Xl1s + Manual Servo Lens at DVinfo.net

Christopher Hughes · January 30th, 2003, 01:56 PM

Just wondering if anyone in here has bought a PAL - XL1s (body only) combined with the 14x Manual Servo Lens. Where did you buy it and for how much?

I'm just wondering if it would be better to buy body and Man lens rather than the standard kit, and then having to get the manual lens later. I may as well get the "ideal" kit straight off the bat, as long as the price is right.

So any know of a good- but cheap-site or company let me know - thanks! And dont bother to tell me if the company is www.nomatica.com, as if you have seen my post thats the reason I still have NO XL1s.... :(

So let me know!

P.S THANKS to all those who come here, this is one great site and very addictive, you have great advice and its great to chat about cameras and gear. Here no one ever calls me a "trainspotter" for being over excited with cameras...and especially for knowing their model numbers and things... :)

Dylan Couper · January 30th, 2003, 08:09 PM

If you want a site you are guaranteed not to get burned by, check out this forums sponsors. www.zgc.com or www.zotzdigital.com They both have an excellent reputation, very reasonable prices, and no bait 'n switch tactics like you experienced before.

If I only wanted the manual lens, I'd buy a body seperatly and then the manual lens. Although the stock 16x IS lens is a better lens for all around use, so it's good to have.

Adrian Douglas · January 31st, 2003, 06:15 AM

One thing to be careful of is that there are 2 Canon manual lenses. I is the older 14x lens that is fully manual with the iris control on the lens body and no servo zoom. The other is the 16x manual servo lens with the iris adjustment done using the iris wheel on the camera body and a zoom servo motor for zoom using the rocker switch/remote

Christopher Hughes · January 31st, 2003, 02:03 PM

Anyone know any sites in UK??? I guess its probably the 16x lens that I was after rather than the 14x (my mistake) But some say the 14x is a little better. What does everyone else who has one think?

Jeff Donald · January 31st, 2003, 02:52 PM

I prefer the 14X for the completely manual iris (aperture) control. I don't do a lot of zooming with that lens so the manual zoom is not a problem. If you require a zoom (zooming while you tape) the servo will give smoother zooms. There are remote zoom and focus controls for the 14X available. Optically the reports I've read give a slight edge to the 14X also, but it's splitting hairs.

Kai Leibrandt · January 31st, 2003, 09:13 PM

Christopher -

if you're looking to buy a manual 16x in the UK then check out www.dvwarehouse.co.uk. It's actually run by Optex I think so should be reputable, although I have never done any business with them.
About the lens; I got the manual 16x about a year ago and boy is it the best investment I made since getting the XL1. It's obviously not cheap but the image really benefits from it, let alone having a true manual focus and zoom. The zoom servo is switch-offable so you don't have to use it, in case you need to do those crazy fast zooms.
The iris is controlled from the iris control on your camera body, many people would prefer a ring on the lens but i have no issue with it being where it is.
The 16x manual is no more an internal focus than the 14x, but the front of the lens doesn't rotate anymore in contrast to the 14x. This is good for graded filters, and polarizing filters as any filters attached to the thread don't move when you focus.
Although i do a lot of stick work, but I have used the auto 16x maybe once or twice since i had the manual, so for me the auto is just dead weight lying around (and my step-in in case the manual needs servicing etc), so it's not inconceivable to just have the manual. but - ymmv!
Oh, and it looks the part too!

Kai.

Don Berube · February 17th, 2003, 05:25 AM

Christopher,

As Kailee points out, Optex is a good resource in the UK. Give Simon a ring at Optex, he is a very friendly and knowledgeable person and has a good connection with the DV Filmmaking crowd.

http://www.optexint.com -and- http://www.xl1s.com

- don

Frank Wright · February 20th, 2003, 06:20 AM

Chris,

I'm a newbie to the XL1S, so I decided to get the best of both worlds and get the 16x IS and the 14x Manual. My thoughts were that I could learn with the 14x Manual and switch to the 16x IS whenever I wasn't getting the response that I wanted because I wasn't a) comfortable, b) understanding it, or c) had a massive brain lock that day. I'm still getting accustomed to everything, but so far I've been extremely happy with that solution. It will cost more to buy that kind of a package, but to me, as I'm still learning, it makes more sense.

Frank

Don Berube · February 20th, 2003, 07:43 AM

Excellent Frank!

Please let me know if you have any questions about the lenses - or anything else for that matter. Wer'e always willing to help out whenever possible.

Keep in touch,

Frank Wright · February 20th, 2003, 07:53 AM

Don,

Thanks for the note. I've got a long way to go, as I'm still working my way through the manual, doing like 50 different things with each setting to learn what I'm doing. When I get stuck, as I will soon and often, believe me when I say my posts will be appearing on this site. This is a great community here!

Frank

Fritzy Rackoon · April 2nd, 2003, 09:04 AM

The choice of lense seems to be partly determined by the choice of dealer - or vice versa. It seems to be rather difficult to find a shop that is pro enough to know and have experience with the more detailed requirements of users as discussed in forums like this, and one that isn't too pro - for this type of dealer won't bother with DV at all. This at least is my experience in Berlin, Germany. To the pro outfits, the XL1 is consumer; and to the DV shops, a manual lense is a pro requirement (no stock, no experience, no service).

So what's the way round? Ideally, I'd buy what I've previously hired with a view to buy. But what if a shop like that is only virtual?

Recommendations for a way around or, even better (Kai Leibrandt?), refrence to an honourable dealer in Deutschland invited - and thanx for your support.

Christopher Hughes · April 3rd, 2003, 01:11 PM

Looks like you have same problem in Germany as I had here. I could find no specialist shops near me as to go an see equipment and gear. So I just did lots of reading and bought from a virtual source shop, "Optex" as it happens, without even having the camera in my hands or seeing it up close - what faith I had....hahahaha But Optex were cool and talked to you like just a mate on the phone, unlike other 'cold' stores that just barked like a dog at you for your order details.

But I'm really happy with it. I have used the PD150 and loved that to bits, great for low light as everyone knows. But I liked the flexibility of the XL1s, after you have bought all the bits that is, and I like its smoothness - a bit more 'capuccino' than Sony's coffee. But hopefull I can get to the IOV show in birmingham, UK this month and check the gear there. And hopefully shake the hands of the nice blokes at OPTEX. Their one nice salesman encouraged me to use them again, even though I could have got a little cheaper, they had a great attitude and gear came very quick, often quicker than they stated.

So I would recommend any people in UK with the same problem as me that there are no decent camcorder shops near by, give Optex a call or e-mail and I'm sure they can answer your questions that 'virtual stores' or consumer high street stores cannot.

January 30th, 2003, 01:56 PM	#1
Christopher Hughes Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Sunderland, England (y Merida, Mexico) Posts: 269	Xl1s + Manual Servo Lens Just wondering if anyone in here has bought a PAL - XL1s (body only) combined with the 14x Manual Servo Lens. Where did you buy it and for how much? I'm just wondering if it would be better to buy body and Man lens rather than the standard kit, and then having to get the manual lens later. I may as well get the "ideal" kit straight off the bat, as long as the price is right. So any know of a good- but cheap-site or company let me know - thanks! And dont bother to tell me if the company is www.nomatica.com, as if you have seen my post thats the reason I still have NO XL1s.... :( So let me know! P.S THANKS to all those who come here, this is one great site and very addictive, you have great advice and its great to chat about cameras and gear. Here no one ever calls me a "trainspotter" for being over excited with cameras...and especially for knowing their model numbers and things... :)

January 31st, 2003, 06:15 AM	#3
Adrian Douglas Trustee Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Chigasaki, Japan. Posts: 1,660	One thing to be careful of is that there are 2 Canon manual lenses. I is the older 14x lens that is fully manual with the iris control on the lens body and no servo zoom. The other is the 16x manual servo lens with the iris adjustment done using the iris wheel on the camera body and a zoom servo motor for zoom using the rocker switch/remote __________________ Adrian DVInfo.net Search for quick answers Where to buy? From the best in the business...DVInfo.net sponsors

January 31st, 2003, 02:52 PM	#5
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	I prefer the 14X for the completely manual iris (aperture) control. I don't do a lot of zooming with that lens so the manual zoom is not a problem. If you require a zoom (zooming while you tape) the servo will give smoother zooms. There are remote zoom and focus controls for the 14X available. Optically the reports I've read give a slight edge to the 14X also, but it's splitting hairs. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

February 17th, 2003, 05:25 AM	#7
Don Berube Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Boston, MA (travel frequently) Posts: 837	Christopher, As Kailee points out, Optex is a good resource in the UK. Give Simon a ring at Optex, he is a very friendly and knowledgeable person and has a good connection with the DV Filmmaking crowd. http://www.optexint.com -and- http://www.xl1s.com - don __________________ DONALD BERUBE - noisybrain. Productions, LLC Director Of Photography/ Producer/ Consultant http://noisybrain.com/donbio.html CREATE and NETWORK with http://www.bosfcpug.org and also http://fcpugnetwork.org

February 20th, 2003, 07:43 AM	#9
Don Berube Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Boston, MA (travel frequently) Posts: 837	Excellent Frank! Please let me know if you have any questions about the lenses - or anything else for that matter. Wer'e always willing to help out whenever possible. Keep in touch, __________________ DONALD BERUBE - noisybrain. Productions, LLC Director Of Photography/ Producer/ Consultant http://noisybrain.com/donbio.html CREATE and NETWORK with http://www.bosfcpug.org and also http://fcpugnetwork.org

January 30th, 2003, 08:09 PM	#2
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	If you want a site you are guaranteed not to get burned by, check out this forums sponsors. www.zgc.com or www.zotzdigital.com They both have an excellent reputation, very reasonable prices, and no bait 'n switch tactics like you experienced before. If I only wanted the manual lens, I'd buy a body seperatly and then the manual lens. Although the stock 16x IS lens is a better lens for all around use, so it's good to have.

January 31st, 2003, 02:03 PM	#4
Christopher Hughes Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Sunderland, England (y Merida, Mexico) Posts: 269	Anyone know any sites in UK??? I guess its probably the 16x lens that I was after rather than the 14x (my mistake) But some say the 14x is a little better. What does everyone else who has one think?

January 31st, 2003, 09:13 PM	#6
Kai Leibrandt Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Munich, Germany Posts: 70	Christopher - if you're looking to buy a manual 16x in the UK then check out www.dvwarehouse.co.uk. It's actually run by Optex I think so should be reputable, although I have never done any business with them. About the lens; I got the manual 16x about a year ago and boy is it the best investment I made since getting the XL1. It's obviously not cheap but the image really benefits from it, let alone having a true manual focus and zoom. The zoom servo is switch-offable so you don't have to use it, in case you need to do those crazy fast zooms. The iris is controlled from the iris control on your camera body, many people would prefer a ring on the lens but i have no issue with it being where it is. The 16x manual is no more an internal focus than the 14x, but the front of the lens doesn't rotate anymore in contrast to the 14x. This is good for graded filters, and polarizing filters as any filters attached to the thread don't move when you focus. Although i do a lot of stick work, but I have used the auto 16x maybe once or twice since i had the manual, so for me the auto is just dead weight lying around (and my step-in in case the manual needs servicing etc), so it's not inconceivable to just have the manual. but - ymmv! Oh, and it looks the part too! Kai.

February 20th, 2003, 06:20 AM	#8
Frank Wright New Boot Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 5	Chris, I'm a newbie to the XL1S, so I decided to get the best of both worlds and get the 16x IS and the 14x Manual. My thoughts were that I could learn with the 14x Manual and switch to the 16x IS whenever I wasn't getting the response that I wanted because I wasn't a) comfortable, b) understanding it, or c) had a massive brain lock that day. I'm still getting accustomed to everything, but so far I've been extremely happy with that solution. It will cost more to buy that kind of a package, but to me, as I'm still learning, it makes more sense. Frank

February 20th, 2003, 07:53 AM	#10
Frank Wright New Boot Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 5	Don, Thanks for the note. I've got a long way to go, as I'm still working my way through the manual, doing like 50 different things with each setting to learn what I'm doing. When I get stuck, as I will soon and often, believe me when I say my posts will be appearing on this site. This is a great community here! Frank

April 2nd, 2003, 09:04 AM	#11
Fritzy Rackoon New Boot Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Berlin, Germany Posts: 5	The choice of lense seems to be partly determined by the choice of dealer - or vice versa. It seems to be rather difficult to find a shop that is pro enough to know and have experience with the more detailed requirements of users as discussed in forums like this, and one that isn't too pro - for this type of dealer won't bother with DV at all. This at least is my experience in Berlin, Germany. To the pro outfits, the XL1 is consumer; and to the DV shops, a manual lense is a pro requirement (no stock, no experience, no service). So what's the way round? Ideally, I'd buy what I've previously hired with a view to buy. But what if a shop like that is only virtual? Recommendations for a way around or, even better (Kai Leibrandt?), refrence to an honourable dealer in Deutschland invited - and thanx for your support. __________________ Experience is almost always a caricature of the idea

April 3rd, 2003, 01:11 PM	#12
Christopher Hughes Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Sunderland, England (y Merida, Mexico) Posts: 269	Looks like you have same problem in Germany as I had here. I could find no specialist shops near me as to go an see equipment and gear. So I just did lots of reading and bought from a virtual source shop, "Optex" as it happens, without even having the camera in my hands or seeing it up close - what faith I had....hahahaha But Optex were cool and talked to you like just a mate on the phone, unlike other 'cold' stores that just barked like a dog at you for your order details. But I'm really happy with it. I have used the PD150 and loved that to bits, great for low light as everyone knows. But I liked the flexibility of the XL1s, after you have bought all the bits that is, and I like its smoothness - a bit more 'capuccino' than Sony's coffee. But hopefull I can get to the IOV show in birmingham, UK this month and check the gear there. And hopefully shake the hands of the nice blokes at OPTEX. Their one nice salesman encouraged me to use them again, even though I could have got a little cheaper, they had a great attitude and gear came very quick, often quicker than they stated. So I would recommend any people in UK with the same problem as me that there are no decent camcorder shops near by, give Optex a call or e-mail and I'm sure they can answer your questions that 'virtual stores' or consumer high street stores cannot.