Needed for XL2 at DVinfo.net

Scott Dreval · July 25th, 2006, 03:33 PM

Hello all,

I am the new owner of an XL2 that came with the 20X lens. My plans are to make "funny" home movies as well as training videos for work. How important is it to have the 3X lens?

Thanks in advance.

Brendon Whateley · July 25th, 2006, 06:31 PM

Hi Scott,
I've had the XL2 for a few weeks only. I ordered the 3x lens two days after receiving the camera. I found that, particularly for indoor shooting, the 20x had me continually trying to move through walls to get the subjects in frame.
That said, try shooting some of your typical home movie shots and see if you keep running out of lens on the wide end of the 20x lens. If you are, then you need the 3x or at least a wide angle converter.

Chris Hurd · July 25th, 2006, 06:37 PM

A wide angle lens is a comedy lens. Watch anything that Barry Sonnenfeld shot and you'll see what I mean, especially the Coen Brothers' "Raising Arizona," a wide-angle tour de force. If you want to be funny you gotta go wide.

Patrick King · July 25th, 2006, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Hurd

A wide angle lens is a comedy lens. Watch anything that Barry Sonnenfeld shot and you'll see what I mean, especially the Coen Brothers' "Raising Arizona," a wide-angle tour de force. If you want to be funny you gotta go wide.

This from a man that has Soylent Green in his tag line. Didn't know you were such a connoisseur of comedy Chris!

Mike Teutsch · July 25th, 2006, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Dreval

Hello all,

I am the new owner of an XL2 that came with the 20X lens. My plans are to make "funny" home movies as well as training videos for work. How important is it to have the 3X lens?

Thanks in advance.

If you can afford one get it, it is indispensable!

Per Johan Naesje · July 26th, 2006, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Hurd

A wide angle lens is a comedy lens...
...If you want to be funny you gotta go wide.

LOL, serious speaking lets go long, hmmm at the telephotoend ;-)

Scott, for indoor shooting the 3x wide lense is almost everytime the preferable lense for me. As Brendon says: "...move through walls to get the subjects in frame".

<OT>: Its a joke here in Norway saying that everything in the United States is much more larger and bigger, so you might consider an ef-adapter and a huge telephotolense to be able to frame any subject in your houses ;-)
</OT>

Scott Dreval · July 26th, 2006, 08:36 PM

Thank you all for your help--I'll be getting the 3X!

Chris Hurd · July 26th, 2006, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Per Johan

Its a joke here in Norway saying that everything in the United States is much more larger and bigger, so you might consider an ef-adapter and a huge telephotolense to be able to frame any subject in your houses

Okay in Texas maybe it is kind of like that, but, you should visit an apartment in Brooklyn sometime. You'd need a fish-eye lens.

Pete Bauer · July 27th, 2006, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Per Johan

<OT>: Its a joke here in Norway saying that everything in the United States is much more larger and bigger, so you might consider an ef-adapter and a huge telephotolense to be able to frame any subject in your houses ;-)
</OT>

When I lived in Europe, some Dutch friends always used this expression about stereotypes of Americans: "Bigger, better, faster, more." Guilty as charged.

I use the 3x only a fraction of the time, but when I need it, I need it. If you're shooting indoors a lot I do agree it will be a worthwhile investment. Searching through DV Info, you'll find a lot of people saying bad things about the lens, but I've been happy with mine and it has allowed me to get many shots I just otherwise wouldn't have been able to frame. And no doubt about the comedic effect of a deliberate wide closeup of some hapless character.

Bob Safay · July 27th, 2006, 06:01 AM

Scott, I just videoed a friends wedding that took place on a small river boat. Never took the 3x off the camcorder. IMHO the 3x is a must have item. Bob

Bill Hamell · July 27th, 2006, 02:19 PM

Bob, I was going to say something similar to Scott.

I was shooting on a boat this week; I used the 20x for the shoreline shots and the 3x for the onboard shots.

I won't give up my 3x!! :-)

Bill

Scott Dreval · July 31st, 2006, 05:40 PM

You've all been very helpful--I ordered it and even though I'm awaiting delivery of my 3x, I still enjoy hearing all the positive reinforcement for my purchase!

July 25th, 2006, 03:33 PM	#1
Scott Dreval New Boot Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Arlington Heights IL Posts: 10	Needed for XL2 Hello all, I am the new owner of an XL2 that came with the 20X lens. My plans are to make "funny" home movies as well as training videos for work. How important is it to have the 3X lens? Thanks in advance.

July 25th, 2006, 06:37 PM	#3
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,369 Images: 513	A wide angle lens is a comedy lens. Watch anything that Barry Sonnenfeld shot and you'll see what I mean, especially the Coen Brothers' "Raising Arizona," a wide-angle tour de force. If you want to be funny you gotta go wide. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

July 27th, 2006, 02:19 PM	#11
Bill Hamell Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mystic Ct. Posts: 477	Bob, I was going to say something similar to Scott. I was shooting on a boat this week; I used the 20x for the shoreline shots and the 3x for the onboard shots. I won't give up my 3x!! :-) Bill __________________ Cinematographers Bring Shadow To Light

July 25th, 2006, 06:31 PM	#2
Brendon Whateley Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 59	Hi Scott, I've had the XL2 for a few weeks only. I ordered the 3x lens two days after receiving the camera. I found that, particularly for indoor shooting, the 20x had me continually trying to move through walls to get the subjects in frame. That said, try shooting some of your typical home movie shots and see if you keep running out of lens on the wide end of the 20x lens. If you are, then you need the 3x or at least a wide angle converter.

July 26th, 2006, 08:36 PM	#7
Scott Dreval New Boot Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Arlington Heights IL Posts: 10	Thank you all for your help--I'll be getting the 3X!

July 27th, 2006, 06:01 AM	#10
Bob Safay Trustee Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,559	Scott, I just videoed a friends wedding that took place on a small river boat. Never took the 3x off the camcorder. IMHO the 3x is a must have item. Bob

July 31st, 2006, 05:40 PM	#12
Scott Dreval New Boot Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Arlington Heights IL Posts: 10	You've all been very helpful--I ordered it and even though I'm awaiting delivery of my 3x, I still enjoy hearing all the positive reinforcement for my purchase!