Canon XL1s 3D Lens WANTED!

February 25th, 2002, 11:23 AM

Not a lot of traffic on this topic so:

1. How can one see a demonstration? Short of a touring Canon demo at an electronics show is this possible? Somebody mentioned that they were starting to be used in porn? Does anyone know of any specific titles that were shot with this or have any idea how I may be able to find out?

2. Canon's official literature indirectly implies that output from this can be used for 3d modeling. How would one go about importing this data into a modeling progam? Any specific modeling programs out there with this capability? Any details on this matter would be appreciated.

3. I'm wondering if there is a practical distance limitation to the 3d effect? Does everything have to be carefully shot in a studio or could you film, say, a large bird at 100 yards with this?

4. Not really a question but it would be great to see the Watchdog do a review of this lens. If they were able sucker Canon into allowing them to touch the $80K 1200mm EOS lens then the $8k 3d lens should be doable I would think.

Thanks for the great informational site. Keep up the good work!

Don Palomaki · February 25th, 2002, 08:48 PM

Saw a marketing short on some Canon scanners and other office equipment last summer at the AIIM show in NYC. Was shot with the 3D lens. The main problem was the 3D goggles used to view the short. I do not recall the brand, but they had internal LCD displays and were very low resolution. To low to judge the lens performance.
Based on my use of stereo optics with 35mm still cameras a few years ago, I doubt that the 3D lens would have much value for a 3D view of wild life at 100 yards. But stereo effect at, say, 10 feet would be a different story.

CarterTG · February 25th, 2002, 11:10 PM

And we all know that "wildlife" features shot at distances 10 ft and closer are called Stag Flicks. ;-)

Don Palomaki · February 26th, 2002, 07:48 PM

I thought they were "training films."

Chris Hurd · March 1st, 2002, 09:42 PM

I've been unofficially advised that the 3D lens program is dead on arrival. Will try to get word from someone higher up at Canon but as I understand it, the 3D lens has been permanently cancelled due to technical difficulties.

Federico Martini · March 9th, 2002, 03:34 PM

Both at Canon and at the Watchdog it says it is still in the making. We'll have to see if it's worth the 9000.

Chris Hurd · March 9th, 2002, 04:03 PM

My sources tell me the 3D lens project has been permanently scrapped. Trying to get an official confirmation from someone higher up at Canon USA.

Jacques Mersereau · March 17th, 2002, 10:59 AM

Chris Hurd wired on caffine wrote:
My sources tell me the 3D lens project has been permanently scrapped. Trying to get an official confirmation from someone higher up at Canon USA.

I can understand that. I was NOT impressed with what it could do at NAB 2001.
Blurry, strobed and almost unwatchable.

Chris Hurd · March 17th, 2002, 11:50 AM

Jacques! Long time no-speakey. Will you appear at NAB again? I feel another beer calling. Nominating the same bar,

Jacques Mersereau · March 17th, 2002, 12:28 PM

Hey there Chris,

I really want to make it, but my immediate boss has *many* other plans
for me. Lots of projects and performances that need attention
at The Media Union, BUT
the head of U of Mich. TV wants me to check out MPEG2 solutions
(a large project with U of Indiana to archive ethnic and cultural
music from around the world) for him.

Christi also wants me to go and show the marztech.com
flag.

IF I make it, I owe YOU a few.

So, are you working for Canopus or Canon this year?

Chris Hurd · March 17th, 2002, 02:12 PM

Understood Jacques... I'll be flying the Canon flag this year, over in the LVCC.

April 17th, 2002, 03:38 AM

We are a video production company. We have a Canon XL1 camera and a G4 equiped with Final Cut Pro 1.2.5 for the editing. We would some infos about Canon 3D zoom lens: in particulare we would to know if someone knows the lens features, if it is necessary a dedicated editing software, if it is necessary to have special glasses to see the video. Better, we would to know if exists and where we can find an handbook for this lens.

Thanks in advance

Alessio Furlan
Zot Videoproduzioni

Rob Lohman · April 17th, 2002, 04:19 AM

As I understand it the quality was not too good for this lens. I
also think it has been discontinued. Perhaps it might be
interesting to use two cameras for a 3D view of things? It might
be a tricky thing with zoom etc. though. Maybe you can feed
a LANC controller to both cameras to get the same zoom?

Anyone as any other ideas?

Robert Powers · July 4th, 2003, 10:27 AM

I know that this is a little late in the game. But I am looking for the Canon XL1s 3D Imaging Lens to purchase. I know they were made. I have talked to Canon, B&H photo video (in New York) and many others online. B&H were very pleasent to talk to and suggested to try user groups and so here I am! I am into 3-D video and was hoping to get my hands on the lens for my XL1s. I do have the Nu-view 3-D lens adapter which works but the aperture of the adapter really cuts down on the quality that I can achieve because I have to zoom through just to get rid of the ring around the image. Well if anyone has any leads that would be great. Used is fine as long as it still does what it is supposed to do. Thank you for your time!

Chris Hurd · July 4th, 2003, 11:41 AM

Hi Robert,

Sorry, but it will not be possible to obtain the XL 3D lens. Only a handful of working prototypes were ever made and none were ever released to the public. There are none in private ownership. The concept was cancelled before production ever began, and if there is one in the United States (which is doubtful), it is locked up at Canon USA corporate headquarters in New York. The very few 3D lenses in existence are destined for the Canon camera museum in Japan, if they're not there already. Sorry to bear the bad news, but this is the truth of the matter. Hope this helps,

February 25th, 2002, 11:23 AM	#16
armchair Posts: n/a	misc. 3d lens questions Not a lot of traffic on this topic so: 1. How can one see a demonstration? Short of a touring Canon demo at an electronics show is this possible? Somebody mentioned that they were starting to be used in porn? Does anyone know of any specific titles that were shot with this or have any idea how I may be able to find out? 2. Canon's official literature indirectly implies that output from this can be used for 3d modeling. How would one go about importing this data into a modeling progam? Any specific modeling programs out there with this capability? Any details on this matter would be appreciated. 3. I'm wondering if there is a practical distance limitation to the 3d effect? Does everything have to be carefully shot in a studio or could you film, say, a large bird at 100 yards with this? 4. Not really a question but it would be great to see the Watchdog do a review of this lens. If they were able sucker Canon into allowing them to touch the $80K 1200mm EOS lens then the $8k 3d lens should be doable I would think. Thanks for the great informational site. Keep up the good work!

March 1st, 2002, 09:42 PM	#20
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	I've been unofficially advised that the 3D lens program is dead on arrival. Will try to get word from someone higher up at Canon but as I understand it, the 3D lens has been permanently cancelled due to technical difficulties. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

March 9th, 2002, 04:03 PM	#22
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	My sources tell me the 3D lens project has been permanently scrapped. Trying to get an official confirmation from someone higher up at Canon USA. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

March 17th, 2002, 10:59 AM	#23
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	Chris Hurd wired on caffine wrote: My sources tell me the 3D lens project has been permanently scrapped. Trying to get an official confirmation from someone higher up at Canon USA. I can understand that. I was NOT impressed with what it could do at NAB 2001. Blurry, strobed and almost unwatchable. __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager

March 17th, 2002, 11:50 AM	#24
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Jacques! Long time no-speakey. Will you appear at NAB again? I feel another beer calling. Nominating the same bar, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

February 25th, 2002, 08:48 PM	#17
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	Saw a marketing short on some Canon scanners and other office equipment last summer at the AIIM show in NYC. Was shot with the 3D lens. The main problem was the 3D goggles used to view the short. I do not recall the brand, but they had internal LCD displays and were very low resolution. To low to judge the lens performance. Based on my use of stereo optics with 35mm still cameras a few years ago, I doubt that the 3D lens would have much value for a 3D view of wild life at 100 yards. But stereo effect at, say, 10 feet would be a different story.

February 25th, 2002, 11:10 PM	#18
CarterTG Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Midwest Posts: 42	And we all know that "wildlife" features shot at distances 10 ft and closer are called Stag Flicks. ;-)

February 26th, 2002, 07:48 PM	#19
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	I thought they were "training films."

March 9th, 2002, 03:34 PM	#21
Federico Martini New Boot Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina Posts: 19	Both at Canon and at the Watchdog it says it is still in the making. We'll have to see if it's worth the 9000.

March 17th, 2002, 12:28 PM	#25
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	Hey there Chris, I really want to make it, but my immediate boss has many other plans for me. Lots of projects and performances that need attention at The Media Union, BUT the head of U of Mich. TV wants me to check out MPEG2 solutions (a large project with U of Indiana to archive ethnic and cultural music from around the world) for him. Christi also wants me to go and show the marztech.com flag. IF I make it, I owe YOU a few. So, are you working for Canopus or Canon this year? __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager

March 17th, 2002, 02:12 PM	#26
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Understood Jacques... I'll be flying the Canon flag this year, over in the LVCC. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

April 17th, 2002, 03:38 AM	#27
Zot Videoproduzioni Posts: n/a	... We are a video production company. We have a Canon XL1 camera and a G4 equiped with Final Cut Pro 1.2.5 for the editing. We would some infos about Canon 3D zoom lens: in particulare we would to know if someone knows the lens features, if it is necessary a dedicated editing software, if it is necessary to have special glasses to see the video. Better, we would to know if exists and where we can find an handbook for this lens. Thanks in advance Alessio Furlan Zot Videoproduzioni

April 17th, 2002, 04:19 AM	#28
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	As I understand it the quality was not too good for this lens. I also think it has been discontinued. Perhaps it might be interesting to use two cameras for a 3D view of things? It might be a tricky thing with zoom etc. though. Maybe you can feed a LANC controller to both cameras to get the same zoom? Anyone as any other ideas? __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

July 4th, 2003, 10:27 AM	#29
Robert Powers Tourist Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 1	Canon XL1s 3D Lens WANTED! I know that this is a little late in the game. But I am looking for the Canon XL1s 3D Imaging Lens to purchase. I know they were made. I have talked to Canon, B&H photo video (in New York) and many others online. B&H were very pleasent to talk to and suggested to try user groups and so here I am! I am into 3-D video and was hoping to get my hands on the lens for my XL1s. I do have the Nu-view 3-D lens adapter which works but the aperture of the adapter really cuts down on the quality that I can achieve because I have to zoom through just to get rid of the ring around the image. Well if anyone has any leads that would be great. Used is fine as long as it still does what it is supposed to do. Thank you for your time!

July 4th, 2003, 11:41 AM	#30
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Hi Robert, Sorry, but it will not be possible to obtain the XL 3D lens. Only a handful of working prototypes were ever made and none were ever released to the public. There are none in private ownership. The concept was cancelled before production ever began, and if there is one in the United States (which is doubtful), it is locked up at Canon USA corporate headquarters in New York. The very few 3D lenses in existence are destined for the Canon camera museum in Japan, if they're not there already. Sorry to bear the bad news, but this is the truth of the matter. Hope this helps, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!