16x9 EXII

Offers full zoom-through capability. Price: $625 (threaded ); $695 (bayonet)

A wider-angle view on camcorders is ideal in many situations. But lower-cost camcorders, with their fixed lenses, don't usually offer adequate wide-angle coverage.

Basically, it's just too expensive to produce while trying to compete in a market with such tight margins. One solution camera owners have turned to is add-on converter lenses. Until recently, however, their quality glass was itself a very expensive buy-in.

That's why it's a relief to consider 16x9's new EXII 0.8X wide converter, part of a new "aggressive pricing structure" the company says it has instituted across its entire new EXII line of lenses. With its two-element design, the EXII 0.8X is both compact and lightweight while increasing wide-angle coverage by 20 percent over the stock lens with minimal barrel distortion, according to the company.

Initially developed for use with Fujinon's 17X zoom lens (the one that comes with the Panasonic AG-HPX300 and is optional on the JVC GY-HM700), the add-on lens should fit most popular HDV cameras from Canon, Panasonic, and Sony.

It does sound versatile, since there are 62mm, 72mm, 77mm, and 82mm threaded mounts, as well as multiple bayonet mounts.

Wide-angle Lenses




16x9 EX 0.75X




16x9's EXII 0.8X Wide Converter: Higher Quality, Lower