XL-H1 and 3x Zoom XL 3.4-10.2mm problem
 

Hi XL-H1 users,
I have big problems with the use of the Canon 3x Zoom XL 3.4-10.2mm on my H1. Canon tells us that the old SD lenses of the XL-2 will work on the H1 although Canon dissuades from using SD-lenses in HD-mode because the resolution would not be adequate for HD.
Nevertheless I tested the 3x zoom with very good optical results. But after 1 hour operating of my brand new lens, the communication between the lens and the camera stopped suddenly. The lens did´nt react at all and behaved completely uncontrolled. That means after switching the camera on, the lens reacted for just 3 seconds to the comands of the camera, then freezed and did crazy things like closing or opening iris, or zooming in, or changing focus all by itself. In the end the lens allways stopped in some configuration and could´nt be managed by the camera, whether in automatic mode or manual mode.
So I did send the lens back and got a new one. This time the lens worked about two days and then the same malfunction started. I ordered a third one when the second lens suddenly started working again - for half a day.
By the way, the default 20x zoom HD-lens works fine, also the EF-adapter.

Did somebody experience the same bizarre behaviour of this wide angle lens in combination with the XL-H1?

Any help is welcome since I need the wide angle lens urgently for a production journey beginning end of the week.

Thanks a lot for any advice!!

Regards
Roman Teufel

http://www.rtv-studio.de

If three identical lenses are each giving the same problem, then I can't help but think that the issue might be on the camera side, not the lens side. Perhaps there is a bad electrical contact on the lens mount? Have you had the H1 body checked out by Canon service?

3x Zoom XL 3.4-10.2mm problem
 

Hi Chris,
thanks for reply. The fact is, that the camera communicates to the default 20x zoom fully normal and even the EF-adapter reacts normal to the iris control. I only tested 2 wide angle lenses - with the same malfunction. The third lens is in delivery. The camera body isn´t checked by canon since I need it for the early production journey to the sahara desert.
The strange thing is the fact, that the lens stopped working, then started again to communicate - and stopped function again. I cleaned the contacts without success.
Regards
Roman

Roman- sounds like a classic firmware malfunction. If it was simply a contact problem , I doubt if the lens would continue hunting. You probably need to dig deeper into the canon customer support to see if this is indeed so. It sounds familiar to some 3rd party lens firmware problems on some of canons' dslrs, which indeed are firmware issues. Course , it's just a guess. Kurth

3x Wide angle lens problem
 

Roman,
I am sorry that I do not have a solution to your problem. My reply is to let you know I share in your misery, I have the same problem but on a xl-2 body.This is a huge problem for me this is the lens I tend to use about 90%
of the time for what I do. I am on lens number 2 in as many months but my lens acts dead, no focus,zoom or the ability to adjust the iris and like you my 20x lens works fine. I have contacted canon on this and they said they have not heard of this before and suggested I send my body in with the lens, not an option I have several shoots in the upcoming weeks.

Turnaround from Canon Service will not take that long. Be sure to request a loaner camera to use in the interim.

I've heard reports that the 3x is way too soft for the H1. I'd love to see some actual footage, though.

What does everyone think of the .8x HD adapter from Century?

http://www.centuryoptics.com/product..._wac/index.htm

New Canon wide
 

Canon will (thats the plan anyway) come with a new wide for the XL H1 third or fourth qtr this year. The Century's wide is no good for x20 stock lens according to previous thread.

Yeah, but how much are these lenses going to cost?

Fujinon's wide-angle lens for the HD100 is $12,000.

Ask the Canon God...
 

...and I don't know. But if you compare the price of the SD 3X lens to camera - we maybe can expect something similar (or?).

Anyway I have bought the RedEye Wide adapter (0.7x 72mm @ £175). Fairly good, really, really lightweight (and thats a great benefit), a little bit to heavy barrel distortion for .7 adapter (don't use in narrow interiors). But even so, my rating 3+ out of 5.

Have a look at www.collinscraft.com

I'm going to check it out. Thanks for the info.

Rob

I also use the Red Eye 0.7X 72mm on the XL SD cameras and have been very satisfied with results (similar to my larger Optex 0.7X), but only use it combined with the Canon 16X Manual Servo lens (with back-focus adjustment) and almost entirely for outdoor shooting.

I'm not sure if Jonas is using the 16X Manual SD lens or the 20X AF HDV lens on his H1, but I would expect it would be difficult to tell the difference between XL-H1 footage shot on the Red Eye + 16 MF and the 3X lens. At least the 16X Manual + adapter allows for critical back-focus adjustment.

I'm hoping that the wide angle lens that Canon are launching later this year is a Manual Servo lens, but I have a sneaky feeling it will be a HD version of the old SD 3X lens. I hope not! If it is a 3X autofocus (with IS this time round?) I hope that it at least has some way of manually adjusting back-focus.

I actually would prefer a crisp prime wide angle lens to be launched by Canon, rather than a zoom.

On another note...I wonder if Canon will offer a body-only package for the XL-H1 once the wide angle lens is released.

I was recently at an H1 training seminar and the Canon rep said that they were working on both the 3x and 16x manual. He wasn't sure exactly when they were slated for release, but it would probably be Q3 or Q4 this year. He wouldn't go near the pricing question with a ten foot pole.

But he sure made a point of saying that manufacturing a wide-angle HD quality lens is difficult (read expensive) and also pointing out Fujinon's prices for the HD100 wide-angle lens.