Kenko KVC 0.5x Pro Video Wide Angle Converter

The Kenko KVC 0.5x Pro Video Wide Angle Converter is an accessory lens to supplement a camcorder or a digital camera. As the name implies, it changes the magnification of the primary lens by 0.5 times. Put it another way, it provides 50% more vision. If the primary lens' focal length is 20mm, this accessory lens converts the field-of-view to that of a 10mm lens.

The lens is well made with a solid metal construction. It is very hefty in weight due to its large front and rear glass elements. It has a black satin finish that is quite cool and nice to touch. The lens has a matching black rubber grip to aid in the handling of the lens. The lens has a 52mm filter thread for mounting to digital cameras and camcorders. The front of the lens is relatively flat with a small curvature. There is a 77mm filter thread in front of the lens for attaching filters.

I have found that the center of this lens is sharp, but gets blurry at the edge.

Canon EOS Elan IIe 35mm Film Camera / Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 Lens

The Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 lens has a 52mm filter thread. Therefore, the Kenko KVC 0.5x Pro Video Wide Angle Converter is a direct mount to this lens. The Kenko converter is about twice as heavy as the 28mm EF lens. Its weight seems to stain the lens' AF micro motor a little. Yet, the lens is still able to auto-focus with out a problem.

Awaiting further testing and sample picture.

Canon EOS IX APS Film Camera / Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 Lens

Awaiting further testing and sample picture.

Canon EOS D30 Digital Camera / Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 Lens

Back when I was still shooting with my 35mm film camera, my Tokina 20-35mm lens served me well. Its 20mm focal lens has the capability to capture a splendid amount of view on a single 35mm film frame. When I started using the Canon EOS D30 digital SLR as my primary camera body, I found that the Tokina 20-35mm lens. angle of view is no longer so grand. With the 1.6x magnification factor due to the smaller D30 sensor, the 20mm focal lens has the same angle of view as a 32mm lens on a 35mm film camera. Therefore, I was quite anxious to test this Kenko KVC 0.5x Pro wide-angle conversion lens with the Canon EF 28mm lens and the Canon D30 to see if I can get my splendid view back.

The Kenko conversion lens mounted on the Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 lens works well on my Canon EOS D30 digital camera. The result field-of-view is about 14mm (equivalent to 22.4mm on a 35mm film camera) without the fish eye effect. The edges of the pictures are slightly distorted and not as sharp as the center, but creates interesting effect in the picture.

Awaiting for sample picture.

Panasonic PV-GS50S MiniDV Camcorder

This lens works amazingly well with the Panasonic PV-GS50S MiniDV Camcorder. It decreases magnification by 0.5 times, allowing the video to capture fifty percent more environmental space then normal. The lens provides wide-angle view without the fisheye effect. The first picture, below, is shot with the normal built-in lens at the widest setting. The second picture is shot with this Kenko lens at the widest setting. The center of this lens is sharp, but the edge starts getting blurry (see the second picture).

This Panasonic camcorder has a 27mm filter thread, so I used a Cokin 27mm-37mm and a Tiffen 37mm-52mm step-up rings to mount the Kenko lens. Since the lens hood on the camcorder has to be removed in order to use the filter thread, I kept the step-up rings mounted as a lens hood.

Sony DCR-TRV350 Digital8 Camcorder

This lens works well with the Sony DCR-TRV350 Digital8 Camcorder. It decreases magnification by 0.5 times, allowing the video to capture fifty percent more environmental space then normal. The lens provides wide-angle view without the fisheye effect. This Sony camcorder has a 37mm filter thread, so I only needed a Tiffen 37mm-52mm step-up rings to mount the Kenko lens.