Customer Reviews

Sony VCL-DH2630 Telephoto Conversion Lens for Compatible Cybershot Digital Cameras

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Several things you need to know before you decide to buy this lens:

1. It requires the VAD-WA conversion adapter in order to fit onto the Sony DSCP73/93/100/150 & DSCW1 Digital Cameras for which it was designed. That's another $25 or so.

2. These Sony cameras have a zoom capability, but since the VCL-DH2630 telephoto conversion lens is attached to the adapter and not directly to the zoom lens itself, the view you get as the zoom lens pulls back into a wider field of view is that of a round porthole, not the full picture frame. You only get the full frame picture when the zoom lens is extended maximally. Thus, on my DSCW1 camera, the telephoto converter has an effective magnification of 3 x 2.6 or 7.8x total. This is equivalent to a 296.4mm telephoto lens for standard 35mm film cameras. So this is essentially a fixed 300mm telephoto lens. Note: shooting your camera at the maximum zoom will set the aperture at the smallest opening, which for the DSCW1 is an aperture of 5.2.

3. There are no threads on the 40mm front end of this telephoto lens. So no way to put a protective lens cover or lens filter on.

4. You also won't need any 30mm lens filters for the VAD-WA adapter. The VCL-DH2630 screws directly onto the VAD-WA. Unless you buy the whole set of three Sony lenses, you might as well keep the two pieces together.

5. The minimum focusable distance increases to approximately 10-12 feet (about 5-6 feet in Macro mode) with this telephoto lens attached.

On the plus side, this is about the only way to get a tiny palm sized point and shoot digital camera like the DSCW1 to shoot telephoto pictures. The photos are quite sharp with little distortion.

I used to love to shoot telephoto pictures with my Pentax 35mm SLR, using a Soligor 85-300mm zoom lens. Then one day I accidentally dropped the lens, and it didn't focus anymore. By then, with three kids in the family, it didn't make sense to lug a heavy camera around for family photos, and I got used to using this Olympus point and shoot 35mm camera that had a telephoto zoom lens.

You could certainly get one of the larger and more expensive digicams with interchangeable lenses, or something like the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20K with 12x zoom. But, besides being larger and more expensive, all of these other digicams use proprietary lithium batteries, which I hate, because they are just death for spontaneous family photos (lithium batteries are never charged when you need them!).

First and foremost, I wanted to get the best point and shoot camera that runs on AA batteries currently on the market, and this, IMHO, is the Sony DSCW1. Second, I wanted the ability to take telephoto shots, and Sony is one of the few that even makes telephoto lenses for their point and shoot digicams. So for all of the flaws that I pointed out about this telephoto lens, it's still a pretty good accessory for the DSCW1.

I just got the Sony DSC-W7 before the Holidays. After I opened the box, I realized that I could adapt a Telephoto lens and a Wide Angle lens made by sony, with the VAD adapter. And other lenses on the market with a 30mm thread.

The Telephoto lens is a good lens, but it is true that at wide position, all you see is a pinhole, so this lens really does not work until you have it at 3x zoom, up to 7.2. Also, you do need to have a steady hand or a tripod to take sharp pictures; when steady the lens gives off high quality pictures...The 0.7 wide angle lens works really nice too...

The one negative I have with this lens, it is a bit expensive. After I brought it, I realized that with the adapter I could fit other 30mm lenses on the market that were much cheaper, for example: I found a 2x lens by "Cokin" at Best-Buy with a 30mm thread, made for camcorders and fitted the lens to the VAD adapter with a step up ring included with the lens and it works great and it was only $37 bucks, though it did not come with lens caps.

The Sony 2.6x telephoto is a nice lens and it will allow you to get closer to the action, but is a bit expensive.

Although the build quality is excellent, when used with my DSC-P200 there is a keyhole effect until the camera is set to around 2x zoom or above. This is a real disappointment as I had hoped for the zoom to be multiplied over the whole range. Despite this it works well at the higher zoom levels, though on reflection I should have bought a digital SLR and kept the P200 for what it is really intended - point and shoot...

This lens is perfect.....yes, some people complained in reviews about the fish eye effect but when you zoom out, your image is much closer and the picture is as clear and sharp as if the extra lens wasn't on it. The adaptor is a smooth attachment to both it and the camera. I'm quite pleased with the extra option this will give me when taking pictures with my Sony DSC-W7 (which I love any way). Amazon is also great....quick and prompt with their package shipment.

Bought this Sony product hoping to get closer to far away subjects. This lens is not to use without a tripod due to the narrow field of view and prone to shaking. Quite disappointed by the results if you intend to use it for shooting moving objects (slow autofocus + lens too sensitive to movements = blurry photos). Unfortunately, I do not see alternatives for the Sony W1.

As far as lenses for an inexpensive digital point and shoot, this one does the trick. It's certainly not a phenomenal lens by any means, but it does provide a slightly better range than the camera itself. It's not going to get you Nat'l Geographic quality images, but it's okay for the camera series its made for. Simply put, it'll get you a bit closer, but if you want true telephoto quality at greater distances, you should get a good digital SLR with a good telephoto lens. Just be cautious of your expectations of this lens, and keep in mind its, and the camera's, limitations.

Went to South Africa on safari in NOV-06 and was obviously concerned about taking shots of animals that were at distance. Being a novice at taking photos I had purchased a few years back a SONY cybershot camera and had been pretty happy with the photos I had taken with it. Prior to my safari trip I did some research and came to the conclusion that I had 2 options (as info' I found on the WWW stated that you should take at a minimum a 30mm capable camera with you). Options were purchase SONY lens for approx $100 or spend potentially $1000+ on a decent SLR digitial camera. I bought the SONY lens and it was a life safer great purchase as the photos came out great and it was easy to use. Don't get me wrong after the trip I was thinking SLR and next time I will buy one but given that I didn't then this was a sweet deal given the price no complaints at all.

NOTE well to use this lens you must also buy a Sony VAD-WA Conversion Lens Adapter.

This one excellent accessory to my Sony Digital Cam.
I was shopping for a much more expensive Digital SLR until I realized that it was possible to add a zoom to my medium priced one.

Previously I purchased a cheap generic telephoto lens for my dsc-w5. What a waste of money.. So, after purchasing this lens I was very satisfied. It is a high quality lens. Comparing the photos with the cheap lens and then this lens told me it well worth the money to purchase the Sony lens.. Note: This lens is for outdoor use only..as using it in low light conditions will cause a dark flare in the lower region because the lens blocks part of the flash.

I bought this lens and the wide angle lens for my Sony W50 before leaving for Switzerland. Yes, the lens does require you zoom in to 2x or greater, but isn't that why you bought it? The image quality is excellent. It really brought the mountains (you should see the pics I took of The Matterhorn!) close up. Very glad I purchased this lens. I've got no complaints.