XL1s with Nikon Photo Lenses at DVinfo.net

Sunny Dhinsey · July 8th, 2004, 06:38 AM

I was just wondering whether anyone here has ever used Nikon SLR photo lenses on a Canon XL1s.

I am thinking of making use of the interchangeable lense facility on my XL1s and just had a few questions:

1) Will I get a different look to my conventional Canon Auto lense?(I'm aware of the 7.2x magnification)

2) Will there be a loss in picture quality as a result of using the Nikon lenses?

I would be greatful if somebody could provide me with an insight into what kind of results I can expect.

Thank You

Rob Lohman · July 8th, 2004, 06:40 AM

I can't comment on whether this will work, but the answers to
your questions should be no for both.

Jeff Donald · July 8th, 2004, 08:37 AM

There are adapters to put Nikkor lenses on the XL1. It has been noted in several articles about the quality of the Canon XL mount manual lenses or the stock XL AF lenses. I would expect the Nikkor lenses to provide a superior image quality over the Canon stock lens as well.

Sunny Dhinsey · July 8th, 2004, 08:58 AM

Thanks for the information,

I have been contemplating using my Nikkor lenses to achieve different looks,

I'll give it a try!

Neill Phillips · July 10th, 2004, 01:00 PM

Hi,

I have been using my Nikon lenses with my XL1S along with the Optex adaptor and the results are great.

You have to take into account the 7.2x magnification ratio of the larger Nikon lenses but yuo basically get great telephoto performance.

My lenses are: 17-35mm f2.8, 80-200mm f2.8 and 50mm f1.8.

I usually dial in some sharpness with the stock Canon lens but when I put the 50mm on I had to turn it back down as the sharpness was stunning! This is a great lens as it is not only one of Nikon's sharpest, but it is also one of Nikon's cheapest!! (best results are around the f4-5.6 mark).

Hope this helps.

Neill

Ken Tanaka · July 10th, 2004, 03:48 PM

See our Lady X Films episodes 21 and 22 for an example of Nikon lenses used with an XL1S. Jami and Mike won the series for best photography with that work.

Scott Balkum · July 10th, 2004, 10:54 PM

Anyone recommend a good dealer that have these? I did a Google search for the specific model and didn't turn much up in America.

Jeff Donald · July 11th, 2004, 06:13 AM

Scott, can you be more specific please, what are these?

Scott Balkum · July 11th, 2004, 09:53 AM

Sorry, the Nikon lens converter. I on;y saw Optex that makes a Nikon to Canon XL1s converter.

Jeff Donald · July 11th, 2004, 10:56 AM

Century Precision Optics used to make an adapter also. It wasn't on their site, but it was shown on their price list.

Ryan Mattos · July 14th, 2004, 04:57 PM

ken that video is fantastic. how did you achieve such a great film look with the xl1? was it primarily the nikon lenses or did you put in lots of work in post?

Ken Tanaka · July 14th, 2004, 05:23 PM

Ryan,
I didn't produce those episodes. They were produced by Jami Jokinen and Mike Pohjola. You can contact them via the "Feedback" links on the episodes' pages.

They've been asked this question frequently. While I don't want to answer for them I can say that, fundamentally, what you're seeing is just some very good photography and a mastery of the XL1. The Nikon lenses certainly contributed to the results. But for the most part it's just good shot selection, completely manual control, close control of contrast and saturation, and some skillful post-processing.

A. J. deLange · July 20th, 2004, 11:42 AM

I ordered the Optex adapter last week and spent the weekend rummaging through closets looking for old Nikon lenses. I came up with a 35mm wide angle, 105mm Micro, 135 portrait and 300 mm telephoto. The gadget came yesterday and it seems to work just dandy. I'm pleased as punch because my alltime favorite lens ever is that 105 Micro Nikor which is now out of retirement!

Needless to say, the 300mm is interesting to work with. At an effective (re 35 mm) focal length of over 2100 mm aquiring the target is a bit tricky. I decided that what I need is a rifle scope mounted to the shoe on top of the camers. Anyone know of such a device? Think I could make one up from a shotgun mike mount?

Cheers, A.J.

July 8th, 2004, 06:38 AM	#1
Sunny Dhinsey Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: London, England Posts: 127	XL1s with Nikon Photo Lenses I was just wondering whether anyone here has ever used Nikon SLR photo lenses on a Canon XL1s. I am thinking of making use of the interchangeable lense facility on my XL1s and just had a few questions: 1) Will I get a different look to my conventional Canon Auto lense?(I'm aware of the 7.2x magnification) 2) Will there be a loss in picture quality as a result of using the Nikon lenses? I would be greatful if somebody could provide me with an insight into what kind of results I can expect. Thank You __________________ Sunny Dhinsey Director - www.filmlore.tv

July 8th, 2004, 06:40 AM	#2
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	I can't comment on whether this will work, but the answers to your questions should be no for both. __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

July 8th, 2004, 08:37 AM	#3
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	There are adapters to put Nikkor lenses on the XL1. It has been noted in several articles about the quality of the Canon XL mount manual lenses or the stock XL AF lenses. I would expect the Nikkor lenses to provide a superior image quality over the Canon stock lens as well. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

July 8th, 2004, 08:58 AM	#4
Sunny Dhinsey Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: London, England Posts: 127	Thanks for the information, I have been contemplating using my Nikkor lenses to achieve different looks, I'll give it a try! __________________ Sunny Dhinsey Director - www.filmlore.tv

July 10th, 2004, 03:48 PM	#6
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	See our Lady X Films episodes 21 and 22 for an example of Nikon lenses used with an XL1S. Jami and Mike won the series for best photography with that work. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

July 10th, 2004, 01:00 PM	#5
Neill Phillips New Boot Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 11	Hi, I have been using my Nikon lenses with my XL1S along with the Optex adaptor and the results are great. You have to take into account the 7.2x magnification ratio of the larger Nikon lenses but yuo basically get great telephoto performance. My lenses are: 17-35mm f2.8, 80-200mm f2.8 and 50mm f1.8. I usually dial in some sharpness with the stock Canon lens but when I put the 50mm on I had to turn it back down as the sharpness was stunning! This is a great lens as it is not only one of Nikon's sharpest, but it is also one of Nikon's cheapest!! (best results are around the f4-5.6 mark). Hope this helps. Neill

July 10th, 2004, 10:54 PM	#7
Scott Balkum Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 67	Anyone recommend a good dealer that have these? I did a Google search for the specific model and didn't turn much up in America.

July 11th, 2004, 06:13 AM	#8
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Scott, can you be more specific please, what are these? __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

July 11th, 2004, 09:53 AM	#9
Scott Balkum Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 67	Sorry, the Nikon lens converter. I on;y saw Optex that makes a Nikon to Canon XL1s converter.

July 11th, 2004, 10:56 AM	#10
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Century Precision Optics used to make an adapter also. It wasn't on their site, but it was shown on their price list. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

July 14th, 2004, 04:57 PM	#11
Ryan Mattos Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 38	ken that video is fantastic. how did you achieve such a great film look with the xl1? was it primarily the nikon lenses or did you put in lots of work in post?

July 14th, 2004, 05:23 PM	#12
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Ryan, I didn't produce those episodes. They were produced by Jami Jokinen and Mike Pohjola. You can contact them via the "Feedback" links on the episodes' pages. They've been asked this question frequently. While I don't want to answer for them I can say that, fundamentally, what you're seeing is just some very good photography and a mastery of the XL1. The Nikon lenses certainly contributed to the results. But for the most part it's just good shot selection, completely manual control, close control of contrast and saturation, and some skillful post-processing. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

July 20th, 2004, 11:42 AM	#13
A. J. deLange Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: McLean, VA United States Posts: 749	I ordered the Optex adapter last week and spent the weekend rummaging through closets looking for old Nikon lenses. I came up with a 35mm wide angle, 105mm Micro, 135 portrait and 300 mm telephoto. The gadget came yesterday and it seems to work just dandy. I'm pleased as punch because my alltime favorite lens ever is that 105 Micro Nikor which is now out of retirement! Needless to say, the 300mm is interesting to work with. At an effective (re 35 mm) focal length of over 2100 mm aquiring the target is a bit tricky. I decided that what I need is a rifle scope mounted to the shoe on top of the camers. Anyone know of such a device? Think I could make one up from a shotgun mike mount? Cheers, A.J.