About the focus preset speed

[Chris Hurd]

Elsewhere on the web, at another message board, somebody asked about the speed of the focus preset function on the XL H1. It's a good question, so I thought I'd bring it up here for the benefit of our own folks who may be wondering.

The focus preset speed on the XL H1 was brought over from the XL2; it's an identical operation. But if you're not familiar with the XL2, then the focus preset speed might take you by surprise, because no matter what speed you set it to, it's always fast.

Basically you have a menu option to set the speed of the focus preset function... that is, how fast the stock 20x HD lens will perform a programmable, repeatable rack focus move. The menu choices are L, M, and H for low, medium and high speed. However a more accurate way to describe these speeds is fast, faster and fastest. The "low speed" setting is very high, and there's not that much discernible difference between the three speeds. They're each pretty fast. The high setting is just a bit faster is all.

If you're relatively new to the XL H1, and you set the focus speed to "L" but get "fast" as a result, well, nothing is wrong really; except that Canon has a different idea than you do about what the focus preset "low speed" should be.

[Barlow Elton]

Thanks Chris. Now I understand, yet I'm still puzzled. I remember seeing a much slower focus transition effect with the FX1. I can't believe how fast that focus preset actually pulls focus. Sheesh, it's pretty ridiculous, IMHO.

[Chris Hurd]

Originally Posted by Barlow Elton

I remember seeing a much slower focus transition effect with the FX1.

No doubt that you did, Barlow... and I think that what you saw is perhaps best described as the significant difference between Canon and Sony's definitions of slow. It's a pretty fast "low-speed" on the Canon!