Chris-

Thanks for the info. I will definately call Verizoom.

-Matt

I recently bought the Century Precision Optics VS-06WA-MXL 0.6x Wide Angle Adapter Lens from B&H for the 16x manual lens thinking I was going to buy the 16x manual lens for my new XL2.

Thing is, I recently got a killer deal for a 14x manual lens that I could not refuse (got it for $500 from a friend of a friend).

So now I don't have the proper WA adapter for the lens. But will it work anyway? The adapter was backorder at B&H so I don't think it has even shipped yet, so I think I could always change it for the clamp-on adapter (VS-06WA-75) if need be, but I'd rather stick with this one if it's possible for a couple reasons.

1) I'm planing to buy the 16x IS II lens as well which will work with the adapter I bought but not with the clamp-on version.

2) It's cheaper. The clamp-on adapter is $50 more.

I thought in theory there should be a way to make this adapter work with the 14x since it is designed for 72mm threading, but I'm not sure if there's something else to take into consideration.

Anybody out there has more info on this? Anybody succesfully used the screw-on VS-06WA-MXL adapter with the 14x?

Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks,


David

hi there...

since canon's site re-architecture, i'm having a hard time finding the 14x manual lens user guide/pamphlet. would someone be so kind as to post a link? better yet, if someone has the pdf, would you mind emailing it to mizer357@yahoo.com?

thank you so much

The 14x is manufactured by Fuji, no? Maybe their website?

hi richard... thanks for replying.

i was referring to the canon 14x xl mount manual lens, the predecessor to the current 16x -- not the fujinon/optex one. the 16x manual lens documentation would probably be ok as well. i'm just looking to learn how to calibrate back focus.

I don't have either of what you requested, but I'm looking at the instructions that came with my Canon 14X. (Thanks, Dylan C.) Also, I believe there's a thread somewhere on here with the information.

BUT, if you don't find the official stuff and want to take my word for it :) here's what the instruction sheet has to say:

9. Flange back adjustment of the lens:

1) Mount the camcorder on a tripod. Select an object 2-3 m away from the lens, or an object about the same distance away from the lens as your subject. (Use a subject with high contrast so it will be easy [to] tell when focus is achieved.
2) Turn the iris ring and fully open the aperture.
3) Turn the zooming ring and zoom all the way into telephoto.
4) Turn the focusing ring and focus on the object.
5) Zoom all the way out to wide angle.
6) Fully release the flange back fixing screw on the lens.
7) Turn the flange back ring until you obtain correct focus.
(The approximate position is where the [shaded upright rectangle] mark on the flange back ring is aligned with "F.B".)
8) Repeat steps 3) to7) until you obtain the correct focus on both ends.
9) Tighten the flange back fixing screw with the ring set in proper position.

hi lorinda...

thank you for taking the time to put that together. it is sincerely appreciated.

i'm currently on a shoot, and we're using my xl1s as a second camera. i'm using a borrowed 14x manual lens on the xl1s. i'm running into some strange white balance issues on the camera with this particular lens. with setup shooting, i typically set my white balance manually, but this project calls for a lot of running in and out of buildings, so i want to keep the white balance on auto. the problem is, when the camera is set to auto, it leans too heavily toward daylight color temperature, and all the shots indoors are overly warm. i tried manually white balancing indoors and everything looks ok, but the second i kick it back into auto, everything eplodes into reds and oranges. i fitted the camera with both the 3x and 16x auto lenses, and they work fine. i've also owned the 14x and 16x manual lenses in the past and never saw this kind of behavior from my camera.

so my question is, from a troubleshooting perspective, how is the camera determining the color temperature for white balance in the auto setting? is there a sensor in the camera detecting the temperature of light coming through the lens? at this point, i would say it isn't my camera that's causing this problem. i'm probably going to switch over to the 16x auto lens for this shoot, but if anyone has any insight, it would be greatly appreciated.

I have an Xl1s with the 16x auto, the 3x, and and xl2 20x lens.

I have also used the 14x lens.

The white balance definitely comes "Through the Lens". The camera's CCD image is used for the white balance input signal.

I have not experienced this problem with the 14x lens, but I never specifically checked for unusual white balance.

thanks dan. it really is very odd. the lens will manual white balance correctly, but, for some reason, will confuse the auto white balance sensor, wherever thay may be...

i've owned the 14x before, and this never happened with mine. i can get my hands on the 16x manual lens if i really need it, but the whole point of using the 14x this go-around was to ride the fully-manual iris.

maybe the lens needs a trip to canon service?

thanks again.

I'm in the market for a 14x manual lens or a 16x manual lens for my xl1. Which is better? I know the 14 has the iris control on the lens and the 16 has a servo zoom. I shoot a lot of VNR"s, commercials, and sit down interviews. The zoom feature of the 16x would be nice but I can also zoom with the 14 x manually. "Yes I've been shooting a long time." I don't always need a zoom as most of the things I shoot are "static" shots. I do however shoot hotels from time to time and the nice slow zoom does come in handy on these shoots. Can I still do this with the 14x fairly smoothly, or should I just go with the 16x?

Thanks for the help.

Mark Bournes
Shark Video Productions

the really appealing thing about the 14x is the price right now. i've seen second-hand units go for $600, considerably cheaper than a second hand 16x. both lenses are superb, but i'd give the nod to the 16x for it's two built-in NDs, servo zoom and non-telescoping focus ring. the 14x's stepless iris control is really nice, but you could shoot with the 16x and shutter priority mode to get "automatic" stepless aperture changes. not as nice, i know, but the trade-off is worth it, IMHO. also, steady, slow zooms will be next to impossible with the 14x. regardless, i'm a big fan of both lenses, and once you swap out the stock lens for either one of the manual lenses, the stock lens may never see daylight again.

The 14x is a nice crisp lens. To zoom with this by using your hand is at your own peril. It does have the needed check marks for an accessory controller, if one exists.

Excellent tool for rack focusing. Blast zooms are neato if you are doing a cooking show for 20 somethings.

The 14x will be much harder to find, and is available only in used condition, because it was discontinued years ago. The 16x is still current and can be bought brand new.

Thanks for all the help guys, I'm going to go with the 16x.

Mark

I also prefer the Canon MF 16X Servo lens, and really like the added servo zoom and built-in ND filters (although I also use a polarizer filter during lot of shoots).

Another very good option is the Fujinon 14X lens.

For information on lens options, go here:

http://www.dvinfo.net/canon/articles/article58.php

For some graphics charts tests using the EF and MF lenses, go here:

http://www.pixelmonger.com/graphicref194

I love this lens...just purchased one at a good price with the trade-in of my 16x IS....I don't need the IS because I usually use a tripod - but I love the quality of this lens - very sharp, great rack focus capabilities - and the focus is silky smooth. Plus, you can still use the motorized zoom for creeps....

you can still use the motorized zoom for creeps....
I use my Mustang GT for that. ;) For everything else, there's my 14x. Love it.

I use my Mustang GT for that. ;) For everything else, there's my 14x. Love it.


Lorinda is the sweetest, but if you saw her with the Mustang, you would want to stay out of the way!!!!!! :)

I have both the 16x and the 14x manuals, and they both have their places. The big difference is that the 14x has full manual capability, but the 16x has power zoom.

Mike

if you saw her with the Mustang, you would want to stay out of the way!!!!!! :)


...only if you're a creep. ;)

I recently purchased an old 14x manual zoom/focus lens for my XL2, but the lens came without an owner's manual. I've tried to locate the PDF at Canon's support website, but the links aren't there any more. I tried calling Canon support, but I get the run-around without resolution. Can anybody tell me how I can obtain the documentation?

I will look to see if I can find the manual for the 14x lens.

There's a manual for the lens? I was given a 20" square instruction sheet. If that's all you're talking about and you don't find one, I could try to scan it for you (or mail a copy). :)

Lorinda is correct.

The "Manual" for the 14x lens is a poster size sheet of thin paper. It covers many languages.

A friend of mine has a 14x lens. I have arranged with him to bring me the "Manual". I should have it in a few hours.

Then, I will scan, or type in, the English instructions. I will also scan other languages as well, if requested.

Please bear in mind that the only meaningful instructions is the procedure to set "Back Focus".

This is a simple procedure:

1. Set the camera with the 14x lens attached on a tripod.
2. Zoom in and focus (precisely) on a distant object (chose an object with substantial contrast).
3. Zoom out and check the focus.
4. Loosen the "Back Focus" retaining screw.
5. Adjust the "Back Focus" until the image is in perfect focus.
6. Tighten the "Back Focus" retaining screw.

The above is from memory, I do not have the instruction sheet in front of me at this time.

The goal of "Back Focus" is to ensure that the entire zoom range of the lens is in focus.

Thanks for clarifying. The previous owner of the lens said he didn’t have the owner’s manual, referring me to Canon’s support website for “a link to the PDF.”

For a few reasons, I am very interested in having the original back-focus procedure. I’m extremely grateful that you are willing to scan that portion of the instruction sheet. In the same spirit, I promise to quickly create a web page that documents the 14x and includes your scanned image. There should be *some* source for this information on the web! If you want to be acknowledged as the image source, I would be happy to include your reference information on the web page, but only with your permission, of course…

Thank you!

Dear Moderator,

May I have permission to post scanned images of the Canon 14x zoom lens manual?

It is my understanding that the manual is not available on-line from Canon.

Hi,

I don't know if you got the manual yet. But for anyone interested in the future, Lorinda is correct it is a small sheet and in many languages. It is however available online from canon:

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=DownloadDetailAct&fcategoryid=326&modelid=7471

Then just click on top where it says Product/ Software Manuals. All of the manuals are available there, it will pop up a new window with all the PDF's.

I've been to that page on Canon's website; it has PDFs for the 16x and 3x zoom lenses, but *not* the 14x manual zoom lens. I have not been able to find any 14x documentation on Canon's website, as if the product never existed! When I called Canon, they acknowledged removing support, promised to follow-up with somebody "to order a manual", but they never contacted me...

Thanks to Dan, I now have scans of the original. I'm going to post this stuff on my website so others in my situation won't have to go through the same ordeal...

Dear Trenton,

I hope you have everything you need.

Dan

Dan, thanks again! Using your scans, I created PDF and Microsoft Word versions of the instructions. I posted everything on my website for future reference:

http://www.trentonscott.com/canon14x.shtml

Thanks again!

Hi all just bought a second hand 14x Canon lens and I was wondering any one know where I can buy a replacement locking nut for the focus ring as it is missing.
cheers in advance
andy

Andy, I bought my lens into an old Ace hardware in Atlanta and the guy there found a fit for only 25 cents. Bob

Cheers Bob ended up buying the official one for around $14.00! only to find I had to glue it in because when the old one had been lost had screwed the thread it lasted all of 24 Hours :-(
Looks like I'll have a search in the garage for one that will fit in the thread and hopefully stay there.