Anyone recommend Wide-Angle lens for Gliding with the XH-A1 at DVinfo.net

Richard Wakefield · February 3rd, 2009, 02:28 PM

Hi all,

Currently I'm using a glidecam and xh-a1, but find that without an additional lens the glide wobbles are noticeable.
However, with my 16x9 Super Fisheye lens, it's a superb smooth glide but the fisheye effect is just too much after several shots.

So my question is, which wide angle lens might i head for that will be a good all-rounder (wide, little or no distortion, zoom-thru, well-made)

0.6, 0.7, 0.8x??? Century Optics? 16x9?
Any tried and tested?

Many thanks, Richard

Battle Vaughan · February 3rd, 2009, 05:59 PM

There is a huge sticky on this (top of this thread) but you might like the WD-H72 that Canon makes specifically for the XHA1. For your purpose a drawback might be that it adds considerable weight to the camera. It is otherwise an excellent piece of glass and we use it constantly. //Battle Vaughan'/miamiherald.com video team

Daniel Caruso · February 4th, 2009, 10:03 AM

yes, the canon wide lens is great...never take mine off. plus it just looks like a real camera with that huge hood =]. but im guessing the more weight the more centred your glidecam will be. with the die lens on i just throw it back more on the plate to make up the front heavy. you might also try without any lenses on the camera, to lower the post and add more weight for a better centre of gravity. and, one thing i did...i have the arm brace but if you have something to clamp to a desk or workbench to freely hold up the glidecam. with it freely floating not by you holding, you can get a perfect balance reading. some tips i have found from using mine.

dan

Richard Wakefield · February 4th, 2009, 12:42 PM

Thanks guys, really helpful

I find the super fisheye pretty heavy anyway, and as Daniel has said, i simply take this into consideration when balancing.

I'll def. look into that lens, thank alot

Oliver Horn · February 4th, 2009, 01:16 PM

I leave the Canon WA on almost all the time. I find a heavier setup easier to balance and fly on my Stedicam Co-Pilot.
Oliver.

February 3rd, 2009, 02:28 PM	#1
Richard Wakefield Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Surrey, UK Posts: 680	Anyone recommend Wide-Angle lens for Gliding with the XH-A1 Hi all, Currently I'm using a glidecam and xh-a1, but find that without an additional lens the glide wobbles are noticeable. However, with my 16x9 Super Fisheye lens, it's a superb smooth glide but the fisheye effect is just too much after several shots. So my question is, which wide angle lens might i head for that will be a good all-rounder (wide, little or no distortion, zoom-thru, well-made) 0.6, 0.7, 0.8x??? Century Optics? 16x9? Any tried and tested? Many thanks, Richard

February 3rd, 2009, 05:59 PM	#2
Battle Vaughan Trustee Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami, FL USA Posts: 1,505	There is a huge sticky on this (top of this thread) but you might like the WD-H72 that Canon makes specifically for the XHA1. For your purpose a drawback might be that it adds considerable weight to the camera. It is otherwise an excellent piece of glass and we use it constantly. //Battle Vaughan'/miamiherald.com video team

February 4th, 2009, 10:03 AM	#3
Daniel Caruso Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Newmarket, Ontario Posts: 90	yes, the canon wide lens is great...never take mine off. plus it just looks like a real camera with that huge hood =]. but im guessing the more weight the more centred your glidecam will be. with the die lens on i just throw it back more on the plate to make up the front heavy. you might also try without any lenses on the camera, to lower the post and add more weight for a better centre of gravity. and, one thing i did...i have the arm brace but if you have something to clamp to a desk or workbench to freely hold up the glidecam. with it freely floating not by you holding, you can get a perfect balance reading. some tips i have found from using mine. dan

February 4th, 2009, 12:42 PM	#4
Richard Wakefield Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Surrey, UK Posts: 680	Thanks guys, really helpful I find the super fisheye pretty heavy anyway, and as Daniel has said, i simply take this into consideration when balancing. I'll def. look into that lens, thank alot

February 4th, 2009, 01:16 PM	#5
Oliver Horn Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 57	I leave the Canon WA on almost all the time. I find a heavier setup easier to balance and fly on my Stedicam Co-Pilot. Oliver.