Teleconverters for Sony HDRFX1 - Advice needed

1. jbetz
   Member

   

   I am interested in pursuing a career in wildlife cinematography, but I am currently unable to purchase my own equipment. I have access to a Sony HDRFX1, but for filming wildlife, I really need larger than a 12x zoom. Since I don't really have any other choice, I am considering shelling out some money for a teleconverter lens that screws on to the front of the FX1. I know that these converter lenses are not ideal, but I don't have interchangeable lenses and I think I might still benefit from one of these.

   I am wondering if anyone has had experience using teleconverters, especially on HD cameras. If there are downsides, especially to cheap conversion lenses, what are they and how will I see these disadvantages in my footage? Here are links to the two I have been considering. Obviously there is a big price difference. I can probably only afford the cheaper one myself, but may be able to get some money from elsewhere to purchase something more expensive.

   http://stores.channeladvisor.com/47stphoto/items/item.aspx?itemid=4398667

   http://www.digitalfotoclub.com/sc/from-froogle.asp?id=964730502&rf=froogle&dfdate=5_22_2009

   Any help would be greatly appreciated. Cheers.

   Posted 6 months ago # Login to Send PM

2. birdcat
   Moderator

   

   There are lots of cheap converters out there (especially on eBay) but you do get what you pay for.  Along with a couple of these cheapies, I have a branded "Sony" wide angle adapter and it gives very good results.  It's a bit more $$$ than the cheap ones (I think I paid something like $40 for it - on eBay - it goes for about $70 at Best Buy).

   Posted 6 months ago # Login to Send PM

3. jbetz
   Member

   

   Thanks for the advice. I will definitely check ebay. I am wondering if anyone has experience using telephoto converters specifically, ideally on an HD camera. Any good results from cheap teleconverters?

   Posted 6 months ago # Login to Send PM

4. jbetz
   Member

   

   I am thinking about buying this for my FX1:

   http://cgi.ebay.com/72mm-2-0X-Teleconverter-Telephoto-Pro-tele-Lens-2x-AF_W0QQitemZ110389380924QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamera_Lenses?hash=item19b3b8473c&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

   I would still like to hear about others' experiences with teleconverters.

   Posted 6 months ago # Login to Send PM

5. NormanWillis
   Member

   

   JBetz,

   I apologize.  I have no experience with teleconverters.  However, I also have an FX1, and the pre-amps are supposed to be relatively noisy.

   I do not know what your plans are for capturing sound, but if you are planning Foley sound or a shotgun microphone of any kind, juicedLink makes a screw-on/plug-in XLR adapter that might be helpful to you.  If you need phantom power, be sure to select a model with phantom power.

   BeachTek also makes these adapters, but the juicedLink is less expensive for similar quality.

   I hope that will help.

   Norman

   Posted 6 months ago # Login to Send PM

6. jbetz
   Member

   

   Thanks for the advice. For now I am recording sound separately using a minidisc recorder and shotgun mic, but I may look into these XLR adapters in the future. At the moment (since I am just trying to break into the industry) I am simply trying to improve my reel with better close-ups of wildlife. So for now I really just need to know about teleconverters with specifics on quality.

   Posted 6 months ago # Login to Send PM

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