Shoot Your Photo Wide! - Sony VCL-ECU1 Ultra-Wide Converter

My previous blog (Sony NEX-5N First Impression) has given an introduction on this lens converter - Sony VCL-ECU1. Here is a more detailed post on this lens converter show what this converter is capable of. 

First, this converter is suitable only for E-mount 16mm F2.8. There are reviews on other websites saying that it is also compatible with Panasonic M4/3 lens 14mm F2.5. I can't test this out since I don't have the lens around. The converter has a multiply factor 0.75x, that is, focal length of 16mm will be converted to 12mm after mounting. 

Some may not know how much wider 12mm is compared to 16mm, and 18mm end of the kit lens 18-55mm. I have taken two examples so you may see the difference. 

↑Taken by 18-55mm kit lens at 18mm end

↑Taken by 16mm F2.8 lens

 

↑Taken by 16mm F2.8 lens with VCL-ECU1 mounted on

Here is another example.

↑Taken by 18-55mm kit lens at 18mm end

↑Taken by 16mm F2.8 lens

↑Taken by 16mm F2.8 lens with VCL-ECU1 mounted on

As you can tell, with the converter mounted on, the 16mm F2.8 lens has a much wider view. The distortion is not obvious and the image quality is actually better than the 16mm F2.8 alone. 

In summary, here are the pros and cons of this lens converter.

Pros:

• Cheap. Both 16mm F2.8 and the ultra wide converter are cheap. They cost less than 400 SGD in total, which makes it the most affordable ultra-wide lens. 
• 12mm is really fantastic for landscape and architecture photography and the distortion is well acceptable. 
• F2.8 is still retained with the converter on that makes it good for night scenery as well.
• The build quality is great and it actually improves the image quality of 16mm F2.8

Cons:

• Filter can't be installed on the converter as the glass is spherical.

More sample photos below taken by Nex 5N with 16mm and the ultra wide converter

I hope this blog has given you a good idea of how this converter performs and helped in your decision making. :)

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