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What's in the Box:
Conversion lens, front lens cap, rear lens cap, and carrying pouch.
Product Description
Get in closer than ever with the VCL-DEH17R tele end conversion lens from
Sony. Created especially for the DSC-R1 Cyber-shot digital camera, it
provides a 1.7X optical zoom for amazing close up shots that capture every
detail.The VCL-DEH17R features a 3 group, 5 element design and is
constructed from high quality plastic for superb durability. The high
grade glass lens offers increased detail at the edge of an image for
minimized distortion.The VCL-DEH17R comes with a handy storage pouch and
front and rear lens covers to keep it safe from harm when not in use. ________________________________________________________________
Product Reviews:
Interchangeable lenses versus complementary, add-on lenses, that is the
question. , February 9, 2006
Reviewer: Donal B. Botkin "View[ + ]Finder"
I have a DSC-R1 (see my other review) and have recently added the
telephoto accessory lens from Sony to the toolbox. Oh, and its companion
"adapter" too. This is not a cheap lens nor is it a lightweight one, but
it seems to be a good one.
The front element of this baby is nearly 5" in diameter. What does that
get you? No loss in f-stop to start with. That's right, the
light-gathering ability of Sony's addition to the already phenomenal
optics of the Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar costs nothing in terms of your
ability to "paint with light". (On your credit card, is a different
calculation may appear.) The size of the lens makes necessary the adapter
"sidekick" mounting bracket. Why? Without it, the lens is unbalanced and,
rather than a cheap screw-on extender, this allows the primary lens to
gain a few elements to become a credible telephoto. It also has the
advantage of allowing for the quick removal of the tele and use of the
zoom on the primary lens with the adapter in place.
So you have a vision of running along the sidelines capturing every
grimace on the quarterback's face as the defense floods over him? Not with
this lens. Spring for the $8,000 Canon outfit, get two as you might get
sacked yourself, and have an assistant to hand you your equipment. Hiking
into the outback to capture the dawn mating of the Kookaburra? There are
better choices. (Note to friends of the Kookaburra: I have seen one, and
heard one, but have no actual experience with their reproductive
practices.) On the other hand, if you occasionally need a bit more reach
and can manage a tripod for mounting, then by all means pick one up.
And speaking of "picking one up", this lens can be hand-held and deliver
acceptable results (better than using digital zoom or enlarging to get the
same magnification), but only for nearly still subjects. For example, a
yacht race from the race deck at the club. (My choice) The digital zoom
(2x 120mm) at lower mega-pixels was good enough, but not great. A natural
200mm beats a stretched 120mm any day, which is what you get with the
digital zoom alternative, but for fast shooting the combo may be too,
shall we say "bulky".
Which brings me to my main point: why are we doing this? Photography I
mean. If you see a camera a way to capture the visual poetry that your
mind sees, then this camera and the combo will work for you, and you'll
enjoy the experience. If you see a camera as a cool tool that makes a
statement about who you are, well join the gear heads in the photo chat
rooms and natter on about max-mega-pixel-mania and spurn the
"point-and-shoot" in favor of a bag full of expensive interchangeable
lenses. Frankly, some of the best photographs of all time have been
captured on the spur of the moment, "point and shoot". With an excellent
24mm-120mm lens mounted on the camera, you'll get the shot 95% of the
time. If you need to stretch you view a bit farther from time-to-time, by
all means spend the $400 or so on this telephoto combo and look forward to
some good photography.
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Back to Sony VCL-DEH17R
1.7x Tele End Conversion Lens for DSC-R1 Digital Camera
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