I have an XL2 and I will be buying a canon EF 100 - 400mm f/4.5 - 5.6L IS lens.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/162616-USA/Canon_2577A002AA_100_400mm_f_4_5_5_6L_IS_USM.html#specifications


This lens is 7.4” long and weights 3 lbs.

The 20X lens on the XL2 is 5.3” long and weights 1.4lbs.

My question is, with the EF 300mm being 1.6 lbs heavier than the 20X will I need to have a rod support system for the 300mm lens. If so would the Cavision RS-15IIm rod support work.

Cavision | RS-15IIM Rod Support System for Mini | RS15IIM200MM (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/335222-REG/Cavision_RS15IIM200MM_RS_15IIM_Rod_Support_System.html)

Thanks you any information you can give.

Warren

Looks like that'll work fine. Have you thought about asking a machine shop to make a long plate to go under the camera so that the lens foot will rest on it (via a spacer). This is the simplest, most sturdy and probably cheapest way to do it.
Steve

I'm considering buying an XL2 and already own a Canon 100-400mm EF L ISM, would I be able to use this lens? (....and would I require an adapter?)

Tom, you will need the Canon EF Adapter XL that will let you mount an EOS lens on the XL2. With this adapter any lens made to fit the EOS camera can be used on the XL2.

But you will loose auto focus and I believe the Image Stabilizer.

Right now I am using a cheap 100 - 400mm Vivatar lens I've had for years and with the above adapter it works graet on the XL2, but as I said no auto focus or stabilizer.

Hope this helps.

Warren

But you will loose auto focus and I believe the Image Stabilizer.You'll NOT loose Image Stabilizer (IS) when using the ef-adapter!
But I will recommend you to TURN IS OFF, because it'll work against you on pans and tilts movements!
I have been using the ef-adapter for years on XL-2 and XL-H1 camcorder.

NOTE: You'll get 7.2x focal length (35mm equivalent) and a reliable tripod is highly recommended.

Thanks for the replies, I just looked at Per Johan's excellent website, wish I could afford the XLH1, unfortunately it looks like an XL2 when I go through Hong Kong next!
Cheers, Tom

You sure Per? I thought the image stabilizer was built into the lens. Do EOS lenses have that?

Marco, yes I'm quite sure that IS is built into the lens, here's a link explaining the inbuilt IS-function:
Canon in-lense image stabilizers — for easy photography without blur caused by camera shake (http://web.canon.jp/imaging/lens/technology/index3.html)

As long as you use the Canon ef-adapter attached to the XL-2 camcorder body, all ef-lenses with inbuilt IS will work through the adapter. I know because I have a couple of lenses with IS. But as I stated in the thread above, I will NOT recommend to use IS when recording video footage.

The reason is that you must use a tripod with this setup because of the 7.2x crop factor, and it's always recommended to turn off IS, even when using the original 20x lens when recording footage on a tripod. The IS is also working against any pan or tilt you'll do which will degrade your footage very badly (I've learned that lesson a couple of times when I forgot to turn off the IS)