 

Marc McDonald (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony VCL-DEH17R 1.7x Tele End Conversion Lens for DSC-R1 Digital Camera (Electronics)

This is a fine addition for someone who is generally happy with the zoom range of the R-1 and wants a lens to occasionally extend its reach.

Here's the down side. The lens weighs over two pounds and is slow to mount and dismount. It took me just under two minutes to go from the bag to assembled and ready to shoot. A tripod or some other sort of stabilization is a must, because you now have a huge five-pound camera once this lens is mounted.

Even with all of the bad stuff, the lens quality is nothing short of outstanding and the fit and quality of assembly are also quite good. It's not going to turn your R-1 into a great wildlife camera, but it is capable of producing prints that are equal to the camera's native performance. That can't be said for any of the Chinese accessory lenses for the R-1 that are being sold on the web as a cheaper alternative. If you can afford nearly $400 for the lens and the mount and have found yourself wishing to be able to capture a distant landscape every now and then, this lens is the ticket.