NicoNYC 0 #1 July 14, 2004 1. Do you think it's overkill to go with a camera condom and a D-Box? Should I just stick with the D-Box instead. 2. Also, I know that cookie composites makes a D-box for this called a black box. It's way too expensive man. I could go with this D-box but isn't there a cheaper D-Box out there for the PC109? The specs for the PC109 is: W:2", D:3.8", H:3.9" 3. Also, in reference to Wide angle lenses, help out a fellow ignorant brother understand this. Cookie composites sells the .29x wide and .45x wide for the same price, $199. Is the higher number wider or is the lower number wider? 4. I saw a .45x wide diamond cut lens w/macro for the same price. Will the diamond cut or macro benefit me in any way? 5. According to CNET's specs on the PC109, the filter size is 30mm. The filter size for the diamond cut wide angle lens is 25mm. Will the 25mm filter fit on the PC109 if the filter size is 30mm? 6. Do I need a UV filter for this camera? 7. What the heck is a step down ring? Thanks a bunch in advance for helping me out. When I film my first 400 big way, I'll give you guys some kudos. How many hits of adrenaline can you take? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #2 July 14, 2004 Quote 1. Do you think it's overkill to go with a camera condom and a D-Box? Should I just stick with the D-Box instead. Yes. More than being overkill, it's a pain in the ass to insert the camera into the D-Box with a condom on it. The condom always bunches up. Quote2. Also, I know that cookie composites makes a D-box for this called a black box. It's way too expensive man. I could go with this D-box but isn't there a cheaper D-Box out there for the PC109? Bonehead's D-boxes are a lot cheaper than Cookie Composites, but obviously more hassle since you live overseas. Their medium size fits the PC9. http://www.boneheadcomposites.com/cammount.htm Quote3. Also, in reference to Wide angle lenses, help out a fellow ignorant brother understand this. Cookie composites sells the .29x wide and .45x wide for the same price, $199. Is the higher number wider or is the lower number wider? The lower number is wider. The widest I've seen is the .3 $199 seems really cheap for the .3, but really quite expensive for a .45. In America, you can get a .45 for around $60. Quote 4. I saw a .45x wide diamond cut lens w/macro for the same price. Will the diamond cut or macro benefit me in any way? Probably not. I've never heard of a "diamond cut lens".... Nor do I know what "macro" means on a video conversion lens. As far as I know, the "Macro" feature would normally be built into the camera, not on the conversion lens....? I have a .5 Kenko lens that does close up shots just fine... Quote 5. According to CNET's specs on the PC109, the filter size is 30mm. The filter size for the diamond cut wide angle lens is 25mm. Will the 25mm filter fit on the PC109 if the filter size is 30mm? No. Your filter size needs to match either the diameter of the camera lens exactly. Often a wide angle lens will increase the diameter of the lens, so if you want to put a filter ontop of the wide angle lens, you'll need to match the diameter of it, not the camera. Quote6. Do I need a UV filter for this camera? Not a bad idea. A UV filter doesn't affect the picture much at all. The only real benefit to a UV filter is that it will protect your expensive wide angle lens from scratches. Just yesterday I threw out a UV filter because it was scratched and bought a new one. I was happy I didn't have to throw out the wide angle lens! However, make sure your wide angle lens has threads so you can screw on the filter. A lot of the newer ones don't. Quote7. What the heck is a step down ring? A Step down ring allows you to put a different sized lens onto your camera. For example, you can put that 25MM lens on your 30mm camera. Not an ideal solution, as it creates a needless attachment point, and some argue it slightly degrades the quality of the video.__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NicoNYC 0 #3 July 14, 2004 dude, you're a geek and a savior. I mean a gentleman and a scholar. Thanks a bunch. You've been really helpful. If you're ever in town, your next skydive video is on me dude. Seriously, thanks a million. Blue skies to you! How many hits of adrenaline can you take? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flypunk 0 #4 July 14, 2004 dude, double check the specs for the pc109, I took a look at the camera and I believe it has a 25mm lens not a 30mm ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NicoNYC 0 #5 July 14, 2004 I'll check SONY's website but this is what CNET.com has: http://reviews.cnet.com/Sony_Handycam_DCR_PC109/4507-6500_7-30671374.html?tag=tab Could CNET be wrong? How many hits of adrenaline can you take? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NicoNYC 0 #6 July 14, 2004 Quotedude, double check the specs for the pc109, I took a look at the camera and I believe it has a 25mm lens not a 30mm You are absolutely right my friend. CNET is wrong. Sony has confirmed your statement: http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=UmwqHnjhZHEqejgUO6AgFTfwN5EfKyMEB3k=?CategoryName=dcc_DICamcorders_MiniDVHandycamCamcorders&Dept=dcc_DICamcorders&TemplateName=item%2fsy_item_b&ProductSKU=DCRPC109Thanks bro. How many hits of adrenaline can you take? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #7 July 14, 2004 Quote3. Also, in reference to Wide angle lenses, help out a fellow ignorant brother understand this. Cookie composites sells the .29x wide and .45x wide for the same price, $199. Is the higher number wider or is the lower number wider? 4. I saw a .45x wide diamond cut lens w/macro for the same price. Will the diamond cut or macro benefit me in any way? Something to consider when buying a lens is the lens dimensions. I see people who go out and buy a lens because it says it's a .5 or a .43 or whatever but they never look at the size. A lens that is 2 inches long and 3.5 inches in diameter is not good for what we do......---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NicoNYC 0 #8 July 14, 2004 So what would you recommend for the Sony PC109? What's a good all around application for shooting tandems, RW, Freefly, etc. .45x? Please help. How many hits of adrenaline can you take? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #9 July 14, 2004 I like my Kenko .5 I'll see if I can find a BH web address for it later.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NicoNYC 0 #10 July 14, 2004 What's your take on the cookie composites, liquid 3 or 5? http://www.cookiecomposites.com/products.php?id=6 How many hits of adrenaline can you take? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #11 July 14, 2004 No experience with them. Depends what you want. I have a Diamond .3 from www.royal-lens.com that I like for specialty jumps. Otherwise I like my Kenko .5 at $27 each it can't be beat for a good working lens, I've got hundreds of tandem videos with one.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #12 July 15, 2004 I am using a Diamond 0.3 wide angle lens on my SONY HC40 (same thread size as PC109). I had to buy a 37mm to 25mm adapter/stepper ring because my lens was originally made for a JVC with 37mm threads, but this year's SONYs (i.e. HC series and PC109) have 25mm threads. Earlier SONYs have 25mm or even 30mm threads. SONY seems to change thread sizes, battery sizes, etc. every couple of years, just to mess with after market suppliers. Hee! Hee! I would like to install a UV filter - mainly for srcatch protection - but none will thread onto the front of my low profile lens. The 0.3 lens serves me well for hand-mounted videos of tandem students. I made a few jumps with a prototype Diamond 0.2 lens (even wider) and will buy it when it enters production. For outside video, a 0.4 or 0.5 (not so wide) lens will work better. Diamond 0.5, 0.3 and (soon) 0.2 lens plus a variety of adapter rings are available from www.generationfreefly.com (in the USA) or Way Cool Industries in Australia. Less expensive wide angle lenses are a available from whuffo camera stores, but you get what you pay for. For example, I could save some money with a Kenko wide angle lens, but refuse to strap a bulky lens to my hand. To answer your original question, a condom will double the life of your camera and a d-box will triple its life. I do not see the point to using both. If you are still worried about dust ingress, then wrap gaffer's tape around your camera before inserting it into your d-box. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NicoNYC 0 #13 July 15, 2004 Dude, where'd you find that .5x wide angle lens on royal-lens.com? I couldn't find it. They only sold the diamond or stealth lenses there. How many hits of adrenaline can you take? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #14 July 15, 2004 No, the .5 I was talking about is a Kenko. I usually shop for most of my supplies at www.bhphotovideo.com---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NicoNYC 0 #15 July 15, 2004 They didn't have it on there either. Is it just called a kenko .5x wide angle lens? Also, what's the difference between wide angle lens and wide angle lens converter? How many hits of adrenaline can you take? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #16 July 15, 2004 Look harder: Here and here---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NicoNYC 0 #17 July 15, 2004 You're the best dude. I called them already and they don't have a kenko for my PC109. It's all good thought. If you're ever in town, I'll shoot one of your tandem videos for you and you can keep my pay for the vid. Seriously, thanks for all your help bro. Blue skies. How many hits of adrenaline can you take? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grega 0 #18 July 23, 2004 Have you considered blackeye from waycool? It's 0.25 (the widest so far if i'm right) and it's very light and small. i have that setup (pc109 with blackeye) and i get aprox. 90 degrees of view. and they also make the lens with 25mm thread so you don't need any step up/down ring... you can find more info on the lens here http://www.waycool.com.au/html/products/black-eye-0.25-lens.htm "George just lucky i guess!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
