XL2 and 70-300 lens at DVinfo.net

Caleb Royer · July 25th, 2009, 01:30 PM

I own an XL2 and the focal length of the stock lens is just not enough, so I am looking into getting the Canon EF adapter and a Canon 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS lens (see link below).
I think the focal length is good but what about the image quality.
I shoot mainly small birds, deer and other wildlife in the forest.

EOS (SLR) Camera Systems - Telephoto Zoom - Telephoto Zoom Lens - EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM - Canon USA Consumer Products

Thanks in Advance,

CJ

Ofer Levy · July 25th, 2009, 05:29 PM

Hi Caleb,
I have no experience with this lens but I think you should consider the following:
The more expensive/higher quality lens you get - the better image quality will be.
I bought the Nikon 200-400 f4 G VR for just over 6 grand. Lately I was thinking maybe I made a mistake for not even considering the four times cheaper Nikon 80-400.
However, yesterday I had to use another decent Nikon lens the 80-200 f2.8 (which costs about 1 grand) and was surprised as to how inferior image quality is compared with the Nikon 200-400. Quite severe chromatic aberration, colors not as vivid and even sharpness is not at the same league.
My advice to you - get the best lens you can afford - the video camera is not more forgiving than the SLR camera IMO.
Cheers,
Ofer Levy Photography

Tony Davies-Patrick · July 25th, 2009, 06:37 PM

Never skimp on glass...

It is the quality of the optics that matter most in photography - for stills, film and video. So always buy the best quality that your budget will allow.

Steve Siegel · July 25th, 2009, 07:06 PM

Caleb,
I used the 70-300mm for years with the XL-2, and the XL-1s, shooting small birds, just like you. The image quality is fine. It isn't quite as good as the 100-400, but at less than half the price, and less than half the weight, you won't go wrong. My only complaints with the lens were that it gets soft above f/16, and the manual focusing (you do not get autofocus with the EF adapter) is very sensitive, and shows no mercy for tiny errors. With the XL-2's crappy viewfinder, that can be an issue.
If Canon still offers two versions of the 70-300, don't buy the cheaper one.

Ofer Levy · July 25th, 2009, 08:34 PM

[QUOTE=Steve Siegel;1176663]
My only complaints with the lens were that it gets soft above f/16, [QUOTE]

Hi Steve, as far as I understand image obtained with all lenses when stopped to around f16 - f22 looks soft because of the small size of the sensors.
Cheers,
Ofer

Caleb Royer · July 25th, 2009, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Siegel

Caleb,
I used the 70-300mm for years with the XL-2, and the XL-1s, shooting small birds, just like you. The image quality is fine. It isn't quite as good as the 100-400, but at less than half the price, and less than half the weight, you won't go wrong. My only complaints with the lens were that it gets soft above f/16, and the manual focusing (you do not get autofocus with the EF adapter) is very sensitive, and shows no mercy for tiny errors. With the XL-2's crappy viewfinder, that can be an issue.
If Canon still offers two versions of the 70-300, don't buy the cheaper one.

Thanks for the info Steve, sounds like that is the lens for me, just one thing though, what tripod and head do you use with the XL2 and 70-300 lens?

Thanks for the info all,

CJ

Ben Longden · July 26th, 2009, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ofer Levy

yesterday I had to use another decent Nikon lens the 80-200 f2.8 (which costs about 1 grand) and was surprised as to how inferior image quality is compared with the Nikon 200-400. Quite severe chromatic aberration, colors not as vivid and even sharpness is not at the same league.
Ofer Levy Photography

Must have been dropped.

My 80-200f2.8 is as razor sharp the day I bought it fifteen years ago, and that was solid news gathering work.

Perhaps it needs collimating?

Ben

Ofer Levy · July 26th, 2009, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Longden

Must have been dropped.

My 80-200f2.8 is as razor sharp the day I bought it fifteen years ago, and that was solid news gathering work.

Perhaps it needs collimating?

Ben

Hi Ben, I have tested the lens and there is no problem with it. However, the image quality I get with it at 200mm compared with what I get with the Nikon 200-400 f4 G VR at 200mm is like chalk and cheese.
I guess it shouldn't be such a surprise when you compare the costs of these two lenses. (1500AUD and nearly 9 grand) What I find especially bad is the level of the chromatic aberration in certain light conditions. There is almost no CA with the 200-400 but very noticeable one with the 80-200.

Lauri Kettunen · July 27th, 2009, 01:01 AM

[QUOTE=Ofer Levy;1176678as far as I understand image obtained with all lenses when stopped to around f16 - f22 looks soft because of the small size of the sensors.[/QUOTE]

Yes, that's the case. One should not stop any lens too much but instead use a ND filter.

Steve Siegel · July 28th, 2009, 01:08 PM

Caleb,
I use a Bogen 316 head on a (very old and heavy) Gitzo Studex tripod. It works OK, but I have added some "homemade" stuff and the weight is pretty much at the limit of what that head can handle. Just the camcorder and lens should be fine, however. Don't expect the slick smoothness of a Miller, Vinten, or Sackler head.

July 25th, 2009, 01:30 PM	#1
Caleb Royer Regular Crew Join Date: May 2009 Location: Ozarks, Missouri, USA Posts: 109	XL2 and 70-300 lens I own an XL2 and the focal length of the stock lens is just not enough, so I am looking into getting the Canon EF adapter and a Canon 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS lens (see link below). I think the focal length is good but what about the image quality. I shoot mainly small birds, deer and other wildlife in the forest. EOS (SLR) Camera Systems - Telephoto Zoom - Telephoto Zoom Lens - EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM - Canon USA Consumer Products Thanks in Advance, CJ

July 25th, 2009, 05:29 PM	#2
Ofer Levy Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sydney-Australia Posts: 443	Hi Caleb, I have no experience with this lens but I think you should consider the following: The more expensive/higher quality lens you get - the better image quality will be. I bought the Nikon 200-400 f4 G VR for just over 6 grand. Lately I was thinking maybe I made a mistake for not even considering the four times cheaper Nikon 80-400. However, yesterday I had to use another decent Nikon lens the 80-200 f2.8 (which costs about 1 grand) and was surprised as to how inferior image quality is compared with the Nikon 200-400. Quite severe chromatic aberration, colors not as vivid and even sharpness is not at the same league. My advice to you - get the best lens you can afford - the video camera is not more forgiving than the SLR camera IMO. Cheers, Ofer Levy Photography Last edited by Ofer Levy; July 25th, 2009 at 08:29 PM.

July 25th, 2009, 06:37 PM	#3
Tony Davies-Patrick Trustee Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Worldwide Posts: 1,589	Never skimp on glass... It is the quality of the optics that matter most in photography - for stills, film and video. So always buy the best quality that your budget will allow. __________________ www.WILDCARP.com www.NIKON.me.uk

July 25th, 2009, 07:06 PM	#4
Steve Siegel Major Player Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA Posts: 840	Caleb, I used the 70-300mm for years with the XL-2, and the XL-1s, shooting small birds, just like you. The image quality is fine. It isn't quite as good as the 100-400, but at less than half the price, and less than half the weight, you won't go wrong. My only complaints with the lens were that it gets soft above f/16, and the manual focusing (you do not get autofocus with the EF adapter) is very sensitive, and shows no mercy for tiny errors. With the XL-2's crappy viewfinder, that can be an issue. If Canon still offers two versions of the 70-300, don't buy the cheaper one.

July 25th, 2009, 08:34 PM	#5
Ofer Levy Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sydney-Australia Posts: 443	[QUOTE=Steve Siegel;1176663] My only complaints with the lens were that it gets soft above f/16, [QUOTE] Hi Steve, as far as I understand image obtained with all lenses when stopped to around f16 - f22 looks soft because of the small size of the sensors. Cheers, Ofer

July 27th, 2009, 01:01 AM	#9
Lauri Kettunen Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Kangasala, Finland Posts: 445	[QUOTE=Ofer Levy;1176678as far as I understand image obtained with all lenses when stopped to around f16 - f22 looks soft because of the small size of the sensors.[/QUOTE] Yes, that's the case. One should not stop any lens too much but instead use a ND filter.

July 28th, 2009, 01:08 PM	#10
Steve Siegel Major Player Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA Posts: 840	Caleb, I use a Bogen 316 head on a (very old and heavy) Gitzo Studex tripod. It works OK, but I have added some "homemade" stuff and the weight is pretty much at the limit of what that head can handle. Just the camcorder and lens should be fine, however. Don't expect the slick smoothness of a Miller, Vinten, or Sackler head.