Wide-Angle Converters

[mrobledot]

I'm considering a wide-angle converter as a possible solution to the D-60's 1.6 Focal Length Multiplier. According to my math, a .6X WA Converter would do.

Otherwise the 22.4mm equivalent from a 14mm Fisheye is as wide as it can get with the D-60.

Some manufacturers (Canon, Kenko, etc..) offer WA Converters for digi-video cameras.

Does anyone have any experience with these converters?

[lazoj]

You will have a hard time finding a converter to work. Most of the WA converters are designed for digital cameras and camcorders, both with fairly small filter threads. Most 35mm lenses will be to large for the use of the converter. The use of step down rings will only result in vignetting. Another point is that the quality of these lenses will only degrade the glass that is already on your D60.

[mrobledot]

lazoj wrote:
You will have a hard time finding a converter to work. Most of the WA converters are designed for digital cameras and camcorders, both with fairly small filter threads. Most 35mm lenses will be to large for the use of the converter. The use of step down rings will only result in vignetting. Another point is that the quality of these lenses will only degrade the glass that is already on your D60.

There are a couple of converters that use the 58mm thread that is most common in Canon Lenses. As for the quality and additional glass, this is a concern, but as I see it, it is the only option for getting very wide i.e. sub-20mm shots.

[lazoj]

mrobledot wrote:
a couple of converters that use the 58mm thread that is most common in Canon Lenses. As for the quality and additional glass, this is a concern, but as I see it, it is the only option for getting very wide i.e. sub-20mm shots.

Which Canon lenses are you looking at? There are definately no wide angles, whort of the 22-55 that are 58mm. The 24-85 is a 67mm.


If you want the highest quality wide shots. 6+ megapixels. with full sharpness throughout the entire frame, I would avoid the converters and simply shoot two or three shots and stitch them together. You will end up with a huge file filled with resolution and keep sharpeness and minimize distortion and perspective problems. Use a good prime, 24mm 28mm 35mm and throw a few together.

People think that it is hard to stitch, just make sure to tripod mount, use man. exposure.

[Matti J]

To get super wide shots without stitching, you can rely on fisheye lenses: Sigma 8 mm (circular fisheye), Sigma 15 mm (diagonal fisheye) or Canon EF 15 mm (diag. fish.). With these you get highly distorted but very wide angle shots with 1.6 crop factor too. None of them is in "L" class either. But you don't have to stitch!

Sigma's and Canon's 14 mm (22,4 mm effective) lenses do quite well in the wide area and are far better quality-wise.