Canon 3x wide angle lens

Chris Hurd · May 22nd, 2005, 10:38 AM

That little red light by the power dial is tiny. You have to kind of train yourself to look for it each time you put the camera away (or when you change the lens).

Michele Lombardo · July 1st, 2005, 01:36 AM

Hi Scott,
I'm from Italy, and finally I received my 3x wide lens and formatt fm-500 matte box.
It's a wonderful setup and I can confirm there's no vignette using 3x wide lens, matte box filming in 16:9!!!

Bye

Michele

Rainer Hoffmann · July 1st, 2005, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christopher Go

Actually, the reason we see so few reports of using the XL2 with a matte box is because matte box manufacturers only just started producing camera plates/rods supports for the XL2.

At least this was the case for Chrosziel who only announced their XL2 rods support just last month and in fact I'm not even sure they're shipping yet (they are however, available now for order).

I can confirm, that the Chrosziel support rods and camera plate for the XL2 are available. I got mine about 2 weeks ago.

EDIT: I just had a look at the date of your post, Christopher, so I guess you are aware, that the Chrosziel stuff for the XL2 is availbale by now. I better read carefully before I post a reply!

Greg Milneck · July 1st, 2005, 05:02 PM

I have used the Cavision mattebox with the 3X lens and was very happy. It did not vignette. I recently sold it on ebay and the buyer wrote back that he was very pleased (he was also using it on a 3X).

I also have a used 3X lens in mint condition I may sell if anyone is interested. We just dont use it that much, it was probably used a dozen times.

Tony Smusz · July 5th, 2005, 01:31 PM

Greg,
I am interested in your 3x lens. How much are you asking?
Thanks,
Tony

Ed Szarleta · August 3rd, 2005, 12:22 PM

I have noticed some threads on the 3X not maintaining focus after pulling back from telephoto (backfocus issue?) Some said they sent it back to Canon for calibration to the XL2. Didn't seem to be a problem on the XL1/s. Anyone know if they recently bought a 3X and have had issues? Possibly some new batches have been modified. This is an issue I can't deal with given my fast pace of shooting, so if anyone can chime in, it would be appreciated.

Jay Gladwell · August 3rd, 2005, 01:38 PM

I recently shot a documentary and 80% of it was shot with the 3x. I didn't have any problems.

Jay

Kevin Janisch · August 3rd, 2005, 01:56 PM

Ed,

I got my 3x a month ago and no problems. It is a great lens!

Kevin

Ash Greyson · August 3rd, 2005, 02:40 PM

No issues here either...

ash =o)

Ed Szarleta · August 3rd, 2005, 03:23 PM

Thanks guys. Appreciate it.

Marty Hudzik · August 3rd, 2005, 10:19 PM

I had problems with the 3x on mine. It was fine outdoors or when the lighting allowed for a f5.6 or so. But when in lower light settings at f1.8 to f3.2 I would zoom, set critical focus and zoom out. The image absolutely went soft and a minor tweak on the focus pulled it in. Textbook backfocus issue.

I was borrowing it so I could not send it off for calibration to see if that fixed it. Having said that I must say that the wide end of this lens, when properly focused (which was easy in good light) looked amazing. I'd love to try another one if someone will loan me theirs!

For those without issue.....did you buy it new from Canon since the XL2 was released or are these 3x units you are using old stock from xl1 days?

Jay Gladwell · August 4th, 2005, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marty Hudzik

For those without issue.....did you buy it new from Canon since the XL2 was released or are these 3x units you are using old stock from xl1 days?

I bought my 3x when I bought my first XL1 years ago. So I guess that would be considered "old stock."

Jay

Marty Hudzik · August 4th, 2005, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay Gladwell

I bought my 3x when I bought my first XL1 years ago. So I guess that would be considered "old stock."

Jay

Jay,
It worked great immediately or did you have to send to Canon for a backfocus adjustment? Also....you have no issues even in low light with the iris wide open? That is where I saw the problem. I shot some stuff outside and that all came out great. But I was always at f5.6 and above so the backfocus issue didn't rear it's ugly head there.

I really thought the 3x was a great piece of glass and would love to use it again if I can straighten out this one problem that I "personally" saw.

Robert Luke · August 6th, 2005, 10:31 PM

mine works fine. i bought it way after the xl2 came out. the guy at the store said it was sent after the xl2 was distributed so i assume it was calliberated or something.

Jay Gladwell · August 7th, 2005, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marty Hudzik

Jay,
It worked great immediately or did you have to send to Canon for a backfocus adjustment? Also....you have no issues even in low light with the iris wide open? That is where I saw the problem. I shot some stuff outside and that all came out great. But I was always at f5.6 and above so the backfocus issue didn't rear it's ugly head there.

I really thought the 3x was a great piece of glass and would love to use it again if I can straighten out this one problem that I "personally" saw.

No, It's never seen Canon since the day it left. I've had no issues in low light. The doc I referred to was shot in low light (usually with the auto gain).

Jay

May 22nd, 2005, 10:38 AM	#151
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	That little red light by the power dial is tiny. You have to kind of train yourself to look for it each time you put the camera away (or when you change the lens). __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

July 1st, 2005, 01:36 AM	#152
Michele Lombardo Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Italy Posts: 32	Hi Scott, I'm from Italy, and finally I received my 3x wide lens and formatt fm-500 matte box. It's a wonderful setup and I can confirm there's no vignette using 3x wide lens, matte box filming in 16:9!!! Bye Michele __________________ Michele Lombardo Milan - Italy

July 1st, 2005, 05:02 PM	#154
Greg Milneck Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 145	I have used the Cavision mattebox with the 3X lens and was very happy. It did not vignette. I recently sold it on ebay and the buyer wrote back that he was very pleased (he was also using it on a 3X). I also have a used 3X lens in mint condition I may sell if anyone is interested. We just dont use it that much, it was probably used a dozen times. __________________ www.digitalfx.tv

July 5th, 2005, 01:31 PM	#155
Tony Smusz Tourist Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 1	Wanted: 3x lens Greg, I am interested in your 3x lens. How much are you asking? Thanks, Tony

August 3rd, 2005, 12:22 PM	#156
Ed Szarleta Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 156	3x wide on XL2 I have noticed some threads on the 3X not maintaining focus after pulling back from telephoto (backfocus issue?) Some said they sent it back to Canon for calibration to the XL2. Didn't seem to be a problem on the XL1/s. Anyone know if they recently bought a 3X and have had issues? Possibly some new batches have been modified. This is an issue I can't deal with given my fast pace of shooting, so if anyone can chime in, it would be appreciated.

August 3rd, 2005, 01:38 PM	#157
Jay Gladwell Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,244	I recently shot a documentary and 80% of it was shot with the 3x. I didn't have any problems. Jay

August 3rd, 2005, 01:56 PM	#158
Kevin Janisch Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 406	Ed, I got my 3x a month ago and no problems. It is a great lens! Kevin

August 3rd, 2005, 02:40 PM	#159
Ash Greyson Trustee Join Date: May 2003 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,689	No issues here either... ash =o)

August 3rd, 2005, 03:23 PM	#160
Ed Szarleta Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 156	Thanks guys. Appreciate it.

August 3rd, 2005, 10:19 PM	#161
Marty Hudzik Trustee Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Canton, Ohio Posts: 1,771	I had problems with the 3x on mine. It was fine outdoors or when the lighting allowed for a f5.6 or so. But when in lower light settings at f1.8 to f3.2 I would zoom, set critical focus and zoom out. The image absolutely went soft and a minor tweak on the focus pulled it in. Textbook backfocus issue. I was borrowing it so I could not send it off for calibration to see if that fixed it. Having said that I must say that the wide end of this lens, when properly focused (which was easy in good light) looked amazing. I'd love to try another one if someone will loan me theirs! For those without issue.....did you buy it new from Canon since the XL2 was released or are these 3x units you are using old stock from xl1 days?

August 6th, 2005, 10:31 PM	#164
Robert Luke Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 45	mine works fine. i bought it way after the xl2 came out. the guy at the store said it was sent after the xl2 was distributed so i assume it was calliberated or something.