ANOTHER evaluation of a telephoto lens

Another evaluation !.. yes, another one... this time it is

Pro 46mm 3.0X Tele-Photo Lens For Panasonic HDC-SDT750

 

 Which is actually a new 3D video camera by Panasonic.However, it was advertised on Ebay, with a 46mm thread, so how could I resist the chance to try it out !!!. So I sent off for it, and a few days later it arrived from HongKong.  When I opened the package, I was very impressed. The lens was well protected from the usual bumps in the post, but inside the box, it was again protected inside a nice leather look tie top bag. Getting the lens out, and looking through it, I was again impressed with the clarity and the sharpness, plus the "solid" build of the lens itself. 

 

I noticed that the outer barrel of the lens was larger than my previous lenses, including my favourite Sigma 1.4 lens, so I had to switch on the camera, and let the lens barrel extend to "normal" position before screwing on the 3 X telephoto lens. I had to remember to remove it before switching off, otherwise it would have caused some problems, when the camera lens barrel retracted into the camera lens housing. 

 Here it is fitted to my FZ28..... This is how it looks, after switching on. As you can see, the barrel is slightly larger than the housing, and , despite removing the Panasonic Lens Hood Ring, would not retract IF the camera is switched off, with the 3 X telephoto lens attached.....

(CLICK ON THE PICS TO ENLARGE)

The next pic shows the FZ28 at FULL ZOOM, with the lens attached

 

 The lens is very heavy, compared to others, this lens weighs in at 11 ounces, or 320 grms.... compare that to the total weight of the FZ28 at 16 ounces or 475 grms. and you can see it needs careful handling.  The zoom motor seemed to cope adequately with the extra weight, but I would not want to keep zooming back and forth for many operations may soon wear out the motor unit. 

So, what did it perform like? Well, sad to say, I was disappointed.  Looking through it, as an "eye glass" or short telescope, and it produced clear sharp image quality.... however, as you can see from the pics, it caused distortion around the edges, for quite a way into the centre.... this also produces some "colour shifting". and the centre of the lens did not focus well, when trying to work with the Panasonic FZ28. 

Here are some test pics... 

The first pic is "normal 18X zoom" of a yacht, about 3 miles out to sea, from Lee on the Solent, looking towards the Isle of Wight.

 

(CLICK ON THE PICS TO ENLARGE)

This next pic is with the 3 X telephoto lens attached. Same boat, same distance...............

As you can see, the 3X telephoto has worked ! ... BUT you can also see the problems it causes !..

Here are a couple of much nearer subjects... about 100 metres away...

And for the real test... how does it compare to my Sigma 1.4 !! !  !  ! ..

The first pic is "normal 18 X zoom".....Focus point is the Red Lifesaver in the centre of the pic...

CLICK ON THE PICS TO ENLARGE...

 Followed by the Famous Sigma 1.4 telephoto lens......

And finally, by the 3 X telephoto lens...........

So, there you have it.... another evaluation....

Reluctantly, I have re-packaged it, and posted it back.... ... .... If you have any comments you can log in on here or comment on the Panasonic FZ28 flickr discussion page....

http://www.flickr.com/groups/793920@N24/

or the FZ35/38 discussion page...

http://www.flickr.com/groups/fz35/