Hi folks

What kind of lens attachment do you use for close-up/macro videography on the Canon XL-1 with the standard lens?

I would like to complete my collection as I currently have the Century Optics 0.6X wide angle and the Canon 1.6 XL Extender.

Thanks

A close-up adapter kit in 72mm mount work, and is available for around $75 in a set of +1, +2, and +4. Other strengths are available too. I/ve found the +2 from Tiffen works well for my relatively simple needs.

For highest quality consider the Century Precision Optics achromatic diopters, available in +2 and +3.5 for a lot more money. Details at http://www.centuryoptics.com/products/video/prodv/prodvdiopters.html

Just curious...why won't the macro function on the existing lens suit for needs.

Is it because you need to get an extreme close up while maintaining some distance from your subject?

Mike Avery

Take the lens hood off, and with sufficient lighting you can get the standard 16x lens as close as 3/16ths of an inch from your subject.

Yes, I can focus pretty close with the lens hood only when I'm all zoomed out. However, If I zoom all the way in, the closest I can focus is about 5 feet. Sometimes I need to focus closer.

Is there a way, perhaps adding diopters, to focus closer than feet when zoomed in? Is this still considered Macro mode?

Thanks

Macro mode operates at full wide -- no zooming. Instead of zooming in, move your camera closer to the subject. Take the lens hood off and you can get as close as 3/16ths of an inch, but you must be at the full wide focal length (no telephoto, no zooming allowed). Most macro lens attachments operate the same way, at full wide.

An issue is lighting the object and shadows cast by the lens. With a +2 close up adapter on the lens I can fill the screen with a 35mm negative size object from about 16 inches. Very nice for some types of work, even shooting color slides set on a light table. In maco setting with the object a fraction of an inch from the front element of the lens it is much more difficult to light the object or manipulate it.

You know if you have the iris closed down to its smallest setting you can get things to appear in sharp focus right on the lens. Don't believe me... try it. Take a newspaper, press it right up against the standard lens, light it from behind and presto. You probably don't want to do this kind of stuff if the standard lens is your only lens. I don't really care if I damage the standard lens, because I have a much better manual lens that I use regularly. At one time I had insects crawling right on the lens... it is one of my fondest memories.

What's cool is that all Canon camcorders can do this. Even the cheap little ZR's will focus right on the lens, exactly as you describe.

Did not see anyone mention the excellent Canon close up lens(500D) for the xl1...the quality of extreeme close ups is excellent..and it does not have to be used at full wide; it just makes the normal 16x lens a more versatile animal..This close up lens is a great piece of glass....I believe it is under$200.but I bought mine 4years ago, and dont remember the exact cost.For anyone shooting close ups and "macro" with the XL1. This is a nice accessory.

Interesting. I asked the Canon customer service folks several months ago about using their photo diopter, and they did not know anything about it.

Glad to hear it works well. It should be a great piece of glass. The 500D probably corresponds to a +2 in the world of closeup adapters, byut the Canon is probaly achromatic and coated, which the low cost units are not.

dr pepper:
what is the manual lens that you use? i am looking for my xl1s, and considering the new canon manual...

thanks!
andrew

Andrew,

I can't speak for dr pepper, but I use the canon 16x manual lens.

I'm very happy with it.

For more information you can check out a fairly lengthy discussion on a post titled "first impressions of the 16x manual lens".

Unless you really need all the automatic features on the standard lens, I don't see how you can go wrong with the manual model.

mike avery

mike,

thanks very much for the info-- i will check out that thread as well.

best to you,
andrew

Sorry, I know this thread is a few months old but I am interested in this area but I am new to the forum and I am just going back over the older threads.

I need to be able to video in macro mode while keeping a distance from the subject. The majority of the videos I shoot are in operating theatres and while the standard lens is fine for most operations I need to do some work for maxillo facial surgeons. This can involve intra oral (inside the mouth) sections.

As you can guess infection contol procedures require that I do not enter the sterile field so I need to keep back. I would normally work from the foot of the table so I am about six feet away from the mouth.

Any suggestions?

What lens are you using now and how much larger do you need to make the image? Twice as large, 4x as large? The closest distance you are allowed is ? Can you use a tripod or something to steady the camera?

Jeff

Sorry Jeff - it was a daft post and should have had more specific information.

Anyway, I am using the standard X16 5.5-88mm f1.6-2.6 that came with the camera (XL1). I have to work from the foot of the table, so say six feet from the mouth. I would need something in the region of a x4 factor over what I get at the present. The camera is always on a tripod.

The intra oral cavity is light via the theatre light so no problems there.

I was wondering about using an adaptor to mount a Canon prime lens from the still range. I really no nothing about these as my department is Nikon based.

Thanks

Ross

The Canon EOS EF adapter is going to work best for you. The XL1 1.6x adapter will not get you enough magnification. Canon has some fairly economical zooms in the range you'll need. Take a look at their site http://www.canon.co.uk/eflenses/index.html The EF 28-135mm IS lens is very highly recommended. If you want greater range try the EF 70-300 IS lens. The Image Stabilization will aid in hand holding when necessary. Not only will you be able to get the image size you want with the EOS EF lenses the image quality will improve also. You'll be using only the center portion of the lens (the sharpest, best corrected part).

Jeff

Thanks Jeff, I appreciate your time in taking to reply. I will work on this.

Ross

Hi,
I got my close-up attachments from the Filter Connection, great prices, fast service. 1+,2+and 4+ you'll find it on the web
Not very expensive.
Bruce

As a former entomologist I am amazed at the quaility of maco-video I can get from the XL-1. I use the standard 16x lens, a 1,2 or 4+ diopter, the 1.6 extender...and a good tripod! Depending on the situation I also use reflectors. I have incredable closeups of insects feeding, mating and laying eggs. Useing the 1.6 extender allows you to stay back and zoom close up. This is one magnificent camcorder. But believe me, YOU need to grow into ITS potential. I have had mine for years and I am still amazed at how much I learn about it by just getting out and shooting video! Bob