nicktoy's Xanga

第一次接觸 - Gitzo捷信三腳架

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 08:58:21 GMT

Gitzo，出產高質素三腳架的歐洲品牌，時常享街見到有人用 (不嬲都覺得香港人消費力強)，但自己就一直摸都未摸過。個人覺得Gitzo腳架的外表總是比別廠有些的不同，碳灰色的腳管及黑加銀色的金屬塗件，離到好遠都一眼認得出來，當然國內有不少Copycat，但一看牌子名及腳管的表面，便分得出真假。Gitzo有很多東西令它出名︰名貴、90年歷史、第一家用碳纖維做腳架等等。

用得Gitzo o既人，玩具都有翻咁上o下得睇。呢支Gitzo係我阿叔o既，三腳架已經買了一段時間，個新Ball頭就係享佢買Nikon D300同一時間入o既，話要影Marco，真係見到都眼紅，仲要住漾日居。不過都好，佢上o左大陸間，我就有得借o黎玩一陣，好去片。

外表

Gitzo個特別波頭叫Off-center Ball head，型號係2750QR，係08年新品。主要物料為鎂合金，重量係550gr，負重係5kg。詳細︰http://www.gitzo.com/Jahia/site/gitzo/op/preview/pid/16876

個頭有兩個鎖，大的鎖緊波球，小的是Pan lock，操控可以做得好仔細。360度水平轉動平台有刻度供使用者閱讀，加強準確度。

快拆的操控是通過一支拉杆，也有保險制，需要按下保險制去推動拉杆才可以把快拆取下，保護鏡頭及相機。

側面看2750QR好似一個漏斗，球體沒有任何油漬或潤滑劑，官網上有解釋一種叫PTFE的技術，是一個對球體加工的技術，簡單來說是這種加工可以代替潤滑劑。

底部注明序號，原產地為意大利，還有PTFE的Logo。專利伸請進行中。

實戰編

今次用自己部Canon EOS 30D加EF 70-200mm f/4L鏡頭，鏡頭加上Body都大約為1.4kg (700g+705g)。由於EF 70-200mm f/4L鏡頭並沒有提供免費腳架座，所以腳架的快拆板是裝在30D機身上的。

低角度拍攝，支GT2540EX三隻腳可以分別自由調較，一般三腳架都會有指定角度限制，通常有正常，中及低角度，GT2540EX可以比你享任何角度l鎖緊支腳。

而中柱可以從打直到打橫之間的任何角度設定，看以下兩張圖片，這樣就可以將腳架設定在低角度而又不會比中柱頂住。

基本上你可以set到相機同路邊的小花一樣高。

一般相機比花朵高的照片

相機和花朵同一高度拍下來照片，另一翻感受。

比花朵更低的角度，清楚拍攝花托的型態。

自由高度拍攝，可以創造一些特別o既照片，好像以下呢一張，一朵表面很漂亮的鮮花，竟然有一塊花瓣偷偷地下垂。

呢套腳架可以幫你容易一o的貼近主體，只需要將中柱伸長，"吊"部相機去到花朵上高。

角度傾斜，提供很大的自由度讓你去position你的相機。

相比一般landscape或portrait，傾斜的角度未嘗唔係一個新嘗試。

後記

Gitzo的GH2750QR加上GT2540EX在實際感受之下，的確提供攝影師一個很大的自由度，Off-center主張的不是甚麼鎮力、負重，而是用作一件幫你創造特別相片的工具，加上外表造工和Gitzo 6X碳X腳架，是一個很特別的選擇。雙城賣緊HK$14XX，好過比千幾蚊買大陸野，周圍行多兩轉應該仲搵平o的。

見香港公園o的花咁靚，順便影少少花朵相片。

Nikon P5100可愛之處

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 07:09:25 GMT

小弟用的DC算是經常更換款式，不過大多數是二手換二手。近排又換o左部新新地o既野o黎玩，就係Nikon P5100。其實享Nikon出P5000 o個o時已經開始留意P系列，作為一部Prosumer機仔，佢又真係細得o黎好可愛，仲有埋Nikon的防手震VR功能，有留心o既人都是Nikon的VR的防手震效能算係好出色，享細機度都有一定o既幫助，今次仲入埋支細閃SB-400，試試細機細閃又點好。其他功能相信享DPreview等網站都會找到，等我用令一個角度去解釋一下點解要選擇P5100。

外表

外觀上第一個感覺係好細部。放在掌心也不會覺得大，雙手手持有一個不錯o既平衡，即刻單手手持亦覺得舒服。

對這是一部Prosumer的數碼相機，但它的小得可以比我放進牛記褲袋，我穿的是Levi's Slim Cut牛記，個袋子仲要係好細個。一般褲子一定大把位淨。

SB-400的肉照，操作鍵簡單得很，只有開關鍵，其他的只是充電準備燈及Hot shoe lock。

裝上SB-400，非常「襯」﹗

SB-400呢支燈仔我最喜愛o既地方就係有得調較燈膽向上打Bounce，唔好睇少呢個功能，向住天花板打Bounce flash雖然唔係乜野高難度，但真接改善相片質素o既功能。

相片質素

一般來說，在室內及光線充足o既環境中，呢部Nikon P5100都交出好顏色，對焦亦很迅速。圖片質素很高。

廣角照片

望遠照片

從某些照片看得出Nikon P5100拍的照片的動態範圍算是大。一般情況照片內的光暗兩部份都有足夠細節，我想這部是Prosumer機，質素比一般機仔好是應該o既。

在光暗分野頗為極端o既照片亦有不錯表現。

Nikon P5100在夜間拍攝的表現也算是不錯，主要有VR幫手，拍攝帶光源的建築物時手持相片也有清晰，ISO亦在大部份時間維持在ISO400或以下，雜訊未算是明顯。機身雖然細小，手持起上o黎都十分穩定。

爆光準確對於Nikon呢o的大廠來說已經是易如反掌(反而我另一部Fujifilm F20就時不時有爆光錯誤o既情況發生，爆光準確看似是容易，其實並不是與生俱來的。)

裝o左SB-400，室內向白天花打Bounce，光源比直打好很多。

環境狹窄，向白色東西打埋去，一切都搞掂﹗

生活感受

細，其實除了攜帶方便外，仲有好多好處，其中一樣就係你日光日白拎部機出o黎影相，如果用DSLR o既話唔多唔少都會吸引唔少目光，o的人有會想睇下你影o的乜。但我用呢部機仔行街等巴士o個時拎出o黎影相，o的人只不過會當你係一般自遊行，唔會點o黎，感覺舒服得多。

對我來說，活在香港呢個石屎森林，相機用得最多o既時間就係三五知己共聚o既約會中，呢o的約會往往都在室內進行。餐廳、Club及保齡球館等都是光源不足的地方。呢個時候用P5100拍攝合照，花絮照等就十分就手。其VR功能實在幾有用。

我和朋友正在寫賀卡比在外地留學的朋友。

相片在Pizza Hut影，光線不是很足夠，但相片質素也很乾淨很清晰。

後話

總括來說，Nikon這部Coolpix比之前的好得多，雖然仲有很多可以改善的地方，例如速度反應，廣角拍攝等等，但呢個價位已經係抵玩之作。Nikon P5100 o既可愛之處，就係無人知你部機仔係好野，翻到屋企互傳相片時，你的朋友會發覺你拍的照片比佢o地o既"真機仔"拍的照片好得多。

Manfrotto 585 Modo Steady Open box 開箱﹗

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 04:57:17 GMT

睇o左個Manfrotto個官網一排，支Modo Steady (型號為585)o岩我部Sanyo HD1做3合1 stabilizer，香港仲未有得賣，反而美國已經有。
http://modo.manfrotto.com/
Know this product from Manfrotto website, Manfrotto 585 Modo Steady seems works well with my Sanyo HD-1 hybrid camera. Not in HK yet but I found it is selling by B&H USA already.

去o左新加坡3日，有親戚由美國回來，叫佢幫我享B&H買o左支M記新野玩。
Went to Singappre for 3 days, met a relative came from US, he helped my to get this Manfrotto new stuff from B&H.

最想要係佢好像Steadicam Merlin一樣，做到stabilizer，Steadicam Merlin係professional野，要成$7K。
This product that interested me because it has the same function of Steadicam Merlain, no as professional as it, but with much less cost. Steadicam Merlain is selling more than HK$7,000 in HK.

個白色包裝盒幾靚仔，好有禮物Feel，做聖誕/新年禮物一流。都是以M記o既紅色為主調。
First impression, the box is nice! It is defintely a good choice of X'mas/New Year gift to men. Colors are white plus Manfrotto red.

背面有簡單介紹支585三個不同o既用法。
Back side of the box explains 3 different ways of using this Modo Steady.

感覺幾Hi-tech，但睇o左只會大概明白可以點用，詳細用法都要睇說明書。
A strong Hi-tech feeling from the box. You will know how it works but no in detail, detail please open the manual

係M記Modo family o既一個新品，當然都是Made in Italy。
It belongs to Manfrotto Modo family, a hybrid series supporting system for DC/DV, It's Made in Italy.

個盒設計得可以保護支腳，同埋o的knobs。
The inner side of the box can protects the main body as well as the knobs.

盒裡面只有3樣野，一支585、一份說明書，一份使用注意事項。
3 stuffs inside, a 585, a user manual, a genral instruction & notcie.

份說明書有詳細解釋，點用點較，有圖有字。唔睇佢，有好多野都會唔識Set。
User manual provides detail explaining of how to configurate. Pictures+text. I can tell you don't read it, you will miss a lot of important steps.

份使用注意事項都係大廠必備o既廢紙，我都知落雨行雷唔好用
A genral instruction & notcie, standard package from all big brand. For sure I know I won't use it under thundering & lighting rite?

收起個樣怪怪的，黑色加紅色=M記顏色
The look......Black plus red equals Manfrotto standard colors

當然唔少得大大個"曼富圖"英文啦同三腳架仔LOGO﹗
Big Manfrotto Logo & mini tripod logo.

伸展後，3節，2個駁位。
After fully erected, 3 sections, 2 joints.

雲台係一體化設計，有快拆，擰右邊粒制，再按下去就可以拆出o黎。同一般M記快拆唔同，係因為要就佢轉用法時，機身可以水平180度轉向，難明？總知設計到咁係有原因啦﹗
左邊個制係用o黎平衡唔同形狀o既DV/DC，因為唔係部部機支鏡同腳架mount都享正中間，算係，重量都有可能左右不平衡。
The head is stuck to the main body. It comes with a quick release plate. unscrew the RHS knobs, you can get the plate out. Not as a standard Manfrotto quick release deisgn, it takes care of turning the cam 180 degree for different usage.
LHS knob is for balancing different shape cam. Since not all cam's tripod mount is in the middle. Even it is, the weight distribution inside is not the same.

個雲台夠大，我部Sanyo HD1放上去仲有好多位淨，不過如何果放Canon HG10/Pan記SD5果o的大少少o既AVCHD機，就應該Fit身，(不如為左Fit身，買部Pan記SD5好嗎？藉口)
The Head platform is large enough. After I put my Sanyo HD1 on, some space left. If you are putting AVCHD came like Canon HG10/Panasonic SD5, it fits well (It is a good reason for me to upgrade my cam).

放上我的愛機Sanyo HD1
After putting the Sanyo HD1 on.

除出快拆o既樣子，唔該有無人有銀仔？
It takes a coin to screw the QR plate.

快折有三個孔，不同的選擇，就翻腳架Mount唔享正中間o既DV/DC。
There are 3 options for the screw on the QR plate. Suitable for those cam has a off-centered tripod mount.

3節o既中間接駁位，係用轉o既方法伸長o既，外表好瘦弱，用料好實淨。
The joint between sectiosn. It takes a rotate method to erect the 585. Look so slim, but using quite stong material.

把手位有軟膠包住，幾"啜"手。中間粒黑色圓圈有乜用？
Rubbers are injected on the handler. What's the black cap for?

原來一拉粒黑色圓圈，把手就會分開3瓣，用o黎做Table tripod。黑色圓圈有條像根連著，唔會唔見。
Oh, once you pull out the black cap, the handler divided by 3 pieces for ths use of a table tripod. The black cap is linked with a strap so it won't loss.

雲台正面圖。
Facde view of the head.

擰下右邊粒銀色制，雲台就會向左或右移用，就著不同的DV/DC的重量分佈，自己可以調較。
You turn the silver knob on the RHS to slide the plate of the head. This is used to suit cam with different weight balance.

呢支585就係靠呢個位o黎提供穩定效果，呢個重量可以抵銷震盪。
The weight storage to provide stabilization effect.

重量來自5塊鋁合金片子，因為不同DV/DC有不同的自重，所以用家可以自行選擇用幾多塊(唔睇9說明書一定唔知)，Sanyo HD1用1塊就可以了。
The 180g weight came from the 5 pieces of metal. You need to test how many you need for you cam. See the user manual to learn how to test. My Sanyo HD1 only takes 1 already enough.

第一個用法，就係用膊頭佢頂住支585去提供穩定效果。
Real demostration of usage 1 as a shoudler support.

第二個用法，手握把手，用下方的重量去抵銷上方的震盪。好像Steadicam Merlin一樣。
Second usage as a cam stabilizer. Like Steadicam Merlain it used the weight below to counterbalance the shaking upside.

第三個用法就係當Table tripod用，簡單直接。
Third usage as a table tripod.

用Stabilizer模式，享香港公園拍了4段短片。
I took 4 videos from HK Park using cam stabilizer.

高解像度Stage6版本 High resolution Stage6 version:

低解像度Youtube版本 Low resolution Youtube version:

呢段就係享香港公園雀烏園用Table tripod拍o既，佢個weight o岩o岩好用黎"序"住部機。
This is a video clip I took in bird cage of Hong Kong Park. Using teh table tripod function of Modo Steady. The weight of it just make the cam stand firm on the handle.

高解像度Stage6版本 High resolution Stage6 version:
[http://www.stage6.com/user/nicktoy/video/1911363/Hong-Kong-Park-Bird-2007-11-30]

低解像度Youtube版本 Low resolution Youtube version:

呢三張就享新加坡影，當table tripod用。
These 3 picture I took in Singapore by using table tripod.

Casio Exlim V8 Review

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 03:47:08 GMT

由於出差時要拍工作照片，又有時想拍下當地的風土人情作留念，所以就萌生要買一部可以拍片卡片機仔的念頭。我有一部SANYO HD1，機身雖然不大，但也不至於Pocket Size。可以袋入衫袋而又不覺得重身，拍片功能好一點(最好可以代替傳統DV就最好不過)，要tapeless(我已經習慣了用SD卡)，拍照功能也要可以接受就最好(HD1的照片功能就...)。

上網搵o左陣，Kodak及Casio都有出MP4/H.264的細機仔。Kodak有一部V1253，拍到720p的MP4錄像，算是tapeless HD，但就係用伸縮鏡頭，拍片一係就唔zoom得，一係就邊錄影一邊錄埋Zoom o個o的聽，3X的光學變焦都唔係太足夠。Casio就o岩o岩出o左Exlim V8 Hi-Zoom，拍到16:9 (848x480) 30fps H.264/Quicktime短片，潛望鏡式7X鏡頭，拍片時都可以Zoom，仲有短片防手震模式。唔使$3000，睇o左dpreview對V7的review，話個Video功能幾正，就買o左。

外觀及使用

包裝普普通通，我買o既係黑色，有一張透明貼紙標明MIJ(可能見富士都係MIC，要講明比人聽MIJ)。

腳架mount在機身的左方，別以為不在正中間不好，因為V8的鏡頭就正正是在機身的左方，雖然腳架mount不是完全和鏡頭平衡，但都非常接近。

唔影太多機身照片，在官網都可以搵到，基本機背按鈕都就手，轉盤都易用，Zoom係用推上推落去控制，有兩個速度選擇(推盡是快，推一半是慢)。機頂只有快門鍵。正面就有立體聲收音孔，鏡頭比一個橫向推拉保護蓋蓋著，正面仲有一顆LED，用拍Macro時可打開補光，更有用就係拍Video時作補光燈用(只需要在短片模式按下閃光燈按鈕，LED就會亮起，幾方便)。

整部機都係金屬造成，感覺好"襟"撞。

這次review主要分為日拍、室內及夜拍三個部份，也會試到相片及短片，因為質素呢家野因人而異，所以唔會比分甚麼甚麼，所有東西都係我o既主觀感受。

日期室外︰

影相或者拍短片時都會用三腳架固定相機，都係用翻我支Manfrotto Modo 785B。盡量用翻三腳架比我o既水平讀數。

日間廣角照片 - 1X 38mm (按圖展開原圖，原圖可查看EXIF)

日間望遠照片 - 7X 266mm (按圖展開原圖，原圖可查看EXIF)

陽光充沛的時侯，相片還不錯，至少與主流大廠分別不大，放Xanga、Facebook等網站已經足夠有餘。顏色沒有富士、SONY來的鮮艷，我個人覺得略為淡一點。相片不是太"利"，有一點"柔"的感覺，對於網上應用只要在Photoshop加一點Unsharp Mask，問題不大。廣角方面只有38mm，若果有28mm就更加好了。望遠有266mm，一般拍攝環境都很足夠，加上有CCD-shift防手震(雖然我比較喜歡Lens Shift的)，尤其去旅行時這部7X細機都幾"Handy"。

日間室外短片

由於並未成功將Stage6.com的Video放在Xanga，以下短片只可以用Youtube展示，若果想看高解像度一點，請自行點擊短片下Stage6的URL。

Stage6高解像度版本[http://stage6.divx.com/user/nicktoy/video/1792291/Casio-V8-Zoom-function]
請段短片可以看到V8在拍片時可以有兩個不同速度的Zoom-in及Zoom-out，因為Zoom是無聲得，所以唔會錄在短片內。7X光學變焦也算夠用，用快速時若果沒有腳架，會幾容易震到部機。

Stage6高解像度版本[http://stage6.divx.com/user/nicktoy/video/1792420/Casio-Exlim-V8-Day-Outdoor]
這是用TMPEEnc XPRESS 4.0剪輯的短片，由Pan鏡可以見到，開了防手震後，Pan鏡時會有一點不順暢，若有三腳架，關上防震功能會好一點。基本上日光情況下拍片質素不錯，848x480的解像度也比舊DV高一點，只是未有DV般Sharp，收音也是立體聲。

以下是一段未經剪或壓縮的短片原檔︰
http://images1.fotop.net/albums6/toyzone/casiov8/casio_v8_day_full.zip

室內︰
在香港公園室內溫室拍的照片，顏色可以，防手震對相片來說並不是十分出色。

晚間

用上三腳架，在ISO200的情況下，相片質素可以接受。

用Casio V8在迪士尼晚上拍了一段短片，在晚上ISO會提高，質素會略為下降。

後記︰

影完相，回到電腦傍，將部V8放上Docking，按Photo鐽，佢就會自動播Slideshow，Video及Photo也會自動播放，仲有背景音樂。

Sanyo HD1/1a/2 + Canon WC-DC52 Wide Adapter

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 16:19:24 GMT

Sanyo HD1係Xacti系列的第一部可以拍到HD 720p的Hybric DC/DV，剛出產時索價HK$6000。我在2007年年中入了一部二手的，HK$1600，我想比大部份的家用DV都抵玩，機身又細，我唔鍾意DV帶，製作麻煩，呢部用SD卡就好方便，因為HD1a同HD2的改動不多，都係入二手HD1最抵
Sanyo HD1 is Sanyo Xacti seires first hybric DC/DV that can capture 720p HD video clip. SPR is HK$6000 when it was first launched in 2006. I bought this 2nd hand machine in mid-2007, it costs me only HK$1600. I assume it is much worth than most of the entry level DV. I am a tapeless person, I like Memory card stuffs. This machine eats SD card so it is very suitbale fot a guy like me. Since Sanyo HD1a & HD 2 are so similar to HD1, HD1 is the best 2nd hand stuff to invest.

頭廣角由38mm開始，日常應用是足夠，但在室內拍人及拍風景時明顯不足，所以要找顆廣角鏡用。HD1有原廠Sanyo廣角鏡VCP-L06W，0.6X，價錢約HK$600，但看過一些Review，用了相片質素下降很多，四邊邊位濛濛瀧瀧，唔值得買。
The lens is from 38mm, enough for everyday use. But if you are shooting indoor shots without enough distance, or shooting lanscape, 38mm just not enough for that purpose. So I looked for a wide angle adapter for it. Sanyo provide me a choice, the Sanyo VCP-L06W, a 0.6X wide angle adapter, cost ~HK$600. I saw some online reviews, that lens isn't worth, with it serious corner softness.

不用原廠的問題就是HD1無螺絲位比你擰上一般附加鏡，就算是原廠o既都係用一個軟膠套套上保護鏡頭的金屬圈上，即係"室"部HD1個鏡頭入個廣角鏡o既底部。即是說如果你想用其他廠出o既廣角鏡，就得想下辦法。
Here it comes a problem, Sanyo is so clever (or so cheap) to limit end-user to use 3rd party lens adapter. The orginal wide angle adapter uses a "hook-in" method to attach, instead of a normal screw thread. If you want to use 3rd part adpater, you gotta think some tricks.

咁o岩享DChome找到顆Canon WC-DC52 0.7X廣角鏡，52mm螺絲口，鏡筒好細好短，Canon的附加鏡一向成像質素不錯 (變型就麻麻地，個人覺得Raynox的比較好)，就用HK$300入左手先，再慢慢想法子用在HD1上。
By chance I spot a good 2nd hand wide angle adapter in the net, it is from Canon, WC-DC52, a 0.7X adapter with 52mm thread. This lens is small and optic quality of Canon is always satisfactory(barrel distortion are there, Raynox is better in this term). Finally close the deal by HK$300. So now I need to think how to hook it to my HD1.

經過一輪查找，原來Sanyo有件配HD系列o既配件(49mm Adapter)係比用家幫HD1加Filter，原理同原廠廣角鏡一樣，套個49mm Adapter上去，再擰Filter上去。實價$120，買了下來玩玩研究，發覺呢個就係我要將HD1同WC-DC52連用一起o既工具。
After checking a while on the solution, I found Sanyo has a accessory for HD series, a 49mm Adapter that can hook-in the lens barrel of HD1, enable user to add filters. It costs HK$120. I know this is a tools take hook-up the lens and the HD1.

呢個49mm Adapter可以比你上到49mm螺絲口的filter、鏡頭，一舊軟膠一塊鐵就收你百二蚊..
This 49mm Adapter enables you to screw in 49mm thread silters, lens. Be frank, a rubber + a metal cost HK$120....like a robbery by Sanyo.

我開始想到o既係將呢個49mm Adapter套在HD1上，再加一個49-52mm的接環，就可以把WC-DC52加上去HD1。試左，結果有一個好大o既成像圈，因為附加鏡頭同機身鏡頭被接環分得太遠。加上49mm Adapter的螺絲位好淺，接環不能安穩地擰上在49mm Adapter上，擰上鏡頭仲會轉動，這個方法行不通。
My first solution is to use this 49mm Adpater on HD1, and then put on a 49-52mm step-up ring, so I can put on the Canon WC-DC52. It doesn't work very well because a big black circel appear on the image. It is because the Adapter, the step-up ring add to long distance between the Add-on lens and the lens of HD1. More over, the lens couldn't be fixed very stable on the 49mm Adpaterm beacuse the thread is so shallow. The lens will rotate after screw-in. This is not working!

再經過一輪思考，想了另一個方法，把49mm Adapter的軟膠脫出來，不要個鐵環，我要做o既就係將呢個軟膠固定在WC-DC52的底部。
After serious thinking, I found out a real solution. I take out the rubber part from the 49mm Adpater, I need to stick it on the back of the Lens.

得到相機維修中心的老闆幫手，教我用另一個接環將舊軟膠固定，由於找不到最合適o既接環(41-52mm)，我就買左個43-52mm (HK$40)，再加多一條像皮圈，用如下方法將軟膠鎖接環及鏡頭中間o既位置。
A owner of the camera repair shop teach me to use a step-down ring to hold the rubber on the lens back. I bought a 43-52mm ring (HK$40) and one rubber ring, and use the following method to hold on the back of the lens.

先找像皮圈套在軟膠上，由於43-52mm接環比軟膠大，像皮圈是確保軟膠不會移動，如果找到41-52mm接環，並不需要這個步驟。
First, cricle the rubber part with the rubber ring, it makes sure the rubber part won't move. If you found a 41-52mm ring, no rubber ring is needed.

把軟膠放在WC-DC52o既底部
Place the rubber part on the bottom of WC-DC52.

把接環擰上在WC-DC52底部，就是這樣，WC-DC52就同原廠廣角鏡一樣，可以套在HD1的金屬鏡環上。
Screw in the Step-down ring to the bottom of WC-DC52. By now, I have a WC-DC52 that can hook-in the lens barrel of HD1.

完成上在HD1上的樣子。WC-DC52不算重，亦是Canon最細少的廣角附加鏡頭，使用上來沒有明顯頭重腳輕o既情況。由於廣角鏡只會在想拍廣角時使用，加左上HD1再Zoom，成像質素會很差，所以拍望遠時最唔外接廣角鏡。這會為使用上帶來一點不便，但是因為用左"套上去"o既設計，使用上比一般擰上去o既設計快得多。
The finish look here. WC-DC52 is light, it is the smallest wide angle adapter of Canon. So, overall weight distribution after hooking it on HD1 is still good. If you add-on the lens, please make sure you will use the widest end only, because if you zoom with the wide angle adapter, the image quality is going to degraded a lot. Since the lens can be hook-in & out easily, there is no problem to remove it if you need some tele shots.

靜止相片測試
Still picture test

測試時用上Manfrotto 785B三腳架，確保同一角度，用一方向。今次測試除左HD1+WC-DC52，仲帶左部Fujifilm F20及多一粒HD1電池，連埋紙巾雨傘，剛好放進新買o既KATA DC-433相機包，貪佢細細o地又輕身又平，個樣都唔錯。
During the review I was using a Manfrotto 785B tripod to stabilized the shots. I brought my Fujifilm F20, 1 more HD1 battery, an umbrella and tissue papers. All put inside my KATA DC-433 mini shoulder bag. It is light-weight and good looking.

HD1本身提供38mm廣角，加了WC-DC52大將為27mm。
用了Av Mode，f/5.6，ISO 50。按圖下載原圖。時間大約正午。
HD1 offers 38mm wide shot, it becomes 27mm after using the WC-DC52.
Testing setting is Av Mode, f/5.6, ISO 50. Click images to enlarge.

左邊是加了WC-DC52，右邊是HD1原本廣角。視角明顯大了，可以拍到整棟力寶中心。從右邊建築物可見變型存在，幅度算是中等。
LHS is HD1+WC-DC52, RHS is HD1 only. Angle of view is enlarged. The barrel distortion is still managable.

這一張相片主要由樹木及草組成，大家可以留意四邊的解像度有否下降。用這個方法加WC-DC52，四邊依然有一點兒黑角，但幅度很少，很容易可以用PS執走，既然HD1強項是720p拍片，在16:9模式上下邊會被砍去，黑角也不會見到。
This picture consists a lot of trees and woods. Pay attention to 4 corners to see if it is blur. A bit dark shadow appear in 4 corners. If you are shooting 720p HD clip, the 4 corners will be chopped.

可視角度大了對拍攝建築物很有幫助。變型尚可接受，雖然沒有原廠的0.6X來得廣角，但0.7X在成像質素及變型取得一個較好的平衡。
Wider view benefits architature shot as well. Although it is not as wide as the Sanyo orginal one, this lens achieve a good balance between IQ & distortion.

這張圖片可以留意背光的樹葉邊位，HD1拍的是500萬像素相片，本身解像力不好，加了WC-DC52會更鬆一點。
From this picture it shows the 5Mega Pixel HD1 using the wide angle adapter, the IQ has a bit degraded.

靜止相片測試總結︰加了WC-DC52的HD1在拍風景照片明顯進步得多，四邊鬆散度還可以接受(一定好過原廠、Raynox或Focus Optic的鏡頭)，變型問題則是DC仔加鏡不可避免的，用家拍建築物時會感愛到頗明顯的變型，一般風景照會比較好一點。HD1本身影的相細緻度不高，和一般DC仔還有距離，加了WC-DC52後，細節就再減少了。若果以一部拍720p的Hybric DC來說，室外照片算是合格。
Still shots conclusion: After using the WC-DC52 on HD1, taking landscape picture becomes easy. Corner softness are acceptable (Better than Snayo original one, Raynox or Focus Optic). Distortion is inevitable, especially in architature shots, lanscape will has no problem. HD1 is not so detail as other DC, video is the main weapon. So after adding the WC-DC52, loss of detail will become severe. Overall, it pass my judgement since if I need a camera to take still picture, I will have a lot of other choices.

短片測試
Video test

我想大部份人買HD1都是為了拍720p HD片子，HD1提供防手震功能，但不是鏡頭光學、CCD移動或一般DV的電子式防震。它的防震功能會把四邊某一些影像砍去當佢buffer，即是說開了防手震後拍下的廣角影像會由38mm增加至某一個焦距，估計是48多mm吧，就是這個原因，WC-DC52的作用就更大了。
I supposed most of the end-user buy the HD1 for its 720p video capture ability. HD1 offers an image stabilization function. It is neither Optical lens type nor the image sensor moving type. It crops some areas from 4 sides to compensate the hand shaking. That means if you open the image stabilizer, the wide angel will be changed from 38mm to a 48mm or something (my wild guess). Because of this reason, the WC-DC52 is vital to give HD1 a wide angel video shots. p.s my comment, the IS system inside HD1 sucks.

Auto mode, ISO 50

下載>>TV-SHQ<<原檔比較。左邊是加了WC-DC52
Download orginal file here: >>TV-SHQ<<.

下載>>720p<<比較，由於上下邊被砍去，黑角問題沒有了，由WC-DC52帶來的四邊鬆散景像也被砍去，感覺質素很不錯。
Download orginal file here: >>TV-SHQ<<. Since some areas from the 4 sides were chopped. the corner softness was chopped as well. Overal quality is acceptable.

短片測試總結︰我想大部份人買HD1都會使用720p去拍片子，正是因為這個原因，WC-DC52能保持中心影像有一定質素，拍風景片了會很有用，在室內拍活動也方便了(可惜HD1/1a在陰暗環境拍得很差，HD2的用家很有福)。
Video test conclusion: If most of the user buy HD1 for its video function, the WC-DC52 is a good stuff to invest on that make your landscape shots easier. Indoor shooting with short distance from object will be eaiser as well (Unfotunately, HD1/1a sucks in low light shooting, HD2 user is more lucky)

總結︰原廠Sanyo廣角鏡VCP-L06W比較冷門難找，二手也沒有找到有一個，相比下Canon WC-DC52就容易找得多(二手或全新)，而且成像質素比Sanyo原廠來得好，如果不是很需要0.6X帶來的22mm廣角，二手WC-DC52一定是一個好選擇，整套價錢都只是︰二手WC-DC52(HK$300) + 49mm Adapter(HK$120) + 43-52mm接環(HK$40) = HK$460，一定平過原廠那一個。由於Sanyo HD1、HD1a及HD2用上同一個機身設計，我想這套方案也可以用在HD1a及HD2身上。
In short: The orginal Sanyo VCP-L06W is not easy to find, as least on 2nd market. On the other hand, you will find a number of Canon WC-DC52 on the maket since it is for its famous A series camera which are selling like hot cake. The IQ is also better the Sanyo one. If you no need the 22mm wide angle from Sanyo one, this solution will be a much cost effective choice: 2nd hand WC-DC52(HK$300) + 49mm Adapter(HK$120) + 43-52mm ring(HK$40) = HK$460 only.Since Sanyo HD1, HD1a, HD2 are using the same body, I am sure this solution can be used on HD1a & HD2 as well

希望這個小小DIY幫到Sanyo HD系列的用家，享升級到HD1000或HD700前，都能多用HD1/1a/2比到你o既效用。
I hope this little DIY tricks can help those HD1/1a/2 user. Before upgrading to HD700/HD1000, we can explore the maximum potiential from our little HD1 series first.

Welcome

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 16:06:15 GMT

開了一個叫nicktoy的Xanga Blog，是想在這裡分享一下我的Gadgets。

I open this Xanga blog to share my feeling and review of the gadgets I have.