XL1 / XL1S focus hunting backfocus problems

[Dean Sensui]

I kept running into a similar problem with my stock 16x lens.

So this is what I did:

1 -- remove the 16x lens. Install the rear element cap. Place the stock lens on a shelf.

2 -- install a 16x manual lens.

Works now! :-)

Dean Sensui
Base Two Productions.

[Nawaf Alali]

Yep! Same problem here. I ended up buying the 16x manual (works like a charm!). I only use the AF one if I needed the IS.

[Mark McKinney]

I am buying the 16X manuel lens today!!!

[Larry Hill]

Because I have not encountered this problem since that incident, I am not prepared to spend well over $1000 for the auxiliary lens, unless there are other benefits. Specifically, I have always been a bit disappointed with the softness of the images I experience with the XL1 and have wondered if the manual lens would give a sharper image on the XL1 than the original 16X auto lens. I understand that the XL1s with the Mark II auto lens produces a sharper image. Since there appears to be no change in the CCD on the XL1s, I have wondered if a better lens would give a sharper image on the XL1. I have not seen a direct comparison of these two lenses, although Ken Tanaka's article implies that the manual is a sharper lens. Can anyone comment on whether the manual lens has sharpened their image on an XL1?

[Ken Tanaka]

Larry,
I didn't recall remarking that the 16x (or 14x) manual lenses were sharper than the 16x auto lens. But then I read the following sentence in my "Summary": "The 16x Manual Servo lens is perhaps the sharpest tool available for XL1/XL1S shooters who need more precision in their imaging.". The word "sharpest" was strictly a metaphor.

I cannot honestly tell you that the manual lens is sharper than the standard lens. Having both, I would have to say that it's a draw on that meter. They're both actually not bad on that front, particularly considering the size and resolution of their target.

Before you sell your 16x auto lens to fund the purchase of the 16x manual lens, however, I advise you to consider the type of shooting you actually do with the camera and your likely commitment to acquiring full-time manual focusing skills. It is not a trivial skill to acquire and failing to do so may ultimately produce worse results on average than the 16x auto lens. For many XL1 owners who only shoot occasionally and/or casually, the auto lens is actually the better tool.

[Larry Hill]

Ken, Thanks for your quick response. I think you have hit the nail on the head and I will save my money to apply to the XL2 (!). Although I use my XL1 exclusively on a tripod for rather static set ups (church events and stand-up narrative), I probably would regret the loss of auto-aided and especially remote LANC controlled focus. Certainly I've gotten no complaints about what I perceive as soft images and I can easily live with what I've got until something convinces me to move on.

[Stephen Kettyles]

Hi folks,

I am based in Northern ireland and have recently set up my own part time business specialising in wedding video/dvd etc.

I am fairly new to all this but have produced a number of dvd,s now with very very good feedback.

i have just finished filming another wedding and have been reviewing the footage on tv.

i am vey dissapointed. Because of the location etc i have to be able to lift the camera and shoot at any time. this means tht i do a lot of the shooting in Auto mode. my problem is that if i was filming a simple shot of the bride and groom during the first dance an obviously they are moving around the dance floor, the lens is jumping in and out of focus all the time. it seems to want to focus on all different parts of their bodies as they are moving. this has happened on every project so far.

The same thing happens when I am filming a full dance floor. he camera is jumping all over the place trying to focus in on whoever is going past.

If I am filming the guests shaking hands with the bride and groom, as each person goes past the camera will focus on them and then back to the bride and groom.

In this instance i can switch the camera to the manual focus setting and focus on the bride and groom and leave the camera until it is finished but this is not possible for most other scenarios.

i realise that i am new to all this and am also new to the operation of the camera but even my JVC camcorder dosen't behave as eratic as this.

this is proving a serious problem and i need to sort itout or my business is going to go down the pan.

Does anybody have any idea if i am doing something wrong ( i suspect I probably am) or if there could be problem with the lens?

[Hugo Leveille]

The problem is not really you. The xl1 is one of the worst camera I have seen to autofocus. 95% of the ppl here will tell you to star on manula focus.

I'm sorry to tell you that, but if you were looking for an auto focus camera, I've choosen one of the worst. The best work around is to stay in manual mode as long as you can. Then, when things are moving and need to re focus, use the Auto focus button on the lense and release it when things are not moving.

[Don Berube]

Manual Focus is the best way to go, just make sure you set a critical focus by focusing on the object furhest away from you -or- at least focusing on your subject if you plan on zooming in close on your subject.

Don't forget that as you set your critical focus in Manual Focus Mode and then hit the Momentary Auto Focus button on the lens, you will completely lose your critical focus. If you do use the Momentary Auto Focus button, make sure that you take the time to reset your critical focus between shots. Critical focus should be checked and set for each new shot.

- don

[G. Randy Brown]

Hi,
Okay this doesn't sound like a back-focus issue that I've seen discussed here before (zoom in, focus, pull out, zoom back in and it's out of focus). I'm getting this: zoom in, focus, zoom out and it's out of focus but zoom back in and it's fine. Does this sound like it needs to go to the shop?
Thanks,
Randy

[Don Palomaki]

At first blush, sounds like back focus to me.

[G. Randy Brown]

I was afraid of that...FWIW, it's not as noticeable without the 1.6 extender. Another thing worth mentioning: I was amazed how much dirt came off of the contact ends of the lenses using a pencil eraser as I learned here...it didn't help but definitely needed cleaning.
Randy

[Ken Tanaka]

Randy,
You did not note which lens you're using, so I assume it is the standard 16x Auto lens. What you describe is a classic back-focus calibration matter. It's not a big issue and Canon can fix it.

[G. Randy Brown]

Yes sir, the standard 16 X auto lens. Anyone know what Canon charges to calibrate it?
TIA,
Randy

[Don Palomaki]

XL1 owners club member? About due for an annual cleaning and tune-up? If so, the cost for that is moderate (on the order of $100 plus shipping if no significant repairs are required), and typically takes a few days plus shipping time.