Low light lens at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > Canon EOS / MXF / AVCHD / HDV / DV Camera Systems > Canon HDV and DV Camera Systems > Canon XL and GL Series DV Camcorders > Canon XL1S / XL1 Watchdog
Register FAQ Today's Posts Buyer's Guides

Canon XL1S / XL1 Watchdog
Can't find it on the XL1 Watchdog site? Discuss it here.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old August 14th, 2002, 02:02 AM   #1
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: UK - Norfolk
Posts: 95
Low light lens

Hi,

This is kinda linked to my filming meteor showers post in general topics but thought it best to post here.

Is there a low light level lens available that will fit onto an XL1? My main interest would be to film metoer showers but some night time wildlife filming would come a very close second.


Regards

Nick
Nick Glenister is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 14th, 2002, 04:54 AM   #2
Trustee
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Chigasaki, Japan.
Posts: 1,660
By "low light lens" I guess you mean a fast lens? If you do the standard XL lens is one of the fastest video lenses around. You could try the manual lens but I has the same max of F1.6.

To get any faster you'd have to go to 35mm SLR lenses and then your limiting your self to something that is gonna cost you more that the camera and isn't a zoom lens. There are 2 options as far as Canon lenses go and they are:

1. EF 50mm/F1.0/1.4/1.8 The F1.8 version isn't much good and really shouldn't be considered. The F1.0 version costs about the same as a new GL2, so I'd be looking at the F1.4 version.

2. EF200/F1.8 A fantastic lens worth more than a new XL1s, would be a fantastic piece of glass to sling off the end of your XL but you would have no zoom or money left in your pocket.

To use any of these lenses you'd also need a Canon EF-XL adapter.

There are lots of lenses available from other manufactures like Nikon, Sigma etc, but by the time you adapt them you'd be better off using the standard XL1 lens with your camera set to the slowest shutter speed 1/6PAL 1/8NTSC.
Adrian Douglas is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 14th, 2002, 06:47 AM   #3
Obstreperous Rex
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: San Marcos, TX
Posts: 27,368
Images: 513
There are at least two "night vision" lens attachments that operate in the UV spectrum for seeing in the dark. One is from Electro Physics, the other from Optex. These devices attach in between the XL1 camera body and lens. Can't recall the price but I believe they're in the range of USD$8000. Primary application is surveillance and law enforcement.
__________________
CH

Search DV Info Net | 20 years of DVi | ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!
Chris Hurd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 14th, 2002, 10:29 AM   #4
Warden
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Clearwater, FL
Posts: 8,287
The difference between F1.6 and F1.4 is not even a half a stop in exposure. Not really worth worrying about. The $8000 is the less expensive of the two. The other runs $12,000 to $15,000 depending on accessories.

Jeff
Jeff Donald is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 14th, 2002, 02:20 PM   #5
Trustee
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 1,334
I saw the optex at NAB three years ago. They said it
cost about $5K, and if you had lights turn on at a bad time,
you blow the electronics.
__________________
Jacques Mersereau
University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager
Jacques Mersereau is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 15th, 2002, 01:55 AM   #6
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: UK - Norfolk
Posts: 95
Ummmm ok, i don't think i'll be getting one of those in a hurry. Thanks for the info though guys.


Nick
Nick Glenister is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 15th, 2002, 06:33 AM   #7
Wrangler
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 4,487
Keep in mind that the CCD prism block sets/limits the aperture to a max of f/1.6. Using a larger aperture lens will not provide any speed benefit.
Don Palomaki is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > Canon EOS / MXF / AVCHD / HDV / DV Camera Systems > Canon HDV and DV Camera Systems > Canon XL and GL Series DV Camcorders > Canon XL1S / XL1 Watchdog


 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:37 PM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network