Looking for a wide angle lens for XL2
 

I want a wide angle lens for my XL2 but I don't really want the X3 lens that canon offers. The reason is that I want to be able to track focus while shooting and with those lenses the focus and zoom can spin forever. Any suggestions?

I find that focusing the 3x lens is quite easy and use it in full manual all the time. The backfocus issues have been sorted out on new lenses too!.

If you need that full manual feel, go for a wide angle adapter on the 16 manual lens, or get the EOS adaptor and stick a Canon wode-angle (although ti will be multiplied) lens on the front.

Is there any vingetting if you put a wide angle adapter on the end of the 16x? I have a friend that does that but I have trouble seeing how it converts to wide angle like that, but if it works, it works.

With the EF adaptor, what would be a good EF lens for wide-angle work?

None, really—the EF adaptor mounts 35mm lenses, whose focal lengths multiply on the XL2 by 7.2. So it's useful mainly for telephoto, the opposite of what Joseph wants.

I use the Century .7 Wide Angle Converter. It's quite good and is a zoom through, so you can leave it on and use it throughout the full range of focal lengths on the 16x. Same for the 20x, but the bayonette is different for each lens, so you can't use one converter for both lenses :~(.

I've been tempted to try modifying C-Mount lenses, but there's a bunch of things that make it a pain in the butt-different backfocus, too small pysical size, parts fabrication. Could be a fun project if I had the time.