The 3X is the tool. The C.O. product is good, but not as flexible.
Now to your more important issue. Your post shows tourist. From where? There are many folks here who might take to the idea of helping you out with a rental situation for not too much $. If you can plan your sequences and scenes well, perhaps you could do this inside of a couple of days?

Works... but only really useable in 4:3 mode, in 16:9 there is lots of distortion and most adapters will be in the viewable area. I have used it for effect though...



ash =o)

Hi Michael. Thanks for posting the comparisons, but can you please check the links because I can't open them. Thanks.

Richard

Jeff,
Are you in south fl? I did some shooting during and after Wilma, and we're editing a 30 minute doc. I'd like to see what you did.
I have all 3 lenses for my xl2 (3x, 16x manual and 20x).
give me an email or call.
Bruce yarock
yarock at aol dot com
954-431-0940

Hey sorry about that, just moved to new server and images didnt get copied...Link works now.

I've noticed my 3X zoom loses focus as soon as I hit the zoom button which I find most annoying as it does spoil the shot. It will come back into focus. I'm using auto focus. I did read some threads a while back about back focus and other focusing issues etc with this lens, but I can't remember the exact content.
Are all 3X zooms like this? It seems to show up worst zooming in from its widest setting. It was a new lens at the beginning of the year.

This might sound like a silly question, and I'm sure it won't be helpful, but why don't you just use manual focus?

Since it regains focus, I don't think it is a backfocus issue. It is tough for all autofocus systems to lock on quickly under the various combinations of any of these circumstances:
- 24p (or to a lesser extent, 30p), as compared to 60i autofocus speed
- low light
- lack of vertical lines or detail in the image
- very bright lights (sunlight) in-frame..."blinds" the autofocus system

I like the 3x lens, but like any device, it is better suited for some things than others. It does seem to me also that the 3x autofocus is a little slower than that of the 20x. Because I shoot either 30p or 24pA, both of which slow down the ability of the autofocus system compared to the same shot in 60i, I really lean toward manual focus. Expecially if I'm going to do a zoom shot, I pretty much will plan to set up the focus manually. Unfortunately, autofocus isn't perfect on any camera and can't always save the day. Practicing manual focus is still a necessity for sharp video.

The Sony PD170 is probably the fastest auto-focus I've seen so far, even still, it is not perfect. As Pete says, frame rate, low light, bright lights, even the PD170 will be throw off balance. Manual is best, but if you do run and gun stuff, it may be tedious at times to keep things in focus, especially with servo driven focus rings.

Plus, like the other auto lenses, the 3x has only one motor shared between zoom and focus. If you're zooming, it can't focus even if the autofocus wants to until you stop zooming. You didn't say which way you were going with the zoom, but the best method is to zoom in, focus, zoom out to desired frame. Then, when you zoom in, the lens should hold focus. If you're starting on a wide shot, you might think you are focused but it will become apparent as you zoom in if your aren't, hence the method I described above.

-gb-

Wow! Really, only one motor to share the focus and zoom? Interesting! I would imagine that this is to reduce the length of the lens to be as wide as possible?

Just had a home steadycam rig built (codydeegan.com plans) and was wondering if any other XL2 users were using steadycams. Any tips? I have the 20x and 3x lens and was planning on using the wideangle for smoother shots, but I know that the auto focus is better on the 20x + the OIS. I will test both and go with what works best (only tested for 5 minutes with 3x and man it looks like footage was taken by a flying camera!), but just wanted some insight. Also, 60i is obviously smoother than 30p and 24p, but output will be to 24p DVD, so has anybody converted to 24p from 60i with good results? Thanks.

Kevin

I think the 3x would give you more DOF, no? Then you have a little bit more freedom with the steadycam.
As I don't have the 3x, I can't say if there's much difference.

Yes to all the above except for one item.
Never use autofocus. Push AF for a quick set, but that's it.
For 24p footage at 16x9 and finished output to ntsc dvd, the xl2 is superb. Just stay smooth....
I use my 3x all the time with great success.

Thanks!!!!!!

Sorry, I haven't taken the time to thank everyone for their responses.

Michael especialy... your images were superb.


As for Wilma, I live in Punta Gorda and only got the extreme western outer eyewall, so winds were only like 60-80mph. I got 130kt winds last year with hurricane charley, the sunny eye, etc... but it was all shot on my beloved low-end, single ccd camcorder.

If you are curious, you can see my charley would be movie here (halfway down the page, the guy hosting it offers a link):

http://flhurricane.com/cyclone/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=35014&page=0&fpart=4&vc=1

The camerawork is absolutly horrendous, fyi.

Hi guys,
I am interested in Canon 3x wideangle lens for my XL2. Has anyone used a Canon 3X wideangle lens? If yes, can you write a review to me and if you have any footage with that lens, can you guys email it to me at zbasith@earthlink.net.
I am shooting with XL2 and am very much interested in the wideangle lens.
I'd really like to see some footage with it please.
Thanks,

Zia

Zia,

DVinfo's Search has had some troubles since a software upgrade, but you should be able to find many posts, some with links to frame grabs and footage, by either accessing Search from the home page or in some browser software (IE6 for sure) by right clicking Search and opening in a new window. The green-colored link at the bottom of my posts should work as well.

Nothing wrong with people e-mailing each other, but for a request of general interest like this, I always like to encourage people to post here rather than keeping the knowledge to themselves.

The 3x is a fine lens; preliminarily, I've found that despite conventional wisdom that it is a "soft" lens, it stands up pretty well for use at HDV resolution:

http://www.geosynchrony.com/scratchpad.htm

You'll enjoy using it.

can you write a review... and can you guys email it to meJust to echo what Pete said above, the whole point of a community message board is so that we can all learn from each other as a collective experience. Instead of a private email, please share your input in public, right here, so that everyone may benefit equally. Thanks in advance,

I'm wondering if anyone has had this problem. My lens has been nicely protected in my equipment bag, and the other day I took it out for a shoot and it wouldn't work (no focus, no zoom, manually or with control.) The only thing that happens is a small "16" flashes beside the zoom indicator in the viewfinder. I have picture, but other than that ... dead lens.

If you have any info, I'd appreciate it. BTW, I have always powered the camera off before changing lenses.

Dave Wowchuk

I'm wondering if anyone has had this problem. My lens has been nicely protected in my equipment bag, and the other day I took it out for a shoot and it wouldn't work (no focus, no zoom, manually or with control.) The only thing that happens is a small "16" flashes beside the zoom indicator in the viewfinder. I have picture, but other than that ... dead lens.

If you have any info, I'd appreciate it. BTW, I have always powered the camera off before changing lenses.

Dave Wowchuk

Probably not the answer you want to hear, but a trip to Canon service is likely in order. There have been others that have experienced the same thing. Since the lens uses the same motor for zoom and focus, it's typical that you lose both functions at the same time. I believe this is the first occurrance I've heard of on the 3X.

-gb-

Dave,

It's a pretty crazy coincidence, but I just got back from shooting and in the middle of my day my 3x stopped working as well. It has VERY few hours of work time and right in the middle of the day, just stopped. Here's what happened to me:

1) used it all day...no problems.
2) took it out for one of the last shots of the day and when I turned on the camera, I got a "check lens" error.
3) I took off the lens, reseated it and got a picture, but was unable to focus (manual or auto) and was not able to zoom.
4) when I got home, I threw on the 20x and realized that works just fine.

So, camera seems ok. But what is going on with the lens? I don't know. Just thought I'd let you know you weren't alone. If you find anything out, let me know. I'll do the same for you.

Well,

I loved my lens until stopped working this morning. There's a post further up the boards on this issue. Before this morning though, it was a great lens. I've found that some of the cons I read about the lens (the soft focus issue listed above included) were just things that I needed to think about while shooting. Just like the camera itself, you need to use it and get to know it. All in all, I was really happy with the images.

The Canon 3x Wide Angle lens is a great addition to your toolkit.

The issue of "softness" has been addressed above.

I find it very useful. On my most recent shoot, during a Christmas festival concert, it was the only lens that I used. The standard lens would not have been wide enough, and I could zoom in as far as I needed from my fixed position. My movements were restricted due to the nature of the event, nor could I change lenses without missing some of the material. The lens worked great for this event.

Overall, I use this lens at least once in over half of my shoots.

The lens is not "image stabalized", but this is not an issue, you will not miss it in most instances.

In my opinion, this is a good purchase.

The same happened to me.

Sounds like a blown lens fuse. Didy ou take it off without powering down the cam? I got mine replaced.

Matthew,

In my case, I did not change lenses with the power on. I always power down when changing lenses. When you had a problem, did you replace the fuse, or did Canon replace the entire unit?

Jamie

Canon programmed all 3x lenses to break at midnight 12/17/2005.

I thought you guys knew?

*smile*

- ShannonRawls.com

Someone else had this problem a while back, suggested that they take off the main battery, the backup battery and the lens. Put the backup battery back in after over 5 minutes, the lens with a full and prominent CLICK and finally the main battery and see what happens. In his case, the erros went away. Give it a try, you never know. Also as has been mentioned here a couple of times, change the lens with full power OFF or better yet, take the battery off and change the lens.

Well, I had my little "accident" fairly early in my XL2 career, and the store, was good enough to replace the entire lens and send back the blown one to canon as a defective product!

Good store.

Matt

Well, it's nice (or maybe it isn't) to know that this has happened to others. December 17th ... mark this day on your calendar for next year. I hope sending it back to Canon is a simple affair ... maybe they'll fix the focus-thru-zoom issue with the lens too. Lamers.

I got spoiled this past week when using the Sony DSR450. But it wasn't convincing enough to make me spend $40,000.

DW

So I got my lens back from Canon, and they had o replace the PCB inside. I must have really cooked it. I asked them to check into the lens not holding focus through zoom ... and they didn't fix it. Now they want me to send it back again. How lame.

Is this a known problem with the lens, or what?

DW

Dave I have had the exact samee problems that you have had. Back in early December my 3X suddenly stopped working... of course in the middle of my shoot. Focus, Zoom, and Iris went out. I had to send it back to Canon for repairs. It just came back and now the damn thing will not hold focus. I called the dealer where I bought and they called their Canon Rep. Lucky for me they replaced it with a new lens. I shouldn't say lucky since this is what they should do, but in these dark days of horrible customer support-- well, i think everybody knows how it is.

My advice-- call your Canon rep.

last august my 3x lens topped working.No focus , no zoom. sent it back to Canon, and it came back working fine. Last month the SAME thing happened again. Sent it back again, and this time spoke to "Sal" at the jamesburgh N.J. factory repair center. he said it was the printed circuit board. he was helpfull and I got it back in about 10 days.
I plan to consult the ouiji (sp?) board for it's opinion on how long the lens will keep working this time.
Bruce yarock

i noticed that in some of my shots using the 3x lens, 16x9, the edges of the frame were out of focus. is the lens a damaged unit, or is this really a problem?

Mo,

There is some anecdotal evidence, that the back focus on some early 3x lenses is out when placed on the new Xl2's. Apparently the newer versions of the lens don't suffer from this. It's possible this is your problem. Send the lens to Canon and have them check the back focus.

thanks. it was a rental so i guess i just wont rent from them

it's always a good idea when renting to let the place you rented from know if there's something wrong with an item so they can repair it - that way in the future, you'll be happier and so will others renting. They may also refund you the rental fee if the item isn't working properly.

Ahhh, a rental. No telling how it's been used or abused before it got into your hands... so yeah, tell the rental house about it.

actually, i did report it. i don't really know the supplier. it was the producer's contact. they probably got the cheapest. it even had fungi.

sample frame:

http://www.geocities.com/moiseszee/MAMedgeblur1.bmp

The lower edges are indeed terrible...but the image is also very soft throughout the frame, even at the centre. Was the camera hand-held or on a tripod?

This has been discussed extensively here. The 3x will not focus at the shortest focal length setting. You can verify this easily by zooming out to 10 mm, focusing on something and then resetting the zoom the the shortest F.L. The image will be out of focus. As you rotate the focus ring to bring it in it won't go quite far enough. Many people have reported this problem. I can't recall anyone having reported it fixed. If it is fixable I'd love to have it done.

MTF edge testing confirms that this lens is as sharp as the lens than Canon ships with the XL-H1 at its long setting but is appreciably blurrier at its shortest focal length which is, of course, the focal length we all bought the thing for.

Desipite the lens problems... that is an awsome location!
Details?

thanks for your replies. if i remember correctly, i just couldn't get focus for this particular shot. maybe because this scene was artificially lit & my iris was wide open? it is on a tripod.

here is the reverse using the 20x lens:
http://www.geocities.com/moiseszee/MAM20x.bmp

another shot with the 3x that seems in focus but with the edge blurred specially the left side, fstop 1.8:
http://www.geocities.com/moiseszee/MAMedgeblur2.bmp

3x lens at least fstop 5.6. looks ok
http://www.geocities.com/moiseszee/MAMglidecam3x.bmp

matthew, it's a church in the province. i forget the name. it didn't look that good because they painted the walls green. the warm light offsets it

Dave
I had the same problem with my 3X zoom last year. See my thread that I posted. A PCB had expired, which was changed by one of their service centres here in the UK. I was surprised at how quickly the lens was turned round. I think they must have had a supply of these boards. I did expect to have to wait a few weeks. It could be a weak point. I also find it odd that you must power down the camera before a lens change. I can change lenses on my EOS1D digital SLR powered up so why can't I do the same on the XL2? I think the auto-focus could be better, mines goes out of focus as soon as you hit the zoom switch, then comes back in.

hello,
just got back from a 3 week trip to nepal. all went fine and the camera (xl2) held up excellent, except the 3x lens...
the first 2 days in kathmandu all equipment worked fine. the third day in the morning i changed to the 3x lens (i used it the day before as well), it said "check lens" in the view finder. i did. and then it worked for a few minutes. after that it started having its own will! after 6-7 sec of turning on the camera, the lens either went out of focus, black or totally overexposed (bright as the sun). the zoom didn't work from either manual or camera controlled. about 25% of the times i turned it on it stayed good.
i'm kinda hoping that it could be something that i can fix myself but doubt that.
it's still under warranty (bougth at bh)
anyone have any ides? anyone had similiar probs with their 3x?
should i just send it back!?
all the equipment is transported very carefully in a semihard camera pack.
appreciate any help
thanks
t

Is it possible you took the lens off wihtout powering down? You can blow a fuse in the lens if you do this! check the lens on another body first. Maybe at the store.

hi Matthew,
nope, i never changed a lens without powering down. the lens still works about 25% of the time. any other ideas?

hello,
just got back from a 3 week trip to nepal. all went fine and the camera (xl2) held up excellent, except the 3x lens...
the first 2 days in kathmandu all equipment worked fine. the third day in the morning i changed to the 3x lens (i used it the day before as well), it said "check lens" in the view finder. i did. and then it worked for a few minutes. after that it started having its own will! after 6-7 sec of turning on the camera, the lens either went out of focus, black or totally overexposed (bright as the sun). the zoom didn't work from either manual or camera controlled. about 25% of the times i turned it on it stayed good.
i'm kinda hoping that it could be something that i can fix myself but doubt that.
it's still under warranty (bougth at bh)
anyone have any ides? anyone had similiar probs with their 3x?
should i just send it back!?
all the equipment is transported very carefully in a semihard camera pack.
appreciate any help
thanks
t

This sounds like an intermittent contact either inside the lens or on the external contacts. Is the lens working better since you returned? These contact issues can somtimes be the result of the climate you are operating in.

-gb-

its still the same.
sometimes the zoom work for about 3-4 sec. stops working and the screen goes out of focus. nothing works and then after tunring it off and then on again it sometimes work or it's still out of focus.