View Full Version : XL1s with Nikon Photo Lenses


Sunny Dhinsey
July 8th, 2004, 06:38 AM
I was just wondering whether anyone here has ever used Nikon SLR photo lenses on a Canon XL1s.

I am thinking of making use of the interchangeable lense facility on my XL1s and just had a few questions:

1) Will I get a different look to my conventional Canon Auto lense?(I'm aware of the 7.2x magnification)

2) Will there be a loss in picture quality as a result of using the Nikon lenses?

I would be greatful if somebody could provide me with an insight into what kind of results I can expect.

Thank You

Rob Lohman
July 8th, 2004, 06:40 AM
I can't comment on whether this will work, but the answers to
your questions should be no for both.

Jeff Donald
July 8th, 2004, 08:37 AM
There are adapters to put Nikkor lenses on the XL1. It has been noted in several articles about the quality of the Canon XL mount manual lenses or the stock XL AF lenses. I would expect the Nikkor lenses to provide a superior image quality over the Canon stock lens as well.

Sunny Dhinsey
July 8th, 2004, 08:58 AM
Thanks for the information,

I have been contemplating using my Nikkor lenses to achieve different looks,

I'll give it a try!

Neill Phillips
July 10th, 2004, 01:00 PM
Hi,

I have been using my Nikon lenses with my XL1S along with the Optex adaptor and the results are great.

You have to take into account the 7.2x magnification ratio of the larger Nikon lenses but yuo basically get great telephoto performance.

My lenses are: 17-35mm f2.8, 80-200mm f2.8 and 50mm f1.8.

I usually dial in some sharpness with the stock Canon lens but when I put the 50mm on I had to turn it back down as the sharpness was stunning! This is a great lens as it is not only one of Nikon's sharpest, but it is also one of Nikon's cheapest!! (best results are around the f4-5.6 mark).

Hope this helps.

Neill

Ken Tanaka
July 10th, 2004, 03:48 PM
See our Lady X Films episodes 21 and 22 (http://www.ladyxfilms.com/theater/e21/episode_21.shtml) for an example of Nikon lenses used with an XL1S. Jami and Mike won the series for best photography with that work.

Scott Balkum
July 10th, 2004, 10:54 PM
Anyone recommend a good dealer that have these? I did a Google search for the specific model and didn't turn much up in America.

Jeff Donald
July 11th, 2004, 06:13 AM
Scott, can you be more specific please, what are these?

Scott Balkum
July 11th, 2004, 09:53 AM
Sorry, the Nikon lens converter. I on;y saw Optex that makes a Nikon to Canon XL1s converter.

Jeff Donald
July 11th, 2004, 10:56 AM
Century Precision Optics (http://www.centuryoptics.com/) used to make an adapter also. It wasn't on their site, but it was shown on their price list.

Ryan Mattos
July 14th, 2004, 04:57 PM
ken that video is fantastic. how did you achieve such a great film look with the xl1? was it primarily the nikon lenses or did you put in lots of work in post?

Ken Tanaka
July 14th, 2004, 05:23 PM
Ryan,
I didn't produce those episodes. They were produced by Jami Jokinen and Mike Pohjola. You can contact them via the "Feedback" links on the episodes' pages.

They've been asked this question frequently. While I don't want to answer for them I can say that, fundamentally, what you're seeing is just some very good photography and a mastery of the XL1. The Nikon lenses certainly contributed to the results. But for the most part it's just good shot selection, completely manual control, close control of contrast and saturation, and some skillful post-processing.

A. J. deLange
July 20th, 2004, 11:42 AM
I ordered the Optex adapter last week and spent the weekend rummaging through closets looking for old Nikon lenses. I came up with a 35mm wide angle, 105mm Micro, 135 portrait and 300 mm telephoto. The gadget came yesterday and it seems to work just dandy. I'm pleased as punch because my alltime favorite lens ever is that 105 Micro Nikor which is now out of retirement!

Needless to say, the 300mm is interesting to work with. At an effective (re 35 mm) focal length of over 2100 mm aquiring the target is a bit tricky. I decided that what I need is a rifle scope mounted to the shoe on top of the camers. Anyone know of such a device? Think I could make one up from a shotgun mike mount?

Cheers, A.J.