20x Lens on the XL1s at DVinfo.net

Shaggy Franks · November 11th, 2004, 04:11 PM

Hi Guys,

Has anybody have tried the new 20x lens with the XL1s?
Do the function Focus and Zoom Preset work flawlessly?

Because the “menu function” Preset Focus Settings is not available in the XL1s.
I’m thinking about getting the 20x lens instead the 16x Manual.

Shaggy

Rob Lohman · November 15th, 2004, 05:59 AM

From one of our articles:

Quote:

It is backward-compatible with the older XL1 and XL1S.

Source: http://www.dvinfo.net/canonxl2/articles/article04.php

You do know that the 20x is a fully automatic lens which the 16x
manual isn't, right? It's a bit weird to swap one for the other if
the other one would not work (it does).

Shaggy Franks · November 15th, 2004, 07:16 AM

Hey,

Yes I'm aware of that, its just have been reading that the 20x is as good or even better then the 16x.
I'm sure that the 20x will fit on the XL1s, but will it bring the features with it?
IN the XL2 manual it is posted that you need to do some setting for the 20x in the Menu.
So I'm asking has anybody tried this on the XL1s with accomplishment.
Will the features work on a XL1s since it don't have this feature in it's Menu?

Shaggy

Chris Hurd · November 16th, 2004, 08:14 AM

That's a good question. Somebody will have to test it!

Greg Boston · November 17th, 2004, 12:10 PM

Shaggy,

I just tested the 20X lens on my XL1. The focus and zoom presets DO WORK. However, the viewfinder isn't able to show the yellow box for the zoom preset position like the XL2 does. The zoom went at slow speed. The speed is controllable on the XL-2 as it uses the same speed that the thumbwheel gives when the handle setting is set to constant speed. The focus was pretty much instantaneous.

I don't have an XL1s, but I can pretty much assure you that it would behave the same way the Xl1 did.

Frankly, I'm a little suprised because I thought the 'preset' memory would be handled in the camera body via information coming through the lens contacts. No wonder the 20X is heavier, it's got its own computer in there (grin).

regards,

=gb=

Bryce Baird · November 17th, 2004, 10:17 PM

Greg,

Did you notice an improvement in image quality with the 20x on the XL1?
And does this lense 'hunt' or go out of focus with the same enthusiasm as the original 16x occasionally does? I'm thinking of buying the 20x, as while the XL2 is an attractive camera, I'm not sure I need 16:9 or 25p just yet, but like the sound of this lense, and would like to improve the optics.
Do you think it is worth the investment?, or is the difference between the two subtle...

Thanks,

bryce

Karl Heiner · November 18th, 2004, 10:32 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Bryce Baird : Greg,

Did you notice an improvement in image quality with the 20x on the XL1?
And does this lense 'hunt' or go out of focus with the same enthusiasm as the original 16x occasionally does? I'm thinking of buying the 20x, as while the XL2 is an attractive camera, I'm not sure I need 16:9 or 25p just yet, but like the sound of this lense, and would like to improve the optics.
Do you think it is worth the investment?, or is the difference between the two subtle...

Thanks,

bryce -->>>

hello bryce,

i am a new owner of a xl1s, and during my first shootings (studio setting) i was shocked about the hunting effect.

reading your post, do you think the hunting effect is belongs to the 16x lense?

greetings

Greg Boston · November 19th, 2004, 10:21 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by Bryce Baird : Greg,

Did you notice an improvement in image quality with the 20x on the XL1?
And does this lense 'hunt' or go out of focus with the same enthusiasm as the original 16x occasionally does? I'm thinking of buying the 20x, as while the XL2 is an attractive camera, I'm not sure I need 16:9 or 25p just yet, but like the sound of this lense, and would like to improve the optics.
Do you think it is worth the investment?, or is the difference between the two subtle...
-->>>

To be honest Bryce, I was just doing a quick functionality test of the presets on my XL-1. Wasn't observing image quality that much. Obviously, the 20X has its advantages. It will give you more zoom to work with, the presets DO work, and it is the L series which has flourite coated elements that help reduce internal contrast reducing glare. It wouldn't be a bad investment, especially if you are considering going XL-2 down the road. You would only have to buy an XL-2 body.

regards,

=gb=

Bryce Baird · November 22nd, 2004, 01:52 PM

"I am a new owner of a xl1s, and during my first shootings (studio setting) i was shocked about the hunting effect.

reading your post, do you think the hunting effect is belongs to the 16x lense?"

Hi Karl,
The 16x is, I believe worse than the 16xII for hunting, but once you are used to the fact that it is going to hunt or play up you will learn to modify your technique.
Most of my work is with vehicles, usually moving and often at long distance and due to the inadequacies of the viewfinder it is almost impossible to maintain critical focus on a moving object, so I am forced to use auto-focus in many situations. But I must stress that the lense is fantastic for 95% of the time, and in a studio situation shouldn't pose a problem. Just manually focus. Any auto-focus system will play up, especially in lowlight. I think you need either the maunual 16x or to use the 16II manually.
Any piece of equipment has a learning curve, and I'm sure you will learn to love your new gear!
Good luck!

Bill Ravens · November 22nd, 2004, 02:48 PM

I used the 20x lens on a project a week ago. After looking at the capture footage on my large screen monitor, I'm disappointed to say that the focus hunting problem is still apparent on the 20x lens. The main subject stayed in focus, thanks to DOF, however, objects in the background have a VERY annoying focus/defocus at about 1 cycle per second. This makes my footage practically useless.

Jimmy McKenzie · November 22nd, 2004, 03:00 PM

Well that confirms it! A fresh round of manual settings only for me and my mates!
I know well the scourge of the back focus seek and annoy issue.
For run and gun in impossible situations only is the autofocus an asset.
To me it is still wildly incredible that the remote zoom controller has the focus +/ - buttons on it.

Frank Daghigh · December 9th, 2004, 01:55 PM

Bill,

I am disappointed to see that the 20X lense is working the same way as the 16X lense did. I was hoping that Cannon did resolve this issue once and for all.

I was ready to invest and upgrade both of my XL1s cameras with this new lens and I guess, I have to wait for the XL3 to hopefully solve this focusing problem!!!

Mathieu Ghekiere · December 9th, 2004, 02:08 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Frank Daghigh : Bill,

I am disappointed to see that the 20X lense is working the same way as the 16X lense did. I was hoping that Cannon did resolve this issue once and for all.

I was ready to invest and upgrade both of my XL1s cameras with this new lens and I guess, I have to wait for the XL3 to hopefully solve this focusing problem!!! -->>>

You can also just buy a manual lens ;-)

November 11th, 2004, 04:11 PM	#1
Shaggy Franks Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Georgia Posts: 76	20x Lens on the XL1s Hi Guys, Has anybody have tried the new 20x lens with the XL1s? Do the function Focus and Zoom Preset work flawlessly? Because the “menu function” Preset Focus Settings is not available in the XL1s. I’m thinking about getting the 20x lens instead the 16x Manual. Shaggy __________________ Apple Pro

November 15th, 2004, 07:16 AM	#3
Shaggy Franks Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Georgia Posts: 76	Hey, Yes I'm aware of that, its just have been reading that the 20x is as good or even better then the 16x. I'm sure that the 20x will fit on the XL1s, but will it bring the features with it? IN the XL2 manual it is posted that you need to do some setting for the 20x in the Menu. So I'm asking has anybody tried this on the XL1s with accomplishment. Will the features work on a XL1s since it don't have this feature in it's Menu? Shaggy __________________ Apple Pro

November 16th, 2004, 08:14 AM	#4
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	That's a good question. Somebody will have to test it! __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

November 17th, 2004, 10:17 PM	#6
Bryce Baird Tourist Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: New Zealand Posts: 2	20x on xl1 Greg, Did you notice an improvement in image quality with the 20x on the XL1? And does this lense 'hunt' or go out of focus with the same enthusiasm as the original 16x occasionally does? I'm thinking of buying the 20x, as while the XL2 is an attractive camera, I'm not sure I need 16:9 or 25p just yet, but like the sound of this lense, and would like to improve the optics. Do you think it is worth the investment?, or is the difference between the two subtle... Thanks, bryce

November 18th, 2004, 10:32 PM	#7
Karl Heiner Major Player Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: california Posts: 342	Re: 20x on xl1 <<<-- Originally posted by Bryce Baird : Greg, Did you notice an improvement in image quality with the 20x on the XL1? And does this lense 'hunt' or go out of focus with the same enthusiasm as the original 16x occasionally does? I'm thinking of buying the 20x, as while the XL2 is an attractive camera, I'm not sure I need 16:9 or 25p just yet, but like the sound of this lense, and would like to improve the optics. Do you think it is worth the investment?, or is the difference between the two subtle... Thanks, bryce -->>> hello bryce, i am a new owner of a xl1s, and during my first shootings (studio setting) i was shocked about the hunting effect. reading your post, do you think the hunting effect is belongs to the 16x lense? greetings

November 17th, 2004, 12:10 PM	#5
Greg Boston Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: DFW area, TX Posts: 6,117 Images: 1	Shaggy, I just tested the 20X lens on my XL1. The focus and zoom presets DO WORK. However, the viewfinder isn't able to show the yellow box for the zoom preset position like the XL2 does. The zoom went at slow speed. The speed is controllable on the XL-2 as it uses the same speed that the thumbwheel gives when the handle setting is set to constant speed. The focus was pretty much instantaneous. I don't have an XL1s, but I can pretty much assure you that it would behave the same way the Xl1 did. Frankly, I'm a little suprised because I thought the 'preset' memory would be handled in the camera body via information coming through the lens contacts. No wonder the 20X is heavier, it's got its own computer in there (grin). regards, =gb=

November 19th, 2004, 10:21 AM	#8
Greg Boston Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: DFW area, TX Posts: 6,117 Images: 1	Re: 20x on xl1 <<<-- Originally posted by Bryce Baird : Greg, Did you notice an improvement in image quality with the 20x on the XL1? And does this lense 'hunt' or go out of focus with the same enthusiasm as the original 16x occasionally does? I'm thinking of buying the 20x, as while the XL2 is an attractive camera, I'm not sure I need 16:9 or 25p just yet, but like the sound of this lense, and would like to improve the optics. Do you think it is worth the investment?, or is the difference between the two subtle... -->>> To be honest Bryce, I was just doing a quick functionality test of the presets on my XL-1. Wasn't observing image quality that much. Obviously, the 20X has its advantages. It will give you more zoom to work with, the presets DO work, and it is the L series which has flourite coated elements that help reduce internal contrast reducing glare. It wouldn't be a bad investment, especially if you are considering going XL-2 down the road. You would only have to buy an XL-2 body. regards, =gb=

November 22nd, 2004, 01:52 PM	#9
Bryce Baird Tourist Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: New Zealand Posts: 2	Karl "I am a new owner of a xl1s, and during my first shootings (studio setting) i was shocked about the hunting effect. reading your post, do you think the hunting effect is belongs to the 16x lense?" Hi Karl, The 16x is, I believe worse than the 16xII for hunting, but once you are used to the fact that it is going to hunt or play up you will learn to modify your technique. Most of my work is with vehicles, usually moving and often at long distance and due to the inadequacies of the viewfinder it is almost impossible to maintain critical focus on a moving object, so I am forced to use auto-focus in many situations. But I must stress that the lense is fantastic for 95% of the time, and in a studio situation shouldn't pose a problem. Just manually focus. Any auto-focus system will play up, especially in lowlight. I think you need either the maunual 16x or to use the 16II manually. Any piece of equipment has a learning curve, and I'm sure you will learn to love your new gear! Good luck!

November 22nd, 2004, 02:48 PM	#10
Bill Ravens Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: santa fe, nm Posts: 3,264 Images: 10	I used the 20x lens on a project a week ago. After looking at the capture footage on my large screen monitor, I'm disappointed to say that the focus hunting problem is still apparent on the 20x lens. The main subject stayed in focus, thanks to DOF, however, objects in the background have a VERY annoying focus/defocus at about 1 cycle per second. This makes my footage practically useless.

November 22nd, 2004, 03:00 PM	#11
Jimmy McKenzie Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Waterloo Ontario Posts: 721	Well that confirms it! A fresh round of manual settings only for me and my mates! I know well the scourge of the back focus seek and annoy issue. For run and gun in impossible situations only is the autofocus an asset. To me it is still wildly incredible that the remote zoom controller has the focus +/ - buttons on it.

December 9th, 2004, 01:55 PM	#12
Frank Daghigh Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Phoenixville, PA Posts: 25	Bill, I am disappointed to see that the 20X lense is working the same way as the 16X lense did. I was hoping that Cannon did resolve this issue once and for all. I was ready to invest and upgrade both of my XL1s cameras with this new lens and I guess, I have to wait for the XL3 to hopefully solve this focusing problem!!! __________________ Frank Daghigh Panorama

December 9th, 2004, 02:08 PM	#13
Mathieu Ghekiere Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Belgium Posts: 2,195	<<<-- Originally posted by Frank Daghigh : Bill, I am disappointed to see that the 20X lense is working the same way as the 16X lense did. I was hoping that Cannon did resolve this issue once and for all. I was ready to invest and upgrade both of my XL1s cameras with this new lens and I guess, I have to wait for the XL3 to hopefully solve this focusing problem!!! -->>> You can also just buy a manual lens ;-)