Took this lens out to the local surf beach to see how it would go.
Test footage: http://vimeo.com/646232

Photo of lens: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/attachment.php?attachmentid=5953&d=1201401436

Wow! - loved it.

I'm dying to know if you think the LEX gives you a better image in this situation? - how do you cope with manual focus?

I've got the same setup and I'm wondering if I'm better trying to catch the surfers on auto or break out the whole rig and hope I get some in-focus footage.

Were you straight in front on the beach or on an angle to track them coming in?

nothing better than a good wave

Jesus H Christ! That setup is massive. Aren't you afraid the weight of the lens is going to damage the lex. You setup looks like a flame thrower.

I'm going to check the video now.

Wow! - loved it.

I'm dying to know if you think the LEX gives you a better image in this situation? - how do you cope with manual focus?

Were you straight in front on the beach or on an angle to track them coming in?

It's the first time I've video'd surfing, so I don't know what is best or easiest. I imagine with just the XHA1 on auto you could get some unwanted focus searching behaviours on closer waves etc?
I found the manual focus reasonably easy as the distance between surfer and camera changes very slowly.

I was standing straight on to the beach.

Jesus H Christ! That setup is massive. Aren't you afraid the weight of the lens is going to damage the lex. You setup looks like a flame thrower.

A mate said it looked like some sort of sniper rifle.
Yeah, I am concerned with the weight hanging off the front like that. I've been doing very gentle slow movements.

if your rails were just a bit longer you could add a support under the lens - I don't know how that would affect focusing but some of the longer lenses have a mount built in

That's why I opted for longer rails