Canon WD-H43 0.7x Wide Angle Converter for HV20 & HV30 Camcorders
See it at Amazon.com for $159.99Average Customer Rating
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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(3 out of 5)Warning about the weight
If you have not held this wide angle converter in your hands, you need to be aware of the weight - it is VERY heavy, weighing roughly the same as the entire camcorder (including battery and tape). Putting this big hunk of glass at the front makes it an entirely different camcorder - twice as heavy and very unbalanced with all that weight hanging off the front. It is pretty big also, adding 3-4 inches at the front, but the weight and balance were the killers for me.
I wanted to like it, as this camcorder really could use a wider field (I am tired of backing up so much). It also looks very high quality (and if glass weight = quality, it must be great) but I never even tested it out because to me the camcorder becomes a different (and unusable) device with this on it. If you don't mind the weight (perhaps you only use it on a tripod, where the size and weight don't matter), give it a try, but I wanted to warn you first - heavy and unbalanced make for bad handheld shooting.
(5 out of 5)The one accessory you need
On my old video camera I had the wide angle lens, telephoto lens, and an external microphone. The one accessory I used the most was the wide angle lens. So I had to get one. The WD-H43 fits perfectly on the camera as it should since it is made by Canon. It looks great on the camera, but I was surprised at how heavy is was. It makes the camera a little front heavy. I bought a neck strap for it because it is just too heavy with this adapter to be trusted without one.
(5 out of 5)makes HV20 footage look even more amazing
Amateur filmmakers who've puchased the Canon HV20 should seriously look into getting this lens as an accessory: once you start shooting with it you'll never want to take it off! Unlike cheaper wide-angle lenses, the WD-H43 doesn't cause blurry edges. Some complain you can't attach a lens hood to the WD-H43, which shows how little they know about their HV20 (its built-in CMOS sensor is designed to eliminate the need for a lens hood). Several reviews complain about the weight of the lens - I for one am happy about the added pounds as the HV20 is frighteningly light otherwise. I've found my shots are not only more cinematic-looking with the WD-H43 lens but the additional weight makes for smoother footage & handling. You feel like you've got a 'real' movie camera, it's very cool.
(5 out of 5)Heavy . . . but nice results
It is a bit larger and heavier than other wide angle converters I have used. On the other hand, the results are better than other converters I have used. For me, the added bulk is a fair trade off.
(5 out of 5)Canon WD-H43 Wide Angle Lens
A must-have accessory for your Canon HV20/HG10 camcorder. The lens really opens up the viewing field to show more. It is a heavy lens, but with a pistol grip you don't notice it. It lacks front threads for adding filters or a lens hood. But, my indoor videos are sharp as ever with this wide-angle lens. The pros far outweigh the cons.