The Definitive Death Lens Guide
It seems like there’s always so much misinformation
and drama about a certain death lens model for a certain camera so I’ve decided
to list all of them available for each camera and hopefully clear things up.
Century Mark 1 Death Lens (Bayonet Mount)
Description: This is the ultimate fisheye. The Mark 1 Bayonet
Mount is noted for its large amount of barrel distortion and wideness compared
to Mark 2 Versions made by Century. The bayonet mount is great because it’s
made specially to fit a certain camera model. This lens was made for the VX2000
and the GL1 for a short time until Century came out with a Mark 2 version and
pulled the Mark 1 version. So good luck finding one for the VX2000 because
they’re pretty rare now.
Fits: This lens was made for many cameras including the
VX1000, DSR200, DSR200A, VX2000, PD150, DSR250 and the GL1 (Works on the GL2 as
well). The VX1000 model bayonet will work on the VX1000, DSR200 and DSR200A.
The VX2000 model bayonet works on the VX2000, PD150, and the DSR250. The GL1
model bayonet works on the GL1 and the GL2.
Vignetting: Yes. Not enough to be seen on TV’s though, if put
on properly.
Price: www.mediasupplystore.com
used to sell the VX1000 model for $619 (call them to find out). Otherwise
expect to pay $669-699 for it new if you can find it or a little less if you
can find it used.
Where to Buy: You can find the VX1000, DSR200, DSR200A model
from www.mediasupplystore.com, www.bhphotovideo.com, www.tristatecamera.com, www.adorama.com or maybe from Century
dealers near you. But this lens is pretty rare to find new now. As for the
VX2000, PD150 model, good luck trying to find this new. If you find one let me
know. They are really rare and sought out by skate filmers so try to buy a used
one from someone. The Canon GL1, GL2 model is pretty rare new as well. Try to
get a good used one from someone. Try eBay.
Picture:
Century Mark 1 Death Lens (Screw On)
Description: This model was made along with the bayonet mount
version, but was made for cameras with 58mm lens diameters. Supposed to be very
wide also.
Fits: TRV-900 with a 52-58mm step up ring, PD100,
VX2000, PD150, DSR250, GL1, GL2, cameras with a 58mm lens diameter or cameras
with 58mm step up/down rings.
Vignetting: Because it is a threaded screw on model it varies
camera to camera. I’ve seen shots of it on the VX2000 and it vignettes very
weird and can be noticed on TV’s. I would expect it to vignette on most cameras
and be slightly noticeable on screen.
Price: Expect to pay around $600-699 new or used.
Where to Buy: Most places online don’t have these
in stock anymore and if they do they’re probably actually the Mark 2 version.
So try to find someone to sell or trade you one if you want one. Try eBay.
Picture:
Century Mark 2 Death Lens (Bayonet Mount)
Description: This lens was supposed to be a new and improved
version to accommodate newer model cameras, but actually it was a step back for
Century. Its not as wide, has less barrel distortion, produces a little red dot
on screen (which all Mark 2 versions do actually) when it gets sun glare, and
is a lot bigger and heavier than Mark 1 models. The nice thing about this lens
is that it has a nice metal sunshade and helps protect it from flying boards or
the ground and also it doesn’t vignette at all really. This is the lens places
keep in stock now so it’s not hard to find or anything. Another flaw I forgot
to mention is that you usually have to unscrew the little screws holding the
sunshade together and move it around a little bit so that the corners of the
shades are not in the poking into the shot. Now do you see why the Mark 1
Bayonet is so sought after?
Fits: VX2000, PD150, DSR250, GL1, and GL2. The VX2000
bayonet model works on the VX2000, PD150 and the DSR250. The GL1 bayonet model
works on the GL1 and the GL2. *Note*There is no Mark 2 bayonet made for the
VX1000, DSR200, DSR200A and its stupid to put a Mark 2 screw on, on them as
well.
Vignetting: None
Price: Around $630 from www.mediasupplystore.com otherwise
around $669-699 new. $669 www.tristatecamera.com
Where to Buy: www.mediasupplystore.com,
www.bhphotovideo.com, www.tristatecamera.com, www.adorama.com or your local Century dealer
or the internet somewhere.
Picture:
Century Mark 2 Death Lens (Screw On)
Description: The screw on model is pretty much the same thing
as the Mark 2 bayonet model except it’s a screw on made for 58mm filter
diameter cameras. I am not so sure about the new TRV950 model so if anyone
knows about death lenses for it let me know.
Fits: TRV-900 with a 52-58mm step up ring, PD100,
VX2000, PD150, DSR250, GL1, GL2, cameras with a 58mm lens diameter or cameras
with 58mm step up/down rings.
Vignetting: None. It’s possible that it might if the camera
has a step ring.
Price: Around $630 from www.mediasupplystore.com otherwise
around $669-699 new. $669 www.tristatecamera.com
Where to Buy: www.mediasupplystore.com,
www.bhphotovideo.com, www.tristatecamera.com, www.adorama.com or your local Century dealer
or some internet place.
Picture:
Century Baby Death Lens Mark 1
Description: This lens is only .4x wide. It was the first model
made for smaller sized cameras and it looks like the VX1000 death lens because
it has no sun shade.
Fits: Smaller cameras with a 37mm lens diameter. If your
diameter is different get a step up or step down ring. Note: You could use this
lens like the Baby Death Lens Mark 2 version for the TRV-900 as well.
Vignetting: Not Sure – Assuming None. Anyone used it? If you
use a step down ring, expect a little.
Price: Expect to pay around $299.
Where to Buy: Very few places carry this lens anymore. www.adorama.com seems to have some though.
Picture:
Century
Baby Death Lens Mark 2
Description: This is the Baby Death Lens in circulation now.
It’s supposed to be better because it is .3x wide. As with all the Mark 2
versions this one produces the little red dot on screen from sun glare as well.
Fits: Smaller cameras with a 37mm lens diameter. If your
diameter is different get a step up or step down ring. You can adapt this lens
for the Sony TRV-900 camera as well and save some money instead of buying a
full fledged 58mm screw on lens.
Vignetting: Supposedly none, once again though if you are
using a step down ring expect a little but probably not enough to be seen on a
TV.
Price: $269 from www.tristatecamera.com
$299 from most other places.
Where to Buy: Century dealers, www.adorama.com,
www.bhphotovideo.com, www.tristatecamera.com
Picture:
I hope this guide helped you out. I know it’s a lot
of information but you kind of have to get technical about it. Try reading it
over again or checking out www.centuryoptics.com (even though the pictures are
wrong in some spots)
-Nate Kapitanski