Teleconverter for Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1

To set the record straight, I am more technophobe than technophile. A megabite to me is a mouthful of fries. Pixels are those glittery little imps sprinkling fairy dust. An f-stop is an unwelcome and inopportune interruption. Before buying the Sony telephoto lens I thought conversion lenses were the tools of missionaries. I have two VHS players and don’t own a stand alone DVD or CD player.

The 58mm high grade 1.7 telephoto conversion lens was purchased six months ago for use with my Sony Cyber-shot digital camera. The Cyber-shot’s lens is capable of up to 12x magnification, slightly higher than the 10x lens on the camera it replaced. The 12x lens is wonderful, but I wanted more - especially for nature photography or the occasional surveillance of international spies. Thus with pie in the sky expectations I purchased the Sony VCL-DH1758 58mm High Grade1.7 telephoto conversion lens online, anxious to capture the world around me close up.

Details and Specifications

1.7x magnification for 714mm equivalent on the Sony Cyber-shot H1
High grade construction
Features a 3 group and 5 element design for clear optics
58 mm rear thread
No front filter thread
8.9 ounces approximate weight
3-inch diameter by 2.87” length
Includes a carrying pouch and front and rear lens caps for protection
Materials – plastic and glass
Made in Japan
90-day parts and labor warranty

My Telexperience

The VCL-DH1758 is an impressive looking and feeling piece of equipment. It has the look and feel of quality and substance. It doesn't fasten directly to the Cyber-shot but screws onto the adaptor ring that comes with the camera. For some cameras that’s that, attach and shoot, but not in this case. Before taking photos with this lens one must access the camera’s settings menu. Scrolling down to the camera 2 icon, one sees the control for “conversion lens”. The choices are close-up, tele, wide, and off. After choosing tele setting, the camera is now ready for telephoto photography. Even after the camera has been turned off, it will remain on the tele setting until the user reenters the menu and resets the lens setting to off. It’s very easy to forget this little chore. Thus one does not use the telephoto lens spontaneously but has to plan for its use. A telephoto lens is not meant to be a permanent fixture, especially on a camera with a 12x lens.

I’ve read in some camera forums about users who don’t bother using the telephoto setting in the menu for this lens. It’s something to experiment with because getting in and out of the menu can be a nuisance.

The Cyber-shot compensates for camera shake well with its built in image-stabilization and is very forgiving. However, when using the telephoto lens with this camera a tripod is recommended. When using the auxiliary lens I either use a tripod or rest the camera on a firm, flat surface if possible. Taking telephoto shots without a tripod produces blurry pictures more often than not.

The telephoto lens is relatively light but does change the feel of the camera when attached necessitating supporting the camera with one hand under the telephoto lens when attempting hand held shots. Occasionally I’ll take a successful telephoto shot without a tripod using a fast shutter speed.

As with any telephoto lens there is some vignetting (darkening at the edges) at closer ranges. One web source states that vignetting starts at the 114mm range. Sometimes I’ll deliberately create a vignette for creative or experimental purposes. If vignetting is a problem, then the telephoto lens is not needed for the shot and should be removed.

I’ve read on some sources that purple fringe can be a problem on telephoto shots. It hasn’t been a noticeable problem for me with this lens.

Sometimes focus is a problem for me when using the telephoto lens. Everything is clear but the subject. If I notice it right away I can make adjustments to camera settings or lock focus on a nearby object with more contrast and then reshoot. If I don’t notice right away, oh well….

Some successes – On a recent trip to the ocean I took quite a few pictures from our room’s balcony. Surfers in the distance were mere specks to the naked eye. With the Cyber-shot and the attached telephoto lens, I captured detail of which I wasn’t aware, in pictures that are clear, crisp, detailed, and free of distortion.

Using the telephoto to photograph distant buildings revealed architectural intricacies that couldn’t be seen or enjoyed otherwise.

With some telephoto lenses less light enters the lens and there is a decrease in brightness and sharpness compared to pictures taken without the lens. I haven’t noticed this deterioration in picture quality with the Sony VCL-DH1758.

Is the VCL-DH1758 worth the hundred dollars plus I paid for it? For me it’s a toss up since I don’t really use it that often. I can get almost the same details and results with slightly less quality by cropping and enlarging pictures taken without the telephoto at the 12x setting.

To see the difference between pictures taken with the Cyber-shot’s zoom fully extended and pictures of the same subject taken with the telephoto lens visit my homepage accessible from my Epinions profile page. Click on Spudman’s World, then photos, and Sony Telephoto to see the samples. The surfing pictures were taken without a tripod. The differences aren’t as dramatic as I had hoped for, but maybe I’m just being too greedy. You be the judge.
Six months ago this lens couldn't be found for under a hundred dollars. Buy.com listed it for $130. It's come down in price since then.


I hope you found this review to be helpful.


Update- I now own a Panasonic Lumix FZ18. This Sony telephoto lens fits the new camera and works well with it. I never would have expected this fortuitous turn of events.