XL1 Stereo Lens
 

Where would I go to find a 3D lens for the XL1? They don't sell it anymore at Canon but there must be some out there for sale on the used market.

Secondly, has anyone ever used one of these lenses and does it work?

Hi Bruce,

The Canon XL 3D lens for the XL1 was never sold to the public, therefore there are no "used" units available for purchase anywhere. The concept was cancelled (due to manufacturing issues) before production ever began and no units were ever shipped. Only three or four working prototypes exist; they are all back in Japan now, locked away in some vault at Canon corporate headquarters and they are definitely unobtainable.

As far as a third-party 3D solution from another manufacturer, I'm unaware of any but perhaps somebody else is. Hope this helps,

Did not use it, but saw results about 3 years ago - a video promo for copiers in 3-D that Canon shot using the XL1 and 3-D lens for the AIIM show in New York. Interesting and effective, but relatively low resolution, probably due to the LCD goggle displays they used. The expected lens price was something like US$8,000 when announced. Not a sweet spot price point - too low for serious lenses, and too high for most hobbiests.

My guess is they figured there would not be much of a market except the adult entertainment, due to lack of suitable display technology, and as Chris notes, there may have been technical issues as well.