Attaching DSLR lenses to a camcorder

[Peter Berger]

Is this possible without 35mm adapter? I was wondering: are photo lenses for Canon DSLRs compatible with video lenses for Canon camcorders?
Lets say I have few lenses for Canon DSLRs... its possible to attach them to some type of a camcorder?

[Chris Hurd]

Camcorder lenses are designed for camcorder sensors, which are considerably smaller than the image sensor in a D-SLR. So even if you could find a way to mount a camcorder lens to a D-SLR, it won't make an image circle big enough to fill the frame.

Meanwhile, you can use 35mm photo lenses on the XL and XL H series camcorders (not the XH series, which is the forum where you're posting right now), but they do require an adapter. See these threads from our XL2 and XL1S / XL1 boards for more information:

XL2: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-xl...-eos-lens.html

XL1: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-xl...-eos-lens.html

Hope this helps,

[Peter Berger]

Thanks for help.

I have one more question: its possible to achieve shallower depth of field with cameras that have these interchangeable lenses? I mean the similar shallow depth of field as I can achieve with DOF adapter? Is there some difference in that comparing to cameras which does not have interchangeable lenses?

[Steve Phillipps]

You only get the shallower depth of field with the Letus adapter etc. Adapter mounts that just allow you to physically attach the lenses to the camcorders don't change dof characteristics, ie a 50mm still lens will have the same dof as the camcorder's lens at 50mm.
Steve

[Chris Hurd]

Yes, you can get shallow depth-of-field with a standard camcorder zoom lens:

The Ultimate Depth-of-Field Skinny at DVInfo.net

Comes with some trade-offs, though, such as working in the telephoto end of the zoom range.

But it's certainly possible.

[Peter Berger]

Originally Posted by Steve Phillipps

You only get the shallower depth of field with the Letus adapter etc. Adapter mounts that just allow you to physically attach the lenses to the camcorders don't change dof characteristics, ie a 50mm still lens will have the same dof as the camcorder's lens at 50mm.
Steve

I see. So the reason for this is the DOF adapter's focusing screen which is bigger than camcorder sensors? And what about those big movie HD cameras like CineAlta, Genesis etc? Do they need DOF adapter too (for getting shallower depth of field)?
(Just curious, I have no experience with cameras like this)