digital high definition 0.5x wide angle lens with macro

[cplofdisneynutz]

Ok so as many of you know by know we just got the Sony A100...I noticed in the box the other day an extra lens that came with the pack I bought (through ebay). It is a Digital Concepts digital high definition 0.5x wide angle lens with macro. Wow what a mouthfull. I attached it to my kit lens (18-70mm) and my 35-105mm lens, took a few pictures and noticed a little difference in width. So I'm not getting what this is for and how to really use it to my advantage? Anyone want to take a shot and explain the benefits and uses to me? Thanks only 10 more days til Disney ;D

 

[Tim]

it's just a conversion lens which reduces your focal length by .5 (or 1/2) to artificially create a wide angle effect. they are generally used for point and shoots which cannot accept interchangeable lenses. i hate to be the bearer of bad news, but digital concepts lenses are generally regarded as cheap ebay... well, junk. i hope you didn't pay a lot for this lens, because it will distort like CRAZY especially on the outer edges. there is a reason this lens sells for $10 on ebay. if you search for digital concepts at the bigger photo forums (which by the way are not as nice as this one - shameless plug), you will see MUCH harsher reviews than this.

in case you didn't get what i was saying, i would not recommend using this lens.

 

[cplofdisneynutz]

ok excellent...well good news is it was included with the "kit" so i spent $0 on this and based on the price I paid for the camera I got a deal on it...glad to hear i didn't make that mistake.

 

[Roger]

The more I think about this kind of filter, I guess it *could* work with a lens that is designed for 35mm full frame on a smaller sensor camera, but the kit lens was designed for APS-C, so it would be hard to reverse focal lengths without major distortion.

I would agree with Tim and add to toss it.