I have shot with it 3 days now off and on and it definately seems better, and sharper across the rack, so i thin ki can safely say one of 2 things:
1. either it WAS out of calibration, or
2. the settings are in fact different for the XL1 and the 2 and when rest to align withthe needs of the XL@'s body and newer electronics, it works like it is supposed to.

Sorry for the delay, if anyones here.

thanks buzz...maybe I'll finally get off my butt and send mine in...glad to see that you got resolution to your problem.

Barry

Interesting note. So, one begins to wonder if a 'new' 3x lens shipped directly from Canon, will be better suited to an Xl2 then a 'used' one that has been around for a year or two?

I am going to hazzard a guess, and say that it's a case by case scenario. And it's up to the owners to notice and ship back???

Perhaps we can get an informal poll that might help to back up this theory. We know that some are seeing issues with the 3x lens and some aren't. Anyone who has one want to weigh in and let us know if they bought a new 3x lens, already had it as a holdover from xl1 days or had it sent in and adjusted.

My personal experience was that I borrowed a 3x lens in February and i had backfocus issues. I couldn't tell you for sure it's age but I think it was a holdover from my colleagues XL1 and as far as I know it was never sent in for backfocus adjustments.

FWIW.

Mines old, just like me.

The problem is, if someone owns both the XL1s & XL2 bodies, and then wants to use the 3X lens on both cameras in different circumstances.
At least when using a lens with a back-focus control, any slight differences can easily be adjusted by the user.

Come on Canon! - (or any independent lens maker) - build us a high quality MF X 3 lens with back-focus!

This is purely anecdotal on my part but my guess is that backwards compatibilty is likely not an issue. Its all about math and calibration sent via the pickups as the lense and body meet - when the 3X was originally built they would have been hard pressed to calibrate it at the time for the exact CCD's etc., in future cams.

More speculation on my part is Canon has no desire to pony up for ALL the 3X's that are migrating to XL2's - look at all the ones that show up on ebay - so their hope is some will pay the 90 bukcs i did, many will not, and there will be no 'recall' ....but hey, you never know.

any guesses how many 3X's there are in the field ? ( And PS - i think the 3X becomes more important on the XL2 due to the increase in pixel count to help create detail in wide, establishing shots.

Just my 2 cents.

The backfocus problem with the 3x lens on the XL-2 is big. Naturally it doensn't show up in broad daylight but if used af fully open iris it doesn't hold the focus at all. Canon recommends to use it in manual setting but also recommends to focus at the long end and then pull back, which is totally counter productive. Setting the lens to infinity (turning the focus ring to the left) in manual works, but not always. But even with an open iris the focus is OK from about 1.5 feet to infiinity, provided you can set the right focus. Using the focus button is very slow in low light. Perfect focus is very hard to see in the viewfinder in low light. I had backfocus problems with the Canon 16x and 3x on the XL-1 - the main reason why I sold the camera. The XL-2 with 10x lens is an excelent tool but even here sometimes my (automatic) focus was just a bit off in low light.

<<<-- Originally posted by Thomas Hoepker :The XL-2 with 10x lens is an excelent tool but even here sometimes my (automatic) focus was just a bit off in low light. -->>>

You do mean the 20x lens, right?

Sorry, my mistake. I meant the 20x lens, of course...

SO I'm finally going to buy a 3x, and I'm trying to determine if I should buy used or new.

The questions centers on the apparent backfocus issue. According to this thread and others, older 3x Lenses have issues with the Xl2 (which I shoot on.) Researching other threads, it SEEMS as though canon may/may not adjust the back focus for appx ninety US dollars, on the older lenses?

IF I buy brand spanking new, say from BH... IS there still an issue? Do I have to send it in to get the adjustment?

I'd like an answer from someone who has just bought a new 3x, and how it sits on their XL2.

Thanks, oh vast and unpaid research department.

I sent my 3x Lens back to Canon, because the focus was out, on both my cameras, when using it.
They checked it over, and returned it, at no cost, saying, there was nothing wrong with it.
I wasn't going to use it again, cos I knew what I'd seen! But later, thought, I'd put it on and give it a go! Glad I did. It now work perfectly well!
"Ours not to reason why....." can't remember the rest!

Mike.

Michael.

Was the 3x a NEW recent purchase, and was it on the XL2? Which service center did you return it to, Ivine or the one in New Jersey?

Thanks.

Oh, I see you're in the UK, so I'm sure it was a service center in the UK.

The Lens, I had from new, had been used for about 3 years on my XL1S. It worked fine, but when I changed to the XL2, I noticed the problem. With it being on both XL2 Cams, I sent it to Canon U.K. we don't have any other option!
Still, they didn't charge me, and now it focuses as it should!
There's talk about a 6x lens, now that would be a handy lens to have!

Mike.

MIchael,

Thanks, but I wouldn't consider a three year old lens "New" in the sense of newly purchased. I guess I am trying to determine if 3x lenses manufactured SINCE THE RELEASE OF THE XL2, or perhaps since the issue of the back focus has been uncovered, are being shipped in a different condition than those purchased priour to the release of the XL2.

So, from my perpective, you had issues with a 'pre XL2' lens. Which is what everyone has pretty much admitted.

Thanks for the speedy replies.

R

I see what you mean. I was saying, the lens was new, when I bought it for my XL1s. When next buying a camera, I won't automatically assume that the Canon lenses, I have, will work on the latest Canon Camera.
So I will have a wider choice of camera manufacturer, which will suite me!
I would have thought more of Canon, if they'd said, "we've adjusted the lens to suite the XL2" I know makers never admit to any problems, under any circumstances. And if "everything in the garden was rosey" these message boards wouldn't exist,would they?
I hope you get your lens.

Mike.

I keep reading all of these threads about back focus problems with the 3X when used on the XL2, but not too many that come from actual experience. Most are, "well, I head!!!"

Just used my XL2 with the 20X and 3X for a shoot today, and I just couldn't do some things without the 3X, it is just a savior!

Technically, realistically any back focus issue would not be changed or caused by what camera it is mounted on---------Period! It would be a lens adjustment issue with any and all cameras it is used on. Also, the lens has a lesser problem with focus because of the far wider depth of field that it has. Also, because of the short length, you seldom zoom in and back out, it is just not necessary, as the range is not nearly as deep.

In one shot today, we were going to do a way out of focus shot and then do a focus adjustment as a way to do the intro. We decided against in the end and a good thing as far as I was concerned, especially as I could not get it out of focus enough to make any real difference!

Richard, I would be happy to send you my “old” 3x to try out. I don’t think I will need it for a couple of weeks. You can play with it and see if you like it, but you can’t keep it! I want it back someday. Serious!

Mike

Mike,

Thanks for the offer, but I wouldn't want you to put your gear the the trials and tribulations of 'shipping' unnecessarily.

Yes, your point about all of the talk being anecdotal is just what I am trying to nail down. I'm looking for someone who specifically bought a recent version of the 3x, and put it on their XL2.

Basically, I'm trying to decide if it's worth buying the lens full price. If I have to ship a lens in to get it adjusted, even if it's brand new, then I'll definately buy used.

Thanks for your observations. Much appreciated.

Mike,

Thanks for the offer, but I wouldn't want you to put your gear the the trials and tribulations of 'shipping' unnecessarily.

Yes, your point about all of the talk being anecdotal is just what I am trying to nail down. I'm looking for someone who specifically bought a recent version of the 3x, and put it on their XL2.

Basically, I'm trying to decide if it's worth buying the lens full price. If I have to ship a lens in to get it adjusted, even if it's brand new, then I'll definately buy used.

Thanks for your observations. Much appreciated.


Richard,

Shipping is not really a problem at all. Faster times and better care are making the process very painless. It would not be a problem.

Mike

I doubt if Canon has actually made any more 3X lenses since they stopped production of the XL1s and all new lenses would come from existing stocks.

I also doubt if Canon would have adjusted any new 3X lenses for use on the XL2 (compared to the XL1 & XL1s) prior to shipping for worldwide distribution without letting anyone know of the changes.

I would expect all 3X lenses, both the early and latest models, to be exactly the same, and the only ones that have received some slight adjustments were the used ones that have been sent back to Canon for recalibration.

Hi. I bought my 3x used in Atlanta several years ago. I was using the XL-1s at the time and I did have a focus problem. I sent the lens and the camcorder to Canon. When I got it back the back focus was re-calibrated and it worked great. I then bought the XL-2 and, thankfully my old 3x works great on it. I use it all the time with no focus problem. It is unbelievable how much I use and like this lens. I to wish that the stock lens (20x and 3x) had the adjuster like the manual lens. Anyway, if the 3x is out of focus sent the lens and camcorder in and Canon will adjust it. Bob

Okay, so the concensus seems to be. "Buy it, if there's a problem send it in." So I'll opt for the used route.

Thanks team.

Richard,
Definately buy it new. I had to return mine to Canon N.J.THREE times (last time was after wrranty period) and they fixed it free.
Bruce S. Yarock
www.yarock.com

Too late.

Pulled the trigger on a used lens. SHould be here at the end of the week. Guess we'll see if there are back focus problems. I'll post here the results of my experience.

Richard,
Hopefully you'll get a good lens. Mime lsot all focus and zoom control THREE different times....It's working now.
Good luck.
Bruce S. Yarock
www.yarock.com

The other day my I turned on the camera and got a check lens in the view finder. Nothing on the lens works. It won't focus, zoom or anything. Not even manually. Help! I think the problem may be an issue with the camera! It's as if something is cross-wired.

Cleveland,
Mine did the same thin on THREE seperate occasions and had to be returned to Canon THREE times for the same repair. Now I cross my fingers when I use the 3x.
Bruce S. Yarock
www.yarock.com