OK - now I love the XL-2 lens at DVinfo.net

Chris Mills · November 24th, 2004, 02:36 AM

So now that I know *how* to focus the stock lens I have to say I simply love it.

Now what I need is to find someone in Wellington who has a Century Optics Wide Adapter that I can try out...

Sid Tran · November 24th, 2004, 04:06 PM

Man I'm still trying to get used to operating with the xl2! I did some test shot outside today and it was bright as hell. I had the shutter at 1/48 and all I saw were zebra patterns. Is it normal to use the ND filter for outside shot? I'm getting used to holding the camera on shoulder I guess.

Hey Chris, do you mind sharing your thoughts on *how* to focus? I'm trying to learn as much as I can with the xl2. I guess we all have to get used to it. My previous camera was a dvx.

Thanks

Sid

Barry Green · November 24th, 2004, 05:26 PM

It's pretty much mandatory to use ND filters outside. That's specifically what they're for: to cut the amount of light entering the camera, while having no other effect on the picture.

With the DVX I usually use both stages of ND filter for outdoor shots.

Use the ND, that's what it's there for.

Chris Mills · November 24th, 2004, 05:26 PM

No problem, Sid!

At first I had set all my switches on the lens to manual or off. This was a bad idea. Based on an earlier post I found on this forum I now do the following to get a good solid focus with the Canon 20x IS lens:

Check the settings on the lens. They should be configured thusly:

Stabilizer = "off"
Position Preset = "Focus"
AF Switch = n/a (if the Position Preset is not on "AF" then this does not matter)
Focus Selector = "M"

To focus: zoom in on your subject and focus. Zoom back to frame your shot. Your subject should still be in nice, crisp focus.

I've been using a focus card that came from Serious Magic with DV Rack, but you could easily make one for yourself with a graphics package like Adobe Illustrator. I wish I had known this when we did our test shoot two weeks back, but the manual seemed to be rather lacking in info on this.

Good luck and have fun!

Sid Tran · November 24th, 2004, 06:33 PM

Thanks Barry I'll do that. Just wanted to make sure that using the ND on the lens will not degrade my resolution in anyway.

Chris, thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question. I'll definately give this a try. So once you zoom in and focus, it will still be in focus even if you zoom out? I guess I just have to practice practice practice.

Sid

Chris Mills · November 24th, 2004, 06:54 PM

If the Position Preset switch is set to "Focus" that is what will happen. Give it a go and see what you think.

Jim Exton · November 24th, 2004, 07:54 PM

Zooming in, focusing, then zooming out to the frame size you want; is standard practice with zoom lenses.

I started out in Super 8mm, then 16mm using zooms. It is foolproof. Zoom in, focus, then zoom out to where you want to be. The image you zoomed in on will be in focus no matter where you zoom out to.

The only thing you have to watch is your depth of field; how much in front of your subject and how much behind your subject is in focus. This will change with f stop and distance.

Not sure how critical this is in video or how much a big factor it is. But in low light situations with film lenses, it can be a very big factor.

Perhaps someone who is more experienced with video can help out on this.

Chris Mills · November 24th, 2004, 07:58 PM

I thought that this was the way to go with the XL-2's lens, but that pesky "Position Preset" switch will catch you out if you are not careful. Funny how there is no mention of that in the docs for manual focusing.

Jim Exton · November 24th, 2004, 08:03 PM

Chris, good luck with your film. Man, I wish I had the money to travel to New Zealand to work on a horror film.

I hope you will post some screenshots as you get them, I am looking forward to tracking your film's progress.

Chris Mills · November 24th, 2004, 08:41 PM

Uh - click the link! It'll take you to our film diary on Live Journal. There are a couple of stills and production shots from our screen test a weekend or two back. FWIW - I moved here a couple years back in the hopes of getting into the film industry. Can't say I've regretted it for a moment! :)

Kent Dammand · November 27th, 2004, 01:46 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Chris Mills : No problem, Sid!

Check the settings on the lens. They should be configured thusly:

Stabilizer = "off"
Position Preset = "Focus"
AF Switch = n/a (if the Position Preset is not on "AF" then this does not matter)
Focus Selector = "M"

To focus: zoom in on your subject and focus. Zoom back to frame your shot. Your subject should still be in nice, crisp focus.
-->>>

Manual says:
1. Slide focus selector to M
2.Zoom In
3.Rotate ring to adjust
4 Zoom to Frame

How is this different, which is better or correct and best results?

Chris Mills · November 27th, 2004, 02:45 PM

Kent,
The use/setting of the Position Preset switch is not mentioned anywhere with regards to manual focusing of the lens. It does not say to set it to "Focus" and that is what is different. If you do not have it set to "Focus" then focus will be lost when you zoom.

Marty Hudzik · November 29th, 2004, 12:13 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Chris Mills : Kent,
The use/setting of the Position Preset switch is not mentioned anywhere with regards to manual focusing of the lens. It does not say to set it to "Focus" and that is what is different. If you do not have it set to "Focus" then focus will be lost when you zoom. -->>>

Are you sure this makes any difference? I am not seeing a difference with how it reacts when I change the "preset" to focus or zoom or whatever. Can you please elaborate?

thanks
Marty

Chris Mills · November 29th, 2004, 12:20 PM

When you set the Position Preset to "off" the zoom-to-focus-then-frame approach wont work because you loose your focus when you frame. I had erroneously thought that I should turn off all the auto whatzits as I don't want them messing with my image - Position Preset does matter.

Kent Dammand · November 29th, 2004, 12:46 PM

Well, I simply dont get the features at all. Im not seeing much of a difference no matter how its set except AF or manual.

definatly weird.

November 24th, 2004, 02:36 AM	#1
Chris Mills Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 77	OK - now I love the XL-2 lens So now that I know how to focus the stock lens I have to say I simply love it. Now what I need is to find someone in Wellington who has a Century Optics Wide Adapter that I can try out... __________________ Regards, Chris http://www.lizardlounge.com

November 24th, 2004, 05:26 PM	#4
Chris Mills Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 77	No problem, Sid! At first I had set all my switches on the lens to manual or off. This was a bad idea. Based on an earlier post I found on this forum I now do the following to get a good solid focus with the Canon 20x IS lens: Check the settings on the lens. They should be configured thusly: Stabilizer = "off" Position Preset = "Focus" AF Switch = n/a (if the Position Preset is not on "AF" then this does not matter) Focus Selector = "M" To focus: zoom in on your subject and focus. Zoom back to frame your shot. Your subject should still be in nice, crisp focus. I've been using a focus card that came from Serious Magic with DV Rack, but you could easily make one for yourself with a graphics package like Adobe Illustrator. I wish I had known this when we did our test shoot two weeks back, but the manual seemed to be rather lacking in info on this. Good luck and have fun! __________________ Regards, Chris http://www.lizardlounge.com

November 24th, 2004, 06:54 PM	#6
Chris Mills Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 77	If the Position Preset switch is set to "Focus" that is what will happen. Give it a go and see what you think. __________________ Regards, Chris http://www.lizardlounge.com

November 24th, 2004, 07:58 PM	#8
Chris Mills Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 77	I thought that this was the way to go with the XL-2's lens, but that pesky "Position Preset" switch will catch you out if you are not careful. Funny how there is no mention of that in the docs for manual focusing. __________________ Regards, Chris http://www.lizardlounge.com

November 24th, 2004, 08:41 PM	#10
Chris Mills Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 77	Uh - click the link! It'll take you to our film diary on Live Journal. There are a couple of stills and production shots from our screen test a weekend or two back. FWIW - I moved here a couple years back in the hopes of getting into the film industry. Can't say I've regretted it for a moment! :) __________________ Regards, Chris http://www.lizardlounge.com

November 24th, 2004, 04:06 PM	#2
Sid Tran Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA / USA Posts: 33	Man I'm still trying to get used to operating with the xl2! I did some test shot outside today and it was bright as hell. I had the shutter at 1/48 and all I saw were zebra patterns. Is it normal to use the ND filter for outside shot? I'm getting used to holding the camera on shoulder I guess. Hey Chris, do you mind sharing your thoughts on how to focus? I'm trying to learn as much as I can with the xl2. I guess we all have to get used to it. My previous camera was a dvx. Thanks Sid

November 24th, 2004, 05:26 PM	#3
Barry Green Barry Wan Kenobi Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,863	It's pretty much mandatory to use ND filters outside. That's specifically what they're for: to cut the amount of light entering the camera, while having no other effect on the picture. With the DVX I usually use both stages of ND filter for outdoor shots. Use the ND, that's what it's there for.

November 24th, 2004, 06:33 PM	#5
Sid Tran Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA / USA Posts: 33	Thanks Barry I'll do that. Just wanted to make sure that using the ND on the lens will not degrade my resolution in anyway. Chris, thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question. I'll definately give this a try. So once you zoom in and focus, it will still be in focus even if you zoom out? I guess I just have to practice practice practice. Sid

November 24th, 2004, 07:54 PM	#7
Jim Exton Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Memphis Posts: 103	Zooming in, focusing, then zooming out to the frame size you want; is standard practice with zoom lenses. I started out in Super 8mm, then 16mm using zooms. It is foolproof. Zoom in, focus, then zoom out to where you want to be. The image you zoomed in on will be in focus no matter where you zoom out to. The only thing you have to watch is your depth of field; how much in front of your subject and how much behind your subject is in focus. This will change with f stop and distance. Not sure how critical this is in video or how much a big factor it is. But in low light situations with film lenses, it can be a very big factor. Perhaps someone who is more experienced with video can help out on this.

November 24th, 2004, 08:03 PM	#9
Jim Exton Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Memphis Posts: 103	Chris, good luck with your film. Man, I wish I had the money to travel to New Zealand to work on a horror film. I hope you will post some screenshots as you get them, I am looking forward to tracking your film's progress.

November 27th, 2004, 01:46 PM	#11
Kent Dammand Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 80	<<<-- Originally posted by Chris Mills : No problem, Sid! Check the settings on the lens. They should be configured thusly: Stabilizer = "off" Position Preset = "Focus" AF Switch = n/a (if the Position Preset is not on "AF" then this does not matter) Focus Selector = "M" To focus: zoom in on your subject and focus. Zoom back to frame your shot. Your subject should still be in nice, crisp focus. -->>> Manual says: 1. Slide focus selector to M 2.Zoom In 3.Rotate ring to adjust 4 Zoom to Frame How is this different, which is better or correct and best results?

November 27th, 2004, 02:45 PM	#12
Chris Mills Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 77	Kent, The use/setting of the Position Preset switch is not mentioned anywhere with regards to manual focusing of the lens. It does not say to set it to "Focus" and that is what is different. If you do not have it set to "Focus" then focus will be lost when you zoom. __________________ Regards, Chris http://www.lizardlounge.com

November 29th, 2004, 12:13 PM	#13
Marty Hudzik Trustee Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Canton, Ohio Posts: 1,771	<<<-- Originally posted by Chris Mills : Kent, The use/setting of the Position Preset switch is not mentioned anywhere with regards to manual focusing of the lens. It does not say to set it to "Focus" and that is what is different. If you do not have it set to "Focus" then focus will be lost when you zoom. -->>> Are you sure this makes any difference? I am not seeing a difference with how it reacts when I change the "preset" to focus or zoom or whatever. Can you please elaborate? thanks Marty

November 29th, 2004, 12:20 PM	#14
Chris Mills Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 77	When you set the Position Preset to "off" the zoom-to-focus-then-frame approach wont work because you loose your focus when you frame. I had erroneously thought that I should turn off all the auto whatzits as I don't want them messing with my image - Position Preset does matter. __________________ Regards, Chris http://www.lizardlounge.com

November 29th, 2004, 12:46 PM	#15
Kent Dammand Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 80	Well, I simply dont get the features at all. Im not seeing much of a difference no matter how its set except AF or manual. definatly weird.