there seem to be alot of choices out there as to full manual lenses
is the canon 16X manual the simple best choice or are there other lenses that are just as good to use that are not as expensive?
there seem to be alot of people talking about ariflex and ive also noticed fujinon lenses?
im currently using an Xl1 with the stock 16x lens works great looking to get a little more creative with a manual set up
thanks
p.s. price is an issue, as im shure many others can realte too

See my Guide to XL1 / XL1S Lens Options at:

http://www.dvinfo.net/canon/articles/article58.php

I think it's fairly comprehensive.

I just purchased the 16X manual canon lens and it's a great lens. I wouldn't go back to the autofocus ever again. It's focus is smooth and the zoom is silky slick. It's also sharper than the autofocus lens. Sell the autofocus and buy the manual for a few hundred dollars more.

the only way to get an arri lens on an xl cam is to get a pl mount converter. i believe there is a a magnification factor to consider when you use a straight converter. or you can look at a 35mm adapter. the redrockmicro m2 offers a pl mount.

if the 16x manual is out of your budget, i would consider the 14x manual, which is a bargain right now. the glass is just as good, and you gain fully manual, stepless aperture control. there are some major difference between the 14x and 16x, and the article chris referred to will point them out in detail.

14x is an excellent lens... they come up on Ebay every now and then. One there now as I type this, buy it now for $750 I think