XL2 and EF Lens Adapter / EF Lenses / EOS Lens

Steve Siegel · June 7th, 2006, 06:03 PM

I use the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM, with the XL-2 and it is definitely not parfocal. Perhaps it's because you need to zoom and focus manually, and the parfocaling (is that a new word?) mechanism is not activated.

Stuart Claggett · June 8th, 2006, 09:10 PM

I will try it with my 70-200m 2.8 L and see what I experience this weekend and get back to you.

Regards, Stuart

Stuart Claggett · June 12th, 2006, 07:52 PM

David, no luck on that...The L-lens looked very nice for the jets at national airport though :-0

Tyson Persall · July 22nd, 2006, 01:41 PM

I did a search first but couldnt fidnd the results im looking for.

Heres the deal> I have an XL2 and am getting a Canon Digital Rebel XT or a Canon 20D. They both use EOS lenses. And since I need a wide angle lens for the XL2, I was hoping to be able to get one that I could use for both still camera and XL2 video cam.

The Canon EF 20 MM F/2.8 USM ULTRA-WIDE Angle Lens is about $450-500.

What could I expect using it as a wide angle lens for the XL2? Or any other EOS wide angle lens?

Brendon Whateley · July 22nd, 2006, 02:37 PM

If you use the EF adaptor (which brings the total up to about the 3x lens), the lens will be be multiplied on the XL2.

Have a look at http://www.dvinfo.net/canonxl2/articles/article10.php for some idea.

Consider the 3x lens instead.

The other option would seem to be to go for something like the Redrock M2.

Dale Guthormsen · July 22nd, 2006, 11:35 PM

this has been stated before but here goes: in 16:9 it is multiplied by 7.6
In 4:3 it is multiplied by 10. That basicly turns the lens into a portrait lens not wide angle.

Chris Fritsche · September 7th, 2006, 03:03 PM

I will be using it this weekend with the 100-400mm lens, my question is:

should I mount the camera body or the lens to my tripod?
I think the lens is going to weigh more than the camera body.

how is everyone else doing this?

Steve Siegel · September 7th, 2006, 03:26 PM

Mount both, either using a purchased device like Ron Armstrong's Ronsrail, or go into the workshop (as I did) and build something. 1/4 inch plywood works well. That lens is heavy enough to rip the mount ring right off the camera, or at least bend it so it won't align.

Meryem Ersoz · September 7th, 2006, 03:26 PM

people do it both ways...the main thing is to get it as balanced as you possibly can, hopefully you have a long tripod plate to help you find the center of the rig. you will need maximum stability with that long lens. some people thing the EF connector is too weak to hold the camera with a tripod-mount, and some think it's just fine. ya gotta experiment a bit with what you have...

Tony Davies-Patrick · September 8th, 2006, 06:53 AM

For any lens longer and heavier than the standerd 20X lens, I always mount it by the lens tripod-collar rather than direct to the Xl2 body screw mount. The lens is screwed down tight to a heavy-duty Manfrotto MKII sliding mount with interlocking teeth (seen here in photo: http://www.wilderness-photo.co.uk/di...tup&cat=&pos=2 ).

The mount is postioned so as to provide a central balance to the rigs, for lenses such as the 300mm f/2.8 ED or longer 600mm f/5.6 ED lenses, shown here taking footage of sunset and moon:
http://www.wilderness-photo.co.uk/di...tup&cat=&pos=0

As Steve has mentioned, the Ron Armstrong Ronsrail is the perfect choice for big lenses. Visit his website for further information:
http://www.ronsrail.com/

Chris Fritsche · September 18th, 2006, 10:25 AM

so I shot some more footage this weekend, (I already posted the link in the wildlife section), but the problem I ran into was I can't seem to get a good focus with my telephoto lens attached and that small view screen on the camera. Am I missing something or once I attach the EF lens and I left to manual everything?

Tony Davies-Patrick · September 18th, 2006, 10:45 AM

Chris, all lenses other than the XL optics need to be manual focussed. I don’t have much problem getting sharp footage using long fast-aperture lenses on the XL2. The main problem is keeping everything steady and firmly seated on a sturdy tripod head and strong tripod legs. Even the slightest breeze will cause problems, so make sure everything is locked-down. Also try to remember that the extreme telephoto caused by the approx 8X factor provides a very narrow depth of field in the focus zone.

I've tried to look at your film clip, but the website links don't seem to work.

Judging by the photo of your setup, I would say a few things may be a problem: wind; difficult focus due to dark viewfinder caused by slow lens + converter; touching the set up once focus is acheived; slight extra wobble between lens and converter bayonet mount.

Chris Fritsche · September 18th, 2006, 10:51 AM

What are you using for a tripod and head?
What lens are you using? Are you using a external monitor or just the camera viewfinder?

Tony Davies-Patrick · September 18th, 2006, 11:04 AM

I use mainly heavy Manfrotto tripod equipment:

http://www.wilderness-photo.co.uk/di...up&cat=1&pos=5

http://www.wilderness-photo.co.uk/di...up&cat=1&pos=3

I prefer to use the camera viewfinder monitor. With a fast f/2.8 lens the subject tends to snap in and out of focus OK.
If the subject is in very dull light, I might sometimes bump up the gain to make focus easier, and then click it back to minus -3 gain; but most of the time I just leave it on minus 3.

Chris Fritsche · September 18th, 2006, 12:47 PM

So what other lens can I use with my XL2 that are not canon?
I have a 70-200 2.8L IS, but I would like to maybe get a 400+ that is 1.8-2.8..???

June 8th, 2006, 09:10 PM	#242
Stuart Claggett New Boot Join Date: May 2006 Location: Springfield VA Posts: 11	I will try it with my 70-200m 2.8 L and see what I experience this weekend and get back to you. Regards, Stuart __________________ Stuart Claggett Canon XL2, 20x & 3x lens, Evolution G2 Wireless Mics, Rode NTG-2, manfrotto 525/516, EF adapter Adobe Video Production Suite Adobe Creative Suite Canon 30D, 10D, EOS 3 Various EF Lenses (Canon, CanonL, Tamron, Sigma)

June 12th, 2006, 07:52 PM	#243
Stuart Claggett New Boot Join Date: May 2006 Location: Springfield VA Posts: 11	David, no luck on that...The L-lens looked very nice for the jets at national airport though :-0 __________________ Stuart Claggett Canon XL2, 20x & 3x lens, Evolution G2 Wireless Mics, Rode NTG-2, manfrotto 525/516, EF adapter Adobe Video Production Suite Adobe Creative Suite Canon 30D, 10D, EOS 3 Various EF Lenses (Canon, CanonL, Tamron, Sigma)

July 22nd, 2006, 01:41 PM	#244
Tyson Persall Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: North Hollywood, Atlanta Posts: 437	Canon EF 20 MM F/2.8 USM ULTRA-WIDE Angle Lens with XL2 I did a search first but couldnt fidnd the results im looking for. Heres the deal> I have an XL2 and am getting a Canon Digital Rebel XT or a Canon 20D. They both use EOS lenses. And since I need a wide angle lens for the XL2, I was hoping to be able to get one that I could use for both still camera and XL2 video cam. The Canon EF 20 MM F/2.8 USM ULTRA-WIDE Angle Lens is about $450-500. What could I expect using it as a wide angle lens for the XL2? Or any other EOS wide angle lens? __________________ Tyson X

July 22nd, 2006, 11:35 PM	#246
Dale Guthormsen Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 3,048	this has been stated before but here goes: in 16:9 it is multiplied by 7.6 In 4:3 it is multiplied by 10. That basicly turns the lens into a portrait lens not wide angle. __________________ DATS ALL FOLKS Dale W. Guthormsen

September 7th, 2006, 03:03 PM	#247
Chris Fritsche Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Houston, TX (Cypress to be exact) Posts: 169	just recieved my EF Adapter, question though I will be using it this weekend with the 100-400mm lens, my question is: should I mount the camera body or the lens to my tripod? I think the lens is going to weigh more than the camera body. how is everyone else doing this?

June 7th, 2006, 06:03 PM	#241
Steve Siegel Major Player Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA Posts: 840	I use the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM, with the XL-2 and it is definitely not parfocal. Perhaps it's because you need to zoom and focus manually, and the parfocaling (is that a new word?) mechanism is not activated.

July 22nd, 2006, 02:37 PM	#245
Brendon Whateley Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 59	If you use the EF adaptor (which brings the total up to about the 3x lens), the lens will be be multiplied on the XL2. Have a look at http://www.dvinfo.net/canonxl2/articles/article10.php for some idea. Consider the 3x lens instead. The other option would seem to be to go for something like the Redrock M2.

September 7th, 2006, 03:26 PM	#248
Steve Siegel Major Player Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA Posts: 840	Mount both, either using a purchased device like Ron Armstrong's Ronsrail, or go into the workshop (as I did) and build something. 1/4 inch plywood works well. That lens is heavy enough to rip the mount ring right off the camera, or at least bend it so it won't align.

September 7th, 2006, 03:26 PM	#249
Meryem Ersoz Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 3,015	people do it both ways...the main thing is to get it as balanced as you possibly can, hopefully you have a long tripod plate to help you find the center of the rig. you will need maximum stability with that long lens. some people thing the EF connector is too weak to hold the camera with a tripod-mount, and some think it's just fine. ya gotta experiment a bit with what you have...

September 8th, 2006, 06:53 AM	#250
Tony Davies-Patrick Trustee Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Worldwide Posts: 1,589	For any lens longer and heavier than the standerd 20X lens, I always mount it by the lens tripod-collar rather than direct to the Xl2 body screw mount. The lens is screwed down tight to a heavy-duty Manfrotto MKII sliding mount with interlocking teeth (seen here in photo: http://www.wilderness-photo.co.uk/di...tup&cat=&pos=2 ). The mount is postioned so as to provide a central balance to the rigs, for lenses such as the 300mm f/2.8 ED or longer 600mm f/5.6 ED lenses, shown here taking footage of sunset and moon: http://www.wilderness-photo.co.uk/di...tup&cat=&pos=0 As Steve has mentioned, the Ron Armstrong Ronsrail is the perfect choice for big lenses. Visit his website for further information: http://www.ronsrail.com/ __________________ www.WILDCARP.com www.NIKON.me.uk

September 18th, 2006, 10:25 AM	#251
Chris Fritsche Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Houston, TX (Cypress to be exact) Posts: 169	is there anyway to get auto focus with an EF lens so I shot some more footage this weekend, (I already posted the link in the wildlife section), but the problem I ran into was I can't seem to get a good focus with my telephoto lens attached and that small view screen on the camera. Am I missing something or once I attach the EF lens and I left to manual everything?

September 18th, 2006, 10:45 AM	#252
Tony Davies-Patrick Trustee Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Worldwide Posts: 1,589	Chris, all lenses other than the XL optics need to be manual focussed. I don’t have much problem getting sharp footage using long fast-aperture lenses on the XL2. The main problem is keeping everything steady and firmly seated on a sturdy tripod head and strong tripod legs. Even the slightest breeze will cause problems, so make sure everything is locked-down. Also try to remember that the extreme telephoto caused by the approx 8X factor provides a very narrow depth of field in the focus zone. I've tried to look at your film clip, but the website links don't seem to work. Judging by the photo of your setup, I would say a few things may be a problem: wind; difficult focus due to dark viewfinder caused by slow lens + converter; touching the set up once focus is acheived; slight extra wobble between lens and converter bayonet mount. __________________ www.WILDCARP.com www.NIKON.me.uk

September 18th, 2006, 10:51 AM	#253
Chris Fritsche Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Houston, TX (Cypress to be exact) Posts: 169	What are you using for a tripod and head? What lens are you using? Are you using a external monitor or just the camera viewfinder?

September 18th, 2006, 11:04 AM	#254
Tony Davies-Patrick Trustee Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Worldwide Posts: 1,589	I use mainly heavy Manfrotto tripod equipment: http://www.wilderness-photo.co.uk/di...up&cat=1&pos=5 http://www.wilderness-photo.co.uk/di...up&cat=1&pos=3 I prefer to use the camera viewfinder monitor. With a fast f/2.8 lens the subject tends to snap in and out of focus OK. If the subject is in very dull light, I might sometimes bump up the gain to make focus easier, and then click it back to minus -3 gain; but most of the time I just leave it on minus 3. __________________ www.WILDCARP.com www.NIKON.me.uk

September 18th, 2006, 12:47 PM	#255
Chris Fritsche Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Houston, TX (Cypress to be exact) Posts: 169	So what other lens can I use with my XL2 that are not canon? I have a 70-200 2.8L IS, but I would like to maybe get a 400+ that is 1.8-2.8..???