Patrick,

You have to do the rebate when you purchase the whole standard kit, so you have to buy the body of the cam with the 20X lens and the rebate lens are on top of that. Yes, you would have to purchase it from the same vendor, otherwise you wouldn't get the rebate.

Lucinda

Lucinda, Why do you say you would have to purchase it from the same vendor, otherwise you wouldn't get the rebate? Did someone tell you this? It certainly isn't in the text of the rebate form. Are you guessing or speculating?

The rebate form text indicates that multiple vendors are acceptable because it adds an "s" in parenthesis after the words "receipt", "Dealer", "store name", and "purchase date". This would indicate that multiple "receipts", "Dealers", "store names", and "purchase dates" would be acceptable. Read for yourself:

This request form must be accompanied by the ORIGINAL UPC codes and ORIGINAL serial numbers cut from
product boxes, and a COPY of the sales receipt(s) from Authorized Canon U.S.A. Digital Video Dealer(s) with store name(s) and purchase date(s), digital video model and Canon Lens model, and prices paid, clearly legible to be valid.

Well I guess you could use the rebate from another vendor. Why not ask the vendors? I think that would be the safest thing, since I just assumed the rebate would only apply at the point of purchase. Better to be safe than sorry.

Lucinda

Actually the rebate form is available directly from Canon at XL2 Rebate Form.

The only vendor requirement is that they be an Authorized Canon Dealer, and that they provide a legible receipt with the required info on it to satisfy the rebate stipulations.

So...rather than speculation and assumptions, I was hoping to hear from someone who tried to purchase from two different vendors or did buy from different vendors and applied for the rebate.

The focus should stay (even while zooming). But if you mark the focus ring position, change focus and then return to the marked position, the focus point will most likely have shifted. This is because the focus is not just related to the position of the focus ring, but also to the speed at which the ring is turned.

Richard

Dang! They're givin' out rebates? I want me one!

Richard pretty much hit it. Focus drift, meaning that if you set the mark, the electro focus on the 20x, in my experience, will drift away from the focus mark that you have set.

Thanks Richard and Mark....that makes sense. It seems like a nice all around lens tho'. Yes, the rebate is tempting. It's for both the 3x wide angle and the 16x servo lens.

20X Stock zoom lens quality
 

Hi
Even with Panasonic next hit HVX 200 coming, I`m considering the purchase of the XL2.
Main use will be for indie feature films, tv commercials, musical video clips and documentaries.
I`m aware of some operacional problems regarding the 20X Stock zoom lens, but would like to know about its optical qualities:
Does It keep the contrast, color saturation and resolution along all the focal distances of the zoom?
Is there any issue with the focus along the zoom (collimation problem)?
Thank you

Ronger

It is an EXCELLENT lens. It looks amazing for close-ups and great in general. The only issue, as with almost all pro-sumer cams, is that it may not go wide enough for some shots. I highly recommend a Century OPtics adapter or the 3X Canon Wide.


ash =o)

Thank you Ash
Anyone else?
rON

The Canon 3x is a must have.

The 20x is tack sharp, but you may want to consider getting the 16x manual lens for what you are shooting.

Both lenses are excellent and I own both, but I find that I use the 16x almost all of the time.

Thank you
But no opinion on each characteristic of the 20X zoom lens?
Best
Ron

The clairty and reach of the 20x is superb. The manual focus is a little tricky to get the hang of, but the zoom is as fast as you need it or as slow a syou need it, and the oppertunity to selet a focus mark, rack focus, and then, with the push of a button, snap back to your original focus point is a huge advantage.

the 16x has amazing rack focus (although there is noticible lens breathing), and the glass quality seems slightly higher producing a slightly softer, more cinematic image. Granted, the camer ais so good anyway that the 20X lens looks amazing.

I have the 20X over the 16x simply because it's cheaper, longer reach, slightly shallower DOF and pre-programmed snap focus. If money werent an object, I would own both, but it's a better ivnestment to get the cam with it's prime lens and add a 16 later. The 20x will have a lot of resale value.

I own both but I mainly do handhels and use th 20X most the time. 16X is great for setting up shots, not so much capturing a moment IMHO. It does take some skill to master the 20X because the manual controls are DIGITAL...



ash =o)