EX3 XS8x4 wide angle in the flesh at DVinfo.net

Dan Chung · November 6th, 2008, 04:40 AM

I'm just back from the BIRTV 2008 show in Beijing, where I got to play with the XS8x4 for the first time. Initial impressions are that it is very similar to the stock lens but the focus may be slightly smoother. The front has a very nice removable rubber hood and a large thread on it. It seemed very sharp to the edges and seemed to have little CA. Didn't seem all that much wider than the stock lens with a Sony WA adapter however. Still it handles much better than a stock lens + adapter.

Dan

Leonard Levy · November 6th, 2008, 12:28 PM

how much will these cost?

Chris Li · November 6th, 2008, 12:46 PM

Very interesting. A Sony rep at the recent Pro Products trade show in MD told me they weren't going to be releasing a wide zoom lens anymore. He referred me to the nearby Fuji booth to look at their XDCAM 1/2" lenses . These lenses work w/EX3 but they are the expensive broadcast lenses w/zoom motor in handle. Not what I had envisioned.
The lens in your photos seems more appropriate (lighter/less expensive ?)

thanks for the info.

Ned Soltz · November 6th, 2008, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leonard Levy

how much will these cost?

Sony rep told me today to look for them end of November or early December.

Last I heard, price was around $4000

Dan Chung · November 6th, 2008, 06:43 PM

I was told the lens will be available at some point as yet undecided and that in Asia at least they had not decided whether Fujinon or Sony were going to distribute the lens.

Dan

Alister Chapman · November 7th, 2008, 02:04 AM

I believe the lens and lens adapters for the EX3 will be distributed by Fujinon as they are after all Fujinon products produced by Fujinon and not Sony.

Dan Chung · November 7th, 2008, 03:51 AM

I went back to the show today and they confirmed the same thing for Asia, Fujinon will distribute and it will ship before the end of the year.

Dan

Eugene Presley · November 7th, 2008, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ned Soltz

Sony rep told me today to look for them end of November or early December.

Last I heard, price was around $4000

This was confirmed to me by B&H also.

Phil Bloom · November 7th, 2008, 12:42 PM

be good to know how much wider it is than the stock lens with wide angle adaptor on

Svein Rune Skilnand · November 7th, 2008, 01:14 PM

These are the numbers I have been given by my supplier: XS8X4AS-XB8 is 4~32 mm (equal to 21.5~173 mm compared to a still 35 mm camera)

November 6th, 2008, 04:40 AM	#1
Dan Chung Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Beijing Posts: 665	EX3 XS8x4 wide angle in the flesh I'm just back from the BIRTV 2008 show in Beijing, where I got to play with the XS8x4 for the first time. Initial impressions are that it is very similar to the stock lens but the focus may be slightly smoother. The front has a very nice removable rubber hood and a large thread on it. It seemed very sharp to the edges and seemed to have little CA. Didn't seem all that much wider than the stock lens with a Sony WA adapter however. Still it handles much better than a stock lens + adapter. Dan Attached Thumbnails

November 7th, 2008, 02:04 AM	#6
Alister Chapman Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, UK Posts: 4,957	I believe the lens and lens adapters for the EX3 will be distributed by Fujinon as they are after all Fujinon products produced by Fujinon and not Sony. __________________ Alister Chapman, Film-Maker/Stormchaser http://www.xdcam-user.com/alisters-blog/ My XDCAM site and blog. http://www.hurricane-rig.com

November 7th, 2008, 12:42 PM	#9
Phil Bloom Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: London UK Posts: 1,939	be good to know how much wider it is than the stock lens with wide angle adaptor on __________________ Philip Bloom Cinematographer, Director, Filmmaker www.philipbloom.net

November 6th, 2008, 12:28 PM	#2
Leonard Levy Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: USA Posts: 1,684	how much will these cost?

November 6th, 2008, 12:46 PM	#3
Chris Li Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: Wash. DC area Posts: 154	Very interesting. A Sony rep at the recent Pro Products trade show in MD told me they weren't going to be releasing a wide zoom lens anymore. He referred me to the nearby Fuji booth to look at their XDCAM 1/2" lenses . These lenses work w/EX3 but they are the expensive broadcast lenses w/zoom motor in handle. Not what I had envisioned. The lens in your photos seems more appropriate (lighter/less expensive ?) thanks for the info.

November 6th, 2008, 06:43 PM	#5
Dan Chung Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Beijing Posts: 665	I was told the lens will be available at some point as yet undecided and that in Asia at least they had not decided whether Fujinon or Sony were going to distribute the lens. Dan

November 7th, 2008, 03:51 AM	#7
Dan Chung Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Beijing Posts: 665	I went back to the show today and they confirmed the same thing for Asia, Fujinon will distribute and it will ship before the end of the year. Dan

November 7th, 2008, 01:14 PM	#10
Svein Rune Skilnand Major Player Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fidjeland, Norway Posts: 289	These are the numbers I have been given by my supplier: XS8X4AS-XB8 is 4~32 mm (equal to 21.5~173 mm compared to a still 35 mm camera)