Guide to Canon XL2 Lens Options
an article by Chris Hurd
Here is a brief summary of the various XL mount lenses available for the Canon XL2. Remember that all XL-series lenses will mount to any Canon XL2, XL1S or XL1, regardless of whether the camera head is an NTSC or PAL model. Personally I have not had the opportunity to check them all out for myself, but I have included links to user reviews where they exist (lens attachments such as wide-angle adapters, filters, matte boxes, etc. are not included; hopefully they will be the subject of a future article).
| XL Lens | equiv. 35mm focal length | max ap | filter | remote | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16:9 | 4:3 | ||||
| Canon 20x L IS | 42.3 – 846mm | 51.8 – 1036mm | f/1.6 | 72mm | LANC |
| Canon 16x Manual | 43.1 – 689.6mm | 52.8 – 844.8mm | f/1.6 | 72mm | yes |
| Canon 16x IS II | 43.1 – 689.6mm | 52.8 – 844.8mm | f/1.6 | 72mm | LANC |
| Canon 16x IS | 43.1 – 689.6mm | 52.8 – 844.8mm | f/1.6 | 72mm | LANC |
| Canon 3x Wide | 26.6 – 79.8mm | 32.6 – 97.8mm | f/1.8 | 72mm | LANC |
| Canon 14x Manual | 45.3 – 634mm | 55.5 – 777mm | f/1.6 | 72mm | no |
| Fujinon 14x conv. | 44.1 – 618mm | 54.1 – 758mm | f/1.4 | 62mm | yes |
| Fujinon 12x conv. | 29.8 – 357.6mm | 36.5 – 438mm | f/1.4 | 82mm | yes |
| Canon EOS Photo | f.l. x 7.8 | f.l. x 9.6 | varies | varies | no |
Canon 20x L IS appx $1900 included w/standard XL2 kit
The 20x L IS automatic lens is included in the basic XL2 kit. It is also available for separate purchase. Outwardly it looks similar to (but is a bit larger than) the previous 16x IS II lens. It is backward-compatible with the older XL1 and XL1S. This lens carries Canon’s professional-quality “L” series designation, as it uses flourite elements for superior resolution and color accuracy. This lens also features Canon’s Super Range optical image stabilization of the VAP (vari-angle prism) type. There are two built-in Neutral Density filters, a manual/auto focus switch, and a switch to select either a focus range pre-set or a zoom range pre-set. This switch also functions as a Push-AF button. The 20x L IS is an autofocus lens using free-spinning manual focus and zoom rings without stops on an un-marked barrel. This lens, like the 16x IS II before it, is primarily intended for “run and gun” handheld use, but its very long 20x zoom range makes it quite useful for tripod-mounted event videography as well.
Canon 16x Manual appx $1750 manual-only XL lens
The 16x manual lens is available separately. Outwardly this lens appears similar to the previous 14x manual lens (which it replaces) in that it has a black barrel marked with focus, zoom and aperature numbers. This lens has a rectangular hood instead of the round one found on the older 14x. However, the primary difference between that lens and this new manual lens (other than the longer focal length of 16x) is a motor for zoom control from the grip, plus automatic iris control and two built-in neutral density filter settings (2.7 and 5). This lens may be operated in full manual mode, or switched to motorized zooming from both the grip handle and the LANC jack with a remote zoom controller (you’ll need a separate remote focus control which connects directly to the lens). There is no automatic focus on this lens; it is manual focus only. It does not have image stabilization. This is not an “internal focus” lens; however, the front element does not rotate, which means clamp-on matte boxes may be used with ease. There’s no iris ring, either; exposure is controlled by the dial on the camera body. The 16x manual lens is of course backward-compatible with the older XL1 and XL1S.
