Has anyone had experience with Canon KH20x6.4KRS at DVinfo.net

Jim Forrest · December 9th, 2011, 01:24 PM

Wondering if anyone is using or has used the Canon KH20x6.4KRS HD 1/2 lens. I am thinking of putting it on a PMW-320. Curious to know what you think of it.

Luc De Wandel · December 10th, 2011, 02:31 AM

There was a thread on that lens here: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-xdc...n-hd-lens.html

I have the 320 and decided not to use the stock lens, because I do not like the feel and the ergonomy of it. Especially not the focusing ring. I'm using an SD-lens now: the Canon YH19x6,6 KRS. I once rented a KH20 x 6,4 KRS though and I did not see much difference (on a 42 inch display) in sharpness. In fact, in the centre, I noticed no difference at all. The SD-lens does get less sharp in the corners, unless I close the aperture to al least 5.6. Both lenses have little CA, but they breathe quite a lot. The price difference is huge, so I decided that for the kind of films I'm making (concerts mainly) this lens will do fine.

I must admit I also have the very expensive Canon KH10x3,6 IRSE that I use most, because Iove the effect of the enormous wide angle.

Again, when comparing sharpness of the wide-angle to the much cheaper YH19 SD-lens, the difference in the middle of the image is negligible.

Mind you, I'm quite sure that the stock lens coming with the 320K is very sharp and of very good quality, because the stock lens on the EX3 is also very good, but I just didn't like the feel of that lens. But for it's price, I'm sure it's good value for money.

So, if the 'feel' doesn't bother you, I'd go with the stock lens.

Jim Forrest · December 10th, 2011, 07:47 AM

Thanks for the insight. I just don't like the 'feel' of the stock lens. Don't like the focus ring, when focusing you can accidentally push the ring forward which takes it out of manual. Not sure I like the other settings put directly on the lens either.
I didn't know you could put a SD lens on and have it work with a HD camera. Just thught it would be too soft,

Alister Chapman · December 10th, 2011, 08:19 AM

The difference between the YH19 and KH20 is contrast. I owned both and while a simple resolution test would show very little difference between the lenses, the KH20 showed better contrast and this makes subtle textures look better. I felt the KH20 had more CA than the YH19. This is not uncommon as when you increase resolution, CA tends to increase unless you spend a lot of money on more exotic glass.

It's an OK lens, not a great lens. It is nicer to use that the kit lens, but I doubt you'll notice much of an image quality difference other than more CA with the KH20. Having the extra zoom range is nice. I wouldn't spend a lot of money on one.

Jim Forrest · December 10th, 2011, 10:40 AM

Ok that's good to know. I was looking to get a 19x or 20x for the extra zoom. I had an EX3 with a 14x and it was often not long enough shooting from a back riser to a podium. The PMW 320 has a 16x which is a little better. Really can't afford a lens with a 2x extender now so the 20x seemed attractive.

December 9th, 2011, 01:24 PM	#1
Jim Forrest Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Washington DC Posts: 368	Has anyone had experience with Canon KH20x6.4KRS Wondering if anyone is using or has used the Canon KH20x6.4KRS HD 1/2 lens. I am thinking of putting it on a PMW-320. Curious to know what you think of it. Last edited by Jim Forrest; December 9th, 2011 at 06:55 PM.

December 10th, 2011, 02:31 AM	#2
Luc De Wandel Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Knokke-Heist, Belgium Posts: 963	Re: Has anyone had experience with Canon KH20x6.4KRS There was a thread on that lens here: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-xdc...n-hd-lens.html I have the 320 and decided not to use the stock lens, because I do not like the feel and the ergonomy of it. Especially not the focusing ring. I'm using an SD-lens now: the Canon YH19x6,6 KRS. I once rented a KH20 x 6,4 KRS though and I did not see much difference (on a 42 inch display) in sharpness. In fact, in the centre, I noticed no difference at all. The SD-lens does get less sharp in the corners, unless I close the aperture to al least 5.6. Both lenses have little CA, but they breathe quite a lot. The price difference is huge, so I decided that for the kind of films I'm making (concerts mainly) this lens will do fine. I must admit I also have the very expensive Canon KH10x3,6 IRSE that I use most, because Iove the effect of the enormous wide angle. Again, when comparing sharpness of the wide-angle to the much cheaper YH19 SD-lens, the difference in the middle of the image is negligible. Mind you, I'm quite sure that the stock lens coming with the 320K is very sharp and of very good quality, because the stock lens on the EX3 is also very good, but I just didn't like the feel of that lens. But for it's price, I'm sure it's good value for money. So, if the 'feel' doesn't bother you, I'd go with the stock lens.

December 10th, 2011, 07:47 AM	#3
Jim Forrest Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Washington DC Posts: 368	Re: Has anyone had experience with Canon KH20x6.4KRS Thanks for the insight. I just don't like the 'feel' of the stock lens. Don't like the focus ring, when focusing you can accidentally push the ring forward which takes it out of manual. Not sure I like the other settings put directly on the lens either. I didn't know you could put a SD lens on and have it work with a HD camera. Just thught it would be too soft,

December 10th, 2011, 08:19 AM	#4
Alister Chapman Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, UK Posts: 4,957	Re: Has anyone had experience with Canon KH20x6.4KRS The difference between the YH19 and KH20 is contrast. I owned both and while a simple resolution test would show very little difference between the lenses, the KH20 showed better contrast and this makes subtle textures look better. I felt the KH20 had more CA than the YH19. This is not uncommon as when you increase resolution, CA tends to increase unless you spend a lot of money on more exotic glass. It's an OK lens, not a great lens. It is nicer to use that the kit lens, but I doubt you'll notice much of an image quality difference other than more CA with the KH20. Having the extra zoom range is nice. I wouldn't spend a lot of money on one. __________________ Alister Chapman, Film-Maker/Stormchaser http://www.xdcam-user.com/alisters-blog/ My XDCAM site and blog. http://www.hurricane-rig.com

December 10th, 2011, 10:40 AM	#5
Jim Forrest Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Washington DC Posts: 368	Re: Has anyone had experience with Canon KH20x6.4KRS Ok that's good to know. I was looking to get a 19x or 20x for the extra zoom. I had an EX3 with a 14x and it was often not long enough shooting from a back riser to a podium. The PMW 320 has a 16x which is a little better. Really can't afford a lens with a 2x extender now so the 20x seemed attractive.