In message , Wally
writes
Following up from a previous thread, I got a wide angle adapter - a
Raynox DVM-700 from Jessops for 35 quid. I took the camera with me,
filmed a short clip with each of the adapters I was interested in, and
then checked them out at home. Here's a review of the four that I
tried...

I correspond with a video enthusiast in the USA, where they seem to have
a better selection. He recommends the Pro range, which he reckons are as
good as the Sony HG. He also put me onto an Ebay link:
http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsassZlandloop for getting such lenses. You
don't seem to have mentioned your camcorder's lens filter size [1], so
you'd have to troll through the offerings. You have to remember that the
dollar is very weak just now, so you can get really good deals. I've
just bought a 37mm 2x telephoto (yes, I know, I said I'd never buy one),
and so far it has given an excellent picture.

[1] It's generally a bad idea to use any adapter that has to use a
stepping ring. One way, you'll lose the corners and the other
way you'll get low light transmission with possible distortion.

I had the problem of not having a front thread on my Sony HG WA, but
I've solved it with some success by measuring the inside diameter of the
front of the lens and getting a UV filter of a diameter that is a close
fit - then I araldited it in. I checked first though to ensure that I
didn't lose anything at the corners. I can even add a polariser and WA
lens hood without losing the corners. On my Sony HG WA I had to get a
62mm UV filter that gave a snug fit. The UV glass also protects the
front element of the lens.

--
Tony Morgan
http://www.camcord.info