Wide Converter WC-DC58N on the A640

[jonesjj]

Greetings All,
Just recived the A640 today and it is quite nice little camera, was wondering if anyone has used the Wide converter for it?

I know you can take couple pics and stitch them but if this works well enough would be nice.

I am not real Photoshop smart so getting into alot of photoshoping to get rid of things that the wide converter may do I dont want to make things more challanging than what they are.

Any feedback on this converter or one that would work well with the A640 would be greatly appreciated.

[oscillator]

I believe Gary, DJ, and others are using it.

I have ordered the wide converter, and the adapter needed with it (LA-DC58F), but haven't received it yet, so I can't say.

Stitching is always an option, but it is going to take more time. I think Gary uses the wide converter to reduce the stitching required from 360 deg panorama shots.

Cheers,

[Tonystott]

I believe Gary, DJ, and others are using it.

I have ordered the wide converter, and the adapter needed with it (LA-DC58F), but haven't received it yet, so I can't say.

Stitching is always an option, but it is going to take more time. I think Gary uses the wide converter to reduce the stitching required from 360 deg panorama shots.

Cheers,
It works beautifully! The only downside is the heft of all that glass. The A640 plus wide converter and adaptor weighs 1 lb 7 1/2 oz (645g)

As for stitching, grab PTGui, it does a great job. you can get a free trial version which is the real deal except it puts PTGui watermarks on the pano. I think it cost $70 to remove the watermarks and be able to save the pano working files (as opposed to just the output JPG)

I have attached a shot from a 20th floor office (sorry about the reflections) using the wide converter lens

[GGoodrum]

I agree, the Canon wide-angle lens/adapter works well. I also use PTGui for panos. It is a very powerful piece of software, but still fairly easy to use.

-- Gary

[AZ ChopperCam]

I had been using a Raynox wide converter and was not happy with the distortion at the edges. I got the Canon DC58N and I'm so much more happy with it over the Raynox. Usually Raynox makes good lenses but in this case the Canon is the way to go.

but holy jeeezzz the thing is huge and heavy!

[Tonystott]

I had been using a Raynox wide converter and was not happy with the distortion at the edges. I got the Canon DC58N and I'm so much more happy with it over the Raynox. Usually Raynox makes good lenses but in this case the Canon is the way to go.

but holy jeeezzz the thing is huge and heavy!
It sure is a shock when you take it out of the box isn't it! For those who have not seen it, here is a pic of the A640 with Canon wide converter, next to an Olympus SP350 with Olympus converter offering the same focal length.

[AZ ChopperCam]

I also use (for ground work, not aerial) a Raynox DCR-1540PRO 1.54X tele converter with a Lensmate 52mm Canon adapter.

Using either of these lenses with a circular polarizer produces amazing shots. I just started using a polarizer last week and .... wow! I'll never go back.

[Whirly-Girl]

Any specific polarizer brand recommended?

[Edge111]

I've just recieved my canon DC58N, wow great lens.
Has anyone had any issues putting the camera and lens on a Heli mount with the single bolt?
It seems like a lot of weight forward of the mount point, I was wondering if I need to make a bracket to move the mount under the CG of the camera / Lens.

[Tonystott]

Askman moves the mount back more than 2 inches for an A640 with wide converter, otherwise the tilt servo has to work too hard

[Edge111]

Askman moves the mount back more than 2 inches for an A640 with wide converter, otherwise the tilt servo has to work too hardHow is the mount moved back? I'd like to be able to use the mount with and without the wide angle lens, so is it easily changable?

I'm awaiting delivery of a Askman mount and I was concerned about the servo.

Has anyone got any photos of your A620/640 with wide angle lens attached to a Askman mount??

[lakespinner2]

I'm reworking a gimble today for the wide angle lens on an A640.

I wanted to use it in portrait mode. When I slid it back to balance it I found it would no longer tilt straight down without ripping off the power and video downlink cables from the end of the camera. Since it hangs back further, the rear of the camera also goes up further when it tilts down. I'm having to make my little homemade gimble about an inch taller to clear all the wires.

I was also wondering if the one 1/4-20 bolt was sufficient to hold the camera and lens. It seems plenty strong on the bench. I'm thinking I might stick an icecubbed size hunk of pool noodle foam under the lens and wrap a rubber band around it, the lens and the base plate to take a little pressure off the lens mount and bolt. Not sure yet.

[AZ ChopperCam]

I was also wondering if the one 1/4-20 bolt was sufficient to hold the camera and lens

I've got a few hundred flights and counting with just using a 1/4-20. No problems.

[Edge111]

I was also wondering if the one 1/4-20 bolt was sufficient to hold the camera and lens

I've got a few hundred flights and counting with just using a 1/4-20. No problems.What mount are you using? are you just bolting the 1/4-20 into the camera or are you somehow getting the cg with the lens right?

[lakespinner2]

that's good to hear DJ, I'll leave mine alone then. I'm not sure the pig can afford the extra weight of a rubber band anyway. :D

[Menno]

If I would see someone walking with that camera extension I would think that it was a fisheye lens, that front element looks bigger than my Sigma 10mm lens :shock: .

Surely only the center part of the glass is beeing used, otherwise it would be very sensitive to flaring.

Can anybody put a full res photo of the A640 with wide converter online? Watermarked if you prefer, but I would like to get a impression of the resolution of that camera.

Thanks,
Menno

[Tonystott]

If I would see someone walking with that camera extension I would think that it was a fisheye lens, that front element looks bigger than my Sigma 10mm lens :shock: .

Surely only the center part of the glass is beeing used, otherwise it would be very sensitive to flaring.

Can anybody put a full res photo of the A640 with wide converter online? Watermarked if you prefer, but I would like to get a impression of the resolution of that camera.

Thanks,
Menno