My Sony Wide Angle Lens – the VCL-HGE07TB – arrived this week and I spent my lunchtime today in Manchester trying it out.
I’ve put together a video comparing the normal camera lens against my original Magnetic wide angle lens solution and the official Sony one.
The Sony one is 0.7x and the Magnetic one is 0.45x (I think). After a few minutes of testing, the Sony solution was the obvious winner. It is definitely worth the extra cash despite the slight reduction in the width of the image compared to the magnetic lens.
The main difference is that with the Sony the whole image is useable without any vignetting in the corners. The vignetting on the Magnetic Lens is not visible on the camera’s LCD when filming – it only shows up when the footage is transferred for editing (the camera films more than it shows on its screen). This means that clips taken through the magnetic lens normally have to be reframed when editing (which takes extra time and effort)
The lens fits well (despite it being designed for the newer model) and stays firmly attached. The lens does seem to blur the footage slightly, so its probably best to only attach it when its really needed. It will be invaluable for indoor shots in confined spaces. On my next holiday I’ll probably clip it on automatically whenever I enter a building I’ll be filming in – like a museum or gallery.
In the video I label the footage as Normal, Magnetic Lens or Sony Lens – hopefully that’s self explanatory. For earlier posts about the magnetic lens and the Sony TG camera click here.
Thank you so much. Your comparison on the lenses has been invaluable. I appreciate youtaking the time.
By: Beverly Haase on July 23, 2009
at 5:50 pm
Thanks for the kind words- glad I could be of help.
By: Techmoan on July 23, 2009
at 8:09 pm
You say the sony lens tends to ….”blur the footage slightly”
Do you mean blur as in out of focus, or just not as distinct? Is it that noticeable? Other than that comment i am sold on the idea of getting one.
By: chas c on July 29, 2009
at 7:15 am
It’s just my perception that the footage seems a bit out of focus with the lens attached. I suggest you view the video (in HD) and see if you can spot it. I noticed it on the first clip especially – check out the number plates on the motorcycles starting at around 46 seconds in. The Sony lens does seem to make everything just a little bit softer.
By: Techmoan on July 29, 2009
at 7:46 am
Can you mount a filter (pola) to the front of the VCL-HGE07TB? And what is the approx. size of the front element?
many thanks, love your work.
By: Jeffrey Hogan on August 2, 2009
at 11:20 pm
Hi,
Unfortunately there is no way to attach a filter to the lens.
The glass is 35mm across.
Many thanks for your comment.
By: Techmoan on August 3, 2009
at 8:19 pm
Anyone found further low prices for the Sony wide angle lense above? (VCL-HGE07TB)
By: chas c on August 7, 2009
at 9:00 am
The footage is not so sharp with te wideangle because the TG 1/3 doesn,t have a option in the camera for wideangle like the TG7
By: hans on August 26, 2009
at 8:52 am
@ Techmoan, did you try manual focusing also ?
By: hans on August 26, 2009
at 8:59 am
No I must admit that I left it all in Auto. The slight softening of the image was only apparent when I put the footage on my laptop screen at home. Next time I’ll try manual focus when I am filming distant scenery and wide vistas. It’s only a minor problem – indoors I’d still choose to use the lens to gain the extra width over the slight reduction in sharpness.
By: Techmoan on August 26, 2009
at 11:11 am
@ Techmoan, i get my converter friday and i will try to film manual i think i will choose full focus in manual. Did you also watch the movie on Full hd Lcd ?
By: hans on August 26, 2009
at 12:32 pm
Just used my new TG7 for first time this week and was very disappointed with how narrow angle is, especially indoors.
Have been reading your helpful comments re Sony wide angle lens and think I will have to purchase one.
Can you advise where you bought this lens
please.
Many thanks, David
By: David on October 12, 2009
at 12:48 pm
I got my lens from a HK based seller on Ebay called chrisman2882
By: Techmoan on October 13, 2009
at 12:16 pm