I've researched a bunch and heard many similar things but I'm looking for the bottom line. Are the only options for lenses with the Canon XHA1 simply buying an adapter like a $1500 Letus? I almost find it hard to believe Canon or another brand hasn't seen the demand, if there are no other alternatives. Any advice or if I missed a thread that deals with this is much appreciated.

I'm not sure what you're asking, Matt -- the Canon XH series has a fixed, non-interchangeable lens, so the only changes you can make here are to add either a wide-angle adapter, a teleconverter, or a 35mm adapter. Of all these options, a wide-angle adapter is by far the most common, and Canon makes one specifically for the XH series.

Teleconverters and other types of wide-angle adapters such as fish-eye, etc. come from third-party manufacturers such as Schneider / Century Optics. 35mm adapters are specialized items so those are made by third-party manufacturers as well.

In short, there are quite a few different types of attachments that you can add to the front of a Canon XH series camcorder. Hope this helps,

Here are some discussions covering the Canon wide-angle adapter:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/canon-xh-series-hdv-camcorders/80691-field-view-comparisons-without-wa-adapter.html

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/canon-xh-series-hdv-camcorders/76940-more-pics-holding-g1-wa-adapter.html

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/canon-xh-series-hdv-camcorders/80716-macro-comparison-without-wa-adapter.html

I almost find it hard to believe Canon or another brand hasn't seen the demand, if there are no other alternatives.

If you are seeking interchangeable lenses, you need to move up to the XL series.

I guess I'm just curious what options exist in the way of adapters (ie Letus Extreme). Everything is priced at least around $1000. Are there any cheaper alternatives?

Keep in mind that you get what you pay for. Meanwhile please browse our 25mm adapters forum
for more info: Alternative Imaging Methods - The Digital Video Information Network (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/alternative-imaging-methods/) -- hope this helps,

As Chris says, with optics you usually get what you pay for. Good glass is not cheap. Options range from very economical wide angle and fisheye kinds of lenses to high quality optics form Canon and companies like Century. You can find somethat screw on to the filter ring and some that use the bayonet mount.

You pay you money and takes your choices. If you are considering a specific adapter, post a question in the forums, and do some searches on it. There is a good chance someone here has tried it.

I guess I'm just curious what options exist in the way of adapters (ie Letus Extreme). Everything is priced at least around $1000. Are there any cheaper alternatives?

Matt, I have an XHa1a camera and I really like it, but when it came to buying a telephoto, the best thing that I could come up with, in what I'd call good glass, is a Raynox 1.8 tele converter, or whatever you might call it. I got it for a steal, but the going price is $800-$1000. or so. However I love it. I'ts clean as a whistle all the way to the edges. I also purchaced a used Canon wide angle from B&H, and it's good glass too. Hope that might help. Marc.