16X Manual Lens Questions

John Dimasi · September 26th, 2002, 10:33 AM

Thanks for clearing that up guys

Andrew Petrie · September 26th, 2002, 12:20 PM

My concern with the power zoom capability on the 16x manual, is the speed at which the zoom operates while in manual mode. My gripe about the stock IS II lense is the terribly slow response from both the zoom and focus rings.

How does the 16x manual lense handle? I really want a faster manual zoom / focus solution.

Chris Hurd · September 26th, 2002, 12:27 PM

With the servo switch set to manual and using the rings on the lens barrel, you can perform a snap zoom and/or snap focus as fast as you can twist your wrist.

Barry Goyette · September 26th, 2002, 01:14 PM

Andrew,

I just got the 16x with the option of returning it if I didn't like it....I'm keeping it...largely for the reason you stated...rack zooms and focus shifts are super with this lens. It is a true manual lens with the addition of a nice power zoom. The two stage ND is a nice feature as well.

Barry

Josh Bass · September 27th, 2002, 12:01 AM

I want to add (and I feel I must spread this information like a virus) that if you do buy a zoom controller (at least by Varizoom, doesn't Canon make some as well?) then expect a half-second delay between when you depress the rocker/button and when your zoom actually starts, regardless of zoom speed. This will happen every time, with every manual lens. This is what I was told. Just beware. I myself cannot deal with this, so I'm returning my PG-L.

Sorry if I keep bitching about this, Chris, but I feel people need to know. I try to use the manual lens as often as possible, and keep the ISII around only when someone wants me to have autofocus or IS capabilities, so when I buy something, I have it in mind for use with the manual lens, and if that something doesn't work, then it upsets me.

Chris Hurd · September 27th, 2002, 05:20 AM

It should be clearly understood that the response delay you're complaining about is a function of the lens, not the controller. Personally I think you're returning the wrong item, but that's your business.

Josh Bass · September 27th, 2002, 04:02 PM

I've decided I might as well hold onto it, even though it won't be quite as useful as I'd hoped.

Suggesting sending the manual 16x lens back is blasphemy! That's one of the best investments I've made! What good is my zoom controller if the lens I use it with doesn't stay focused throughout its entire zoom?

Chris Hurd · February 16th, 2003, 10:23 PM

Ken Tanaka describes in detail just about everything you need to know.

See www.dvinfo.net/canon/articles/article82.php

Outstanding job, Ken... anybody got any questions? Post 'em here. Enjoy,

Don Berube · February 17th, 2003, 05:19 AM

Nice article Ken! :)

I use the Manual/ Servo all the time. I grew up on this type of lens, it's what I am most familiar with. I used to shoot a lot of sports - basketball, hockey, skiing, snowboarding - I have no problem shooting handheld with this lens, I guess my past experiences with shooting sports with a manual lens helped me in that regard.

Thank you for the article Ken, very well laid out.

- don

Jason Steussy · May 5th, 2003, 08:22 PM

I got my dandy 16x manual servo lens last month and have been using the lens hood from the standard lens on it. It didn't fit exactly...I had to put a little electrical tape around the rim to give the little sprocket something to sink into, but it worked well enough. Now, I'm auctioning off my original lens and feel obligated to include the lens hood in the auction...so where do I find a nice lens hood for the manual servo lens? Preferably one that actually fits like it should and is still rectangular like the one that is often pictured on the manual lens in catalogs. I haven't had much luck surfing for it so far...did some people get hoods with their 16x manual lenses? Or is everyone just making do?

Chris Hurd · May 5th, 2003, 09:34 PM

The 16x manual lens is supposed to come with its own lens hood. Who did you buy it from? Looks like they owe you a lens hood.

Don Berube · May 5th, 2003, 09:59 PM

Chris is correct. Your 16X manual/ servo lens should have included a lens hood.

Did you buy this new or used? Did it have a serial number?

- don

Jason Steussy · May 5th, 2003, 10:38 PM

Yeah, I bought it used off of ebay. It has a serial number, but I think I've seen some new ones that didn't come with a hood either. Then again, maybe I did lose out. Anyone have any suggestions for where to look for another one?

Bryan Beasleigh · May 5th, 2003, 10:46 PM

www.cavision.com

Bob Deming · May 11th, 2003, 04:26 PM

I have one if you haven't purchased on yet.

September 26th, 2002, 12:20 PM	#32
Andrew Petrie Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 484	Another ? re: 16x Manual My concern with the power zoom capability on the 16x manual, is the speed at which the zoom operates while in manual mode. My gripe about the stock IS II lense is the terribly slow response from both the zoom and focus rings. How does the 16x manual lense handle? I really want a faster manual zoom / focus solution. __________________ Andrew \| Canon XL1s, ME66, Vinten Vision 3, GlideCam V16 (for sale!)

September 26th, 2002, 12:27 PM	#33
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	With the servo switch set to manual and using the rings on the lens barrel, you can perform a snap zoom and/or snap focus as fast as you can twist your wrist. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

September 27th, 2002, 12:01 AM	#35
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	I want to add (and I feel I must spread this information like a virus) that if you do buy a zoom controller (at least by Varizoom, doesn't Canon make some as well?) then expect a half-second delay between when you depress the rocker/button and when your zoom actually starts, regardless of zoom speed. This will happen every time, with every manual lens. This is what I was told. Just beware. I myself cannot deal with this, so I'm returning my PG-L. Sorry if I keep bitching about this, Chris, but I feel people need to know. I try to use the manual lens as often as possible, and keep the ISII around only when someone wants me to have autofocus or IS capabilities, so when I buy something, I have it in mind for use with the manual lens, and if that something doesn't work, then it upsets me. __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

September 27th, 2002, 05:20 AM	#36
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	It should be clearly understood that the response delay you're complaining about is a function of the lens, not the controller. Personally I think you're returning the wrong item, but that's your business. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

September 27th, 2002, 04:02 PM	#37
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	I've decided I might as well hold onto it, even though it won't be quite as useful as I'd hoped. Suggesting sending the manual 16x lens back is blasphemy! That's one of the best investments I've made! What good is my zoom controller if the lens I use it with doesn't stay focused throughout its entire zoom? __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

September 26th, 2002, 10:33 AM	#31
John Dimasi Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 51	Thanks for clearing that up guys

September 26th, 2002, 01:14 PM	#34
Barry Goyette Trustee Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: San Luis Obispo CA Posts: 1,195	Andrew, I just got the 16x with the option of returning it if I didn't like it....I'm keeping it...largely for the reason you stated...rack zooms and focus shifts are super with this lens. It is a true manual lens with the addition of a nice power zoom. The two stage ND is a nice feature as well. Barry

February 16th, 2003, 10:23 PM	#38
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	New on the Watchdog: 16x Manual Servo Zoom Lens Report Ken Tanaka describes in detail just about everything you need to know. See www.dvinfo.net/canon/articles/article82.php Outstanding job, Ken... anybody got any questions? Post 'em here. Enjoy, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

February 17th, 2003, 05:19 AM	#39
Don Berube Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Boston, MA (travel frequently) Posts: 837	Nice article Ken! :) I use the Manual/ Servo all the time. I grew up on this type of lens, it's what I am most familiar with. I used to shoot a lot of sports - basketball, hockey, skiing, snowboarding - I have no problem shooting handheld with this lens, I guess my past experiences with shooting sports with a manual lens helped me in that regard. Thank you for the article Ken, very well laid out. - don __________________ DONALD BERUBE - noisybrain. Productions, LLC Director Of Photography/ Producer/ Consultant http://noisybrain.com/donbio.html CREATE and NETWORK with http://www.bosfcpug.org and also http://fcpugnetwork.org

May 5th, 2003, 08:22 PM	#40
Jason Steussy New Boot Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ames, IA Posts: 9	Lens hoods for 16x manual servo lens? I got my dandy 16x manual servo lens last month and have been using the lens hood from the standard lens on it. It didn't fit exactly...I had to put a little electrical tape around the rim to give the little sprocket something to sink into, but it worked well enough. Now, I'm auctioning off my original lens and feel obligated to include the lens hood in the auction...so where do I find a nice lens hood for the manual servo lens? Preferably one that actually fits like it should and is still rectangular like the one that is often pictured on the manual lens in catalogs. I haven't had much luck surfing for it so far...did some people get hoods with their 16x manual lenses? Or is everyone just making do?

May 5th, 2003, 09:34 PM	#41
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	The 16x manual lens is supposed to come with its own lens hood. Who did you buy it from? Looks like they owe you a lens hood. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

May 5th, 2003, 09:59 PM	#42
Don Berube Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Boston, MA (travel frequently) Posts: 837	Chris is correct. Your 16X manual/ servo lens should have included a lens hood. Did you buy this new or used? Did it have a serial number? - don __________________ DONALD BERUBE - noisybrain. Productions, LLC Director Of Photography/ Producer/ Consultant http://noisybrain.com/donbio.html CREATE and NETWORK with http://www.bosfcpug.org and also http://fcpugnetwork.org

May 5th, 2003, 10:38 PM	#43
Jason Steussy New Boot Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ames, IA Posts: 9	Yeah, I bought it used off of ebay. It has a serial number, but I think I've seen some new ones that didn't come with a hood either. Then again, maybe I did lose out. Anyone have any suggestions for where to look for another one?

May 5th, 2003, 10:46 PM	#44
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	www.cavision.com

May 11th, 2003, 04:26 PM	#45
Bob Deming Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Tucson, Arizona USA Posts: 93	Lens Hood I have one if you haven't purchased on yet. __________________ Bob Deming evc@starband.net