Hi everyone,

After three years I'm finally going to purchase an XL1 and I can't wait. I've done all the research, I've called several companies, and I have even taken an XL1 for a test drive but there is only one problem: I really don't like the lens that comes with the kit. Old habits die hard I guess but I'm used to having manual control of everything on the lens.
So now . . . the dilemma . . . do I buy the 14X manual lens, the new 16x manual lens or the Optex/Fujinon lens? I read the article on the XL1 Watchdog about the Optex lens so I know that it is highly recommended. However, not being able to use the servo zoom control on the XL1 with that lens sounds like a problem to me. Does anyone know if the new 16x lens interfaces with the XL1's servo zoom?
Any input you have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

John

<< Does anyone know if the new 16x lens interfaces with the XL1's servo zoom? >>

Yes -- please read http://www.dvinfo.net/xl1s.htm under "Two New Lenses" -- also there I thought we already had a thread going on the news lens; I'm going to move this post to that thread shortly. Let's pick up the conversation there. Thanks,

I asked canon tech support that same question about the zoom control and they told me that the lens was manual only, including zoom. So I don't know what to tell you except that the watchdog has been more reliable to me in the past than canon. But that's just my personal opinion.
Unless you have an XL1 already buy the kit with the automatic lens and upgrade lenses later. Then you'll have two great lenses!

The older Canon 14x was manual zoom only. The new (soon to ship) 16x is somewhat different.

Yep it's a real spiffy lense made by Canon Professional division- played with it at Chicago Resfest-looks worth waiting for-had no problem focussing in rather dim lobby with color viewfinder. Motorised zoom, controlled by ae shift as needed.