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 04/13/2004 07:59:10 PM · #1
I know I've asked this before but there are a few things I'm confused about. What I really want to buy are:

- a lens for zooming in very far on distant objects (like one of those telescope things that the camera clips on to) and

- a lens for enlarging macro shots.

What I'm not sure about is whether one lens could do both of these things (I assume, no) and whether the extra lens's zoom would be multiplied by the built-in 5x zoom of my camera, at least where focus can be achieved. E.g. 5 x 20 = 100x zoom, or just 1 x 20 = 20x.

I also don't know anything about the different makes of lens, e.g. "Sigma" which everyone seems to talk about, and what lenses fit what cameras, and if I am limited to just buying Sony lenses because my camera is made by Sony.
 04/13/2004 08:04:46 PM · #2
There is such an enormous variety of lenses available, you probably can find almost anything you want.
I have one lens that is 22X zoom (made by Fuji) and still does a decent macro.
Sigma has been in business a very long time and make a high quality product. Bear in mind that great lenses cost BIG BUCKS!
 04/13/2004 08:08:11 PM · #3
Most of the lenses people talk about are for DSLR cameras which have no lens to start with (therefor no built-in zoom) and would not fit on your 717. You can get teleconverters which are 1.8 x your 5x or 2.0 x your 5x but I dont know if they go any higher. Also you can get close-up filters for your camera, but not macro lenses as such.

Please correct me if i'm wrong all you smart people out there :)

edit: just annoying spelling mistakes :P

Message edited by author 2004-04-13 20:11:54.
 04/13/2004 08:10:58 PM · #4
you should go check out the Sony Talk forum at Dpreivew.com Sony Talk

many people over there with a 7x7 have done some crazy stuff for expanding the zoom capabilities and macro capabilities of the 7x7 cameras

but im sure many here will have some great advice

James
 04/13/2004 08:21:00 PM · #5
Teleconverters for most digital cameras are available, up to 5X. But teleconverters above 2X tend to vignette rather badly.
I have a Kenko 3X that not only vignettes the image, but also has considerable chromatic aberration, almost worthless.
 04/13/2004 08:25:15 PM · #6
Squirrel: your camera has a fixed lens, so you can't purchase a "better" or "different" lens that would attach to the body (as with a digital SLR such as a D70 or 10D). However, and I think this is what you're referring to in your question, you can get add-on lenses that screw onto the filter ring at the front of the camera.

These add-ons do work pretty much as advertised, but they soak up some of the light that hits the CCD to make the image. In other words, if you want to manually control the camera, you will notice that with the telephoto add-on, you'll have to make a longer exposure or open the apeture more. Some folks will point out that since you're adding more glass to the light path, that the image quality/sharpness will suffer. Personally, I think, big deal.... if it lets you get the shot you want at full-frame resolution instead of trying to blow it up in Photoshop, you're ahead of the game.

Other downsides are that sometimes they hamper the camera's ability to focus automatically, forcing you to focus manually -- which may be a problem if your camera doesn't offer manual focus. Also, the glass isn't generally of the highest quality and may suffer from flare if you shoot into a bright light.

Clearly, the camera manufacturers add-on lenses (sometimes called "Telephoto/ Wide Angle/ or Macro/ attachments" will be of decent quality and you'd have some assurance that it will work with your camera. There are a multitude of third-party manufacturers that will sell you generic attachments for much less $$$. You should be able to buy one based on the filter size of your camera.
 04/13/2004 08:29:10 PM · #7
here is the sony tele conversion lens


this is the Wide end conversion lens


these are my lenses, but am selling them on ebay since I dont use them anymore since I got the D60

notice the difference in setting the white ballance correctly

James

Message edited by author 2004-04-13 20:30:00.
 04/14/2004 09:33:11 AM · #8
Thank you all very much for your answers - you've made things much easier to understand. There are a few thins I'm still not sure about, though (aren't there always?)

If I buy a lens that is considerably too wide for my camera, and then get a thread converter (e.g. 70mm -> 58mm) will this cause only the central part of the big lens to be used and therefore bypass the edge distortions, or will the full area still be used?

Is a teleconverter suitable for macro shots? Is a teleconverter at all comparable to a "mini" version of one of the large telescope tripod things?

What is the name of the kind of lens that you use to greatly magnify macro shots? (E.g. people who take pictures of insects' eyes.) With the F717 you can already almost touch the object to the lens and stay in focus, so some sort of magnifier is what I'm looking for.

04/14/2004 10:29:27 AM · #9
To take macro-shots I dont think you need anything extra for your Sony. You have a lens where you can zoom in and there is a macro-setting on your camera.
I´m no expert in thease things and there are many more capable on this site to answere your questions than I am but I have a feeling that you dont have very deep understanding on different cameras and things related to photography. I would advice you to go to the library or a book shop and get some book´s about general things related to photograpy.
But looking at your portfolio you seem to have some talent and please continue taking pictures and take part in the discussions on this site.
 04/14/2004 12:02:52 PM · #10
You've completely correct in that I don't know much about cameras and related subjects. It might be that my only option now is to find some reading material on lenses and not stop until I know what you know. My main problem is that, despite many hours spent searching through internet pages, there is not a place I have yet found that starts just with the basics.

It does not say "If you want a device for zooming in objects a minimum of x metres away, up to y times magnification, then you'll need one of these. The specifications are...the ones that magnify most are...the ones that distort the least are...here is a comparison chart of..."

There are some really good sites, but none that are to lenses what DPReview is to cameras. For example, the sites listing high magnification scopes that I've been looking at compare one or two products and give some details and maybe some information on distortion and a couple of sample photographs. What I was really looking for was a comparison of maybe 20 scopes, all with sample images. If there is no such site, then fair enough, I can ask people questions instead.


04/14/2004 12:03:11 PM · #11
So far, the scopes that seem most attractive to me are:

CrystalVue Optics Sharp Shooter

Celestron 60mm Pro Zoom (actually, not sure if this is easily compatible with a camera)

ebay item "Seben Giant 20-60 Ultra Zoom x 80 New Spotting Scope"

Seben Razor II

Seben HZS II

I'd be very interested to know what people think of these scopes (especially "Seben Giant", as I can't find any additional information about this particular scope - not even on seben.com).

There is also a small amount of information at ckcpower.com.

---
Edit 1: hyperlink fixed

P.S. No wonder I could not find "Seben Giant" outsife of ebay - the seller had misspelt it. The real name is "Seben Gigant"...

Message edited by author 2004-04-14 20:39:50.
 04/14/2004 08:23:15 PM · #12
*Bump*

P.S. Yes, I ask too many questions, but I am tired of seemingly being the most ignorant person in the world!
 04/14/2004 08:53:09 PM · #13
For example, what do all of the numbers mean in this Sigma lens:

120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO IF HSM Pro Lens
 04/14/2004 10:36:29 PM · #14
Originally posted by dsidwell:
For example, what do all of the numbers mean in this Sigma lens:

120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO IF HSM Pro Lens


Focal length/aperture (low numbers = large aperture/ lenses with large aperture are often referred to as 'fast' lenses versus 'slow' ones with a lower aperture rating )

EX= (according to Sigma) 'The exterior of this lens is EX-finished to denote its high quality and enhance its appearance.'

APO= employment of low dispersion glass designed to minimize colour aberration

IF=inner focus (and according to Sigma): 'Equipped with a system that moves the inner lens group or groups without changing the lens' physical length'

HSM=hyper-sonic motor (a quiet, high-speed motor driven by ultra-sonic waves)

Pro Lens= high performance

Message edited by author 2004-04-14 22:37:13.
 04/14/2004 10:54:59 PM · #15
Originally posted by SquirreI:
*Bump*

P.S. Yes, I ask too many questions, but I am tired of seemingly being the most ignorant person in the world!


Your not ignorant at all. This is very informitive to me. I did not even know you could change out the lense...so its a great post. :)
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