Wide angle lens for PC-109

[SDB-02 0]

I didn't feel like I was spending enough money at this sport so I went out and bought a camera (Sony PC-109). I have my RAWA helmet on order and all I need now is a wide angle lens. I'm sure this topic has been discussed to death but I am new to this forum. I have almost 1000 skydives and can fly pretty well. I plan to video small-ways, big-ways and everything in between. I'm looking for an all-around lens to start me off. I'm not to hip with the camera lingo yet so please explain it to me like I was a three year old.

Thanks

[mr2mk1g 10]

Note that none of this is actual advice – just background info.

How wide a lens is can be seen in the number given to it. Really really wide lenses might have a number 0.3. A lens which is not so wide might have a number more like 0.5. Most lenses used by skydivers fall within this bracket although I understand there’s a new “uber” wide lens that is a 0.2 (or 0.25 – I forget).
Generally the lower the number the wider the lens, although it’s unlikely that you will find two different lenses with the same number give identical shots – the number should be seen as a guide only.

There are some really nice 0.3 lenses in the 25mm thread your camera has. They’re not cheap though. They’re best for flying really close to your target although can be zoomed through to make them more like a 0.45. There is also a 0.5 by the same co. Both of these are only a few mm's thick so do not stick out the front of your helmet posing a snag risk and beggin to be ripped off.

Maybe I’m going out on a limb but I think the most common lens is probably between about 0.43 – 0.5ish. This is a good middle ground.

I love the Sony 0.6 lens. Despite its name it’s actually comparable to about a .45 so fits nicely in the middle ground. I suspect they will now sell this with a 25mm thread so it will go straight onto your camera.

You will find that most lenses have a 37mm thread (the actual screw fitting that screws the lens onto your camera – you did say like a 3 year old). This is not too much of a problem. $2 will get you a step ring that converts the thread over.

Best bet is to try your friends lenses and see which view you like best. I bought a shed load of various lenses from ebay and simply sold on the ones I didn’t like – (at a profit). You can pick up pretty much any lens you want on ebay for around $20 if you wait for it and your savvy.

Beware of fisheye lenses. Not a bad thing – just a different thing. They give that fish-bowl look to the shot. Great if that’s what you’re going for but can be annoying if you’re stuck with it as your only lens.

The lens for you is the lens that best fits your flying style and subject (eg 4-way vs. FF). Also consider not using a lens. I hear more and more that pro FFers don't, but again, it's whatever suits your style and subject best.

I’m not even going to try and advise you on that but for a general starter lens - why not a kenko 0.5. Many pro flyers use it despite its entry level cost, perfectly servicable, slap in the middle of the middle ground, CHEAP.

[pbla4024 0]

Waycool makes some wide angle lenses for 25mm.
www.waycool.com.au. They send me one of them in envelope for 130 EUR.

Fido

[riggerrob 643]

I have had great results with wide-angle, low-profile lenses from
www.generationfreefly.com
I have owned both a 0.3 and a 0.2 from generationfreefly. The 0.3 had zero distortion and my 0.2 only has a tiny ammount of fish-eye distortion, that is only apparent in "square" environments like hangars.
They can supply three "angles" of lenses with a variety of threads.
They can also supply a variety of stepper rings to adapt mis-matched lenses. For example, they sent me a stepper ring that allowed me to screw a lens with 37mm threads to a SONY HC40 with 25mm threads.
The main reason I went for low-profile lenses was to avoid snagging my hand-mounted camera. So far - knock on wood - I have not snagged it on anything, but I know a dozen outside videographers who have had lenses ripped off their helmets by risers.
However, if you are doing outside video, you will probably be happier with 0.45 or 0.5 lenses.