Telephoto video lens

[JoseD]

Hi, I'd like to shoot a few videos of birds and I'm gonna need telephoto video lens.
Doing a google search I found this:
http://www.amazon.com/Kenko-Super-Tele-Camcorders-KUT-500/dp/B0000BZLV6

Would this be a decent buy ? Can I use lens for a still camera in a DV camera ?
What should I take into consideration ?

Thx again.
José

[edDV]

What is your camcorder?

Check with the camcorder mfgr tele options first. The lens must match optically and for mounting ring thread.

You will need a sturdy tripod.

[Soopafresh]

If you have the money, get a Raynox Telephoto lens. They're more expensive, but have better optics.

[JoseD]

I have a dinossauric Panasonic NV-DA1E Cost me a note back in the day (bought it when it came out). It still kicks ass in low light scenes, though the colors are not up to the quality of a good 3ccd cam.

I can easily get the specs for my camera lens but how do I know if it will match ?
Raynox is too expensive and highest I've seen was 3x. Those are cheap and get 5x. I don't need ultra high quality but I'd like the image to be acceptable, has anyone tried those Kenko lens ?

Regs
José

[edDV]

I have a dinossauric Panasonic NV-DA1E Cost me a note back in the day (bought it when it came out). It still kicks ass in low light scenes, though the colors are not up to the quality of a good 3ccd cam.

I can easily get the specs for my camera lens but how do I know if it will match ?
Raynox is too expensive and highest I've seen was 3x. Those are cheap and get 5x. I don't need ultra high quality but I'd like the image to be acceptable, has anyone tried those Kenko lens ?

Regs
José

I can't find information on that camcorder. Consult Panasonic for lens options. You may find options listed in your manual.

[JoseD]

The NV-DA1E came out at the same time as the DX100, bet most of you remember that one. It's physically very similar, even the menus, except it doesn't have 3ccd's.

The manual does have info on lens acessories but best telephoto lens listed is 2x with the VW-LF43WE. Couldn't find more info on the camera's built in lens except 17x optical zoom and 1.4 standard illumination 1,4lx.
Now what ?

[JoseD]

Done a google and found some references about VW-LF43WE lens being suitable for the Panasonic DX100/110s. The DX100 was common among semipros back in it's day so I guess it's possible to find suitable lens.

[JoseD]

Look what I found:
http://www.bugeyedigital.com/product_main/ckc-cvlx8.html

[lordsmurf]

I'd enjoy having one of these:
GOOD http://www.letusdirect.com/cart/letus35-mini.html
BETTER http://www.letusdirect.com/cart/letus35-extreme.html
BEST http://www.letusdirect.com/cart/letus35-ultimate.html

I could use it with any number of lenses, including Nikkor glass or Canon L glass. Very nice, indeed! Some of those older Nikon AI lenses can be found cheap at pawn shops.

[JoseD]

@lordsmurf

That's amazing, in product and price! Didn't knew pros used that kind of stuff (given the price range), thought everyone used special pro telephoto lens or something.

[lordsmurf]

What I'm still trying to sort out is the "Nikon AI" comment on that site. The AI lenses are ancient (though nice), and the F-mount hasn't changed in 55 or so years. I'm wondering if that's a typo, or if there is something I'm missing that would preclude use of the Nikkor AF/AF-D/AF-S lenses that are at my disposal. I can understand why the type "G" Nikkor is excluded, lack of ap ring.

This is actually an important consideration in my next video camera purchase, as I own enough glass as it is.

[edDV]

Lens mount will be the problem.

[fishywishy]

i got one on ebay for like $10. the quality of it on a 1/6" ccd was horrible, completely unusable. however i just tried it on my sony hdr-cx7 and it works great. the 10x zoom of the cam * the 5x tele gives it 50x zoom. then add 2x digital zoom and you have 100x zoom. the video isnt great at 100%, but if you scale down the video 50% it looks much better