Canon 3x wide angle lens

Frederic Segard · November 13th, 2005, 07:47 PM

Wow! Really, only one motor to share the focus and zoom? Interesting! I would imagine that this is to reduce the length of the lens to be as wide as possible?

Kevin Janisch · November 14th, 2005, 01:37 PM

Just had a home steadycam rig built (codydeegan.com plans) and was wondering if any other XL2 users were using steadycams. Any tips? I have the 20x and 3x lens and was planning on using the wideangle for smoother shots, but I know that the auto focus is better on the 20x + the OIS. I will test both and go with what works best (only tested for 5 minutes with 3x and man it looks like footage was taken by a flying camera!), but just wanted some insight. Also, 60i is obviously smoother than 30p and 24p, but output will be to 24p DVD, so has anybody converted to 24p from 60i with good results? Thanks.

Kevin

Mathieu Ghekiere · November 14th, 2005, 01:51 PM

I think the 3x would give you more DOF, no? Then you have a little bit more freedom with the steadycam.
As I don't have the 3x, I can't say if there's much difference.

Jimmy McKenzie · November 14th, 2005, 01:53 PM

Yes to all the above except for one item.
Never use autofocus. Push AF for a quick set, but that's it.
For 24p footage at 16x9 and finished output to ntsc dvd, the xl2 is superb. Just stay smooth....
I use my 3x all the time with great success.

Kevin Janisch · November 14th, 2005, 03:01 PM

Thanks!!!!!!

Jeff McElroy · November 14th, 2005, 05:18 PM

Sorry, I haven't taken the time to thank everyone for their responses.

Michael especialy... your images were superb.

As for Wilma, I live in Punta Gorda and only got the extreme western outer eyewall, so winds were only like 60-80mph. I got 130kt winds last year with hurricane charley, the sunny eye, etc... but it was all shot on my beloved low-end, single ccd camcorder.

If you are curious, you can see my charley would be movie here (halfway down the page, the guy hosting it offers a link):

http://flhurricane.com/cyclone/showf...0&fpart=4&vc=1

The camerawork is absolutly horrendous, fyi.

Zia Basith · December 16th, 2005, 12:48 AM

Hi guys,
I am interested in Canon 3x wideangle lens for my XL2. Has anyone used a Canon 3X wideangle lens? If yes, can you write a review to me and if you have any footage with that lens, can you guys email it to me at zbasith@earthlink.net.
I am shooting with XL2 and am very much interested in the wideangle lens.
I'd really like to see some footage with it please.
Thanks,

Zia

Pete Bauer · December 16th, 2005, 07:22 AM

Zia,

DVinfo's Search has had some troubles since a software upgrade, but you should be able to find many posts, some with links to frame grabs and footage, by either accessing Search from the home page or in some browser software (IE6 for sure) by right clicking Search and opening in a new window. The green-colored link at the bottom of my posts should work as well.

Nothing wrong with people e-mailing each other, but for a request of general interest like this, I always like to encourage people to post here rather than keeping the knowledge to themselves.

The 3x is a fine lens; preliminarily, I've found that despite conventional wisdom that it is a "soft" lens, it stands up pretty well for use at HDV resolution:

http://www.geosynchrony.com/scratchpad.htm

You'll enjoy using it.

Chris Hurd · December 16th, 2005, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zia Basith

can you write a review... and can you guys email it to me

Just to echo what Pete said above, the whole point of a community message board is so that we can all learn from each other as a collective experience. Instead of a private email, please share your input in public, right here, so that everyone may benefit equally. Thanks in advance,

Dave Wowchuk · December 17th, 2005, 11:45 AM

I'm wondering if anyone has had this problem. My lens has been nicely protected in my equipment bag, and the other day I took it out for a shoot and it wouldn't work (no focus, no zoom, manually or with control.) The only thing that happens is a small "16" flashes beside the zoom indicator in the viewfinder. I have picture, but other than that ... dead lens.

If you have any info, I'd appreciate it. BTW, I have always powered the camera off before changing lenses.

Dave Wowchuk

Greg Boston · December 17th, 2005, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Wowchuk

I'm wondering if anyone has had this problem. My lens has been nicely protected in my equipment bag, and the other day I took it out for a shoot and it wouldn't work (no focus, no zoom, manually or with control.) The only thing that happens is a small "16" flashes beside the zoom indicator in the viewfinder. I have picture, but other than that ... dead lens.

If you have any info, I'd appreciate it. BTW, I have always powered the camera off before changing lenses.

Dave Wowchuk

Probably not the answer you want to hear, but a trip to Canon service is likely in order. There have been others that have experienced the same thing. Since the lens uses the same motor for zoom and focus, it's typical that you lose both functions at the same time. I believe this is the first occurrance I've heard of on the 3X.

-gb-

Jamie Baughman · December 17th, 2005, 02:11 PM

Dave,

It's a pretty crazy coincidence, but I just got back from shooting and in the middle of my day my 3x stopped working as well. It has VERY few hours of work time and right in the middle of the day, just stopped. Here's what happened to me:

1) used it all day...no problems.
2) took it out for one of the last shots of the day and when I turned on the camera, I got a "check lens" error.
3) I took off the lens, reseated it and got a picture, but was unable to focus (manual or auto) and was not able to zoom.
4) when I got home, I threw on the 20x and realized that works just fine.

So, camera seems ok. But what is going on with the lens? I don't know. Just thought I'd let you know you weren't alone. If you find anything out, let me know. I'll do the same for you.

Jamie Baughman · December 17th, 2005, 02:20 PM

Well,

I loved my lens until stopped working this morning. There's a post further up the boards on this issue. Before this morning though, it was a great lens. I've found that some of the cons I read about the lens (the soft focus issue listed above included) were just things that I needed to think about while shooting. Just like the camera itself, you need to use it and get to know it. All in all, I was really happy with the images.

Dan Keaton · December 17th, 2005, 03:18 PM

The Canon 3x Wide Angle lens is a great addition to your toolkit.

The issue of "softness" has been addressed above.

I find it very useful. On my most recent shoot, during a Christmas festival concert, it was the only lens that I used. The standard lens would not have been wide enough, and I could zoom in as far as I needed from my fixed position. My movements were restricted due to the nature of the event, nor could I change lenses without missing some of the material. The lens worked great for this event.

Overall, I use this lens at least once in over half of my shoots.

The lens is not "image stabalized", but this is not an issue, you will not miss it in most instances.

In my opinion, this is a good purchase.

Matthew Nayman · December 17th, 2005, 05:31 PM

The same happened to me.

Sounds like a blown lens fuse. Didy ou take it off without powering down the cam? I got mine replaced.

November 14th, 2005, 01:37 PM	#212
Kevin Janisch Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 406	Steadycam with XL2, 3x or 20x? Just had a home steadycam rig built (codydeegan.com plans) and was wondering if any other XL2 users were using steadycams. Any tips? I have the 20x and 3x lens and was planning on using the wideangle for smoother shots, but I know that the auto focus is better on the 20x + the OIS. I will test both and go with what works best (only tested for 5 minutes with 3x and man it looks like footage was taken by a flying camera!), but just wanted some insight. Also, 60i is obviously smoother than 30p and 24p, but output will be to 24p DVD, so has anybody converted to 24p from 60i with good results? Thanks. Kevin

December 16th, 2005, 12:48 AM	#217
Zia Basith New Boot Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 23	Canon 3X wideangle lens question? Hi guys, I am interested in Canon 3x wideangle lens for my XL2. Has anyone used a Canon 3X wideangle lens? If yes, can you write a review to me and if you have any footage with that lens, can you guys email it to me at zbasith@earthlink.net. I am shooting with XL2 and am very much interested in the wideangle lens. I'd really like to see some footage with it please. Thanks, Zia

December 16th, 2005, 07:22 AM	#218
Pete Bauer Wrangler Join Date: May 2003 Location: Eagle River, AK Posts: 4,100	Zia, DVinfo's Search has had some troubles since a software upgrade, but you should be able to find many posts, some with links to frame grabs and footage, by either accessing Search from the home page or in some browser software (IE6 for sure) by right clicking Search and opening in a new window. The green-colored link at the bottom of my posts should work as well. Nothing wrong with people e-mailing each other, but for a request of general interest like this, I always like to encourage people to post here rather than keeping the knowledge to themselves. The 3x is a fine lens; preliminarily, I've found that despite conventional wisdom that it is a "soft" lens, it stands up pretty well for use at HDV resolution: http://www.geosynchrony.com/scratchpad.htm You'll enjoy using it. __________________ Pete Bauer The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. Albert Einstein Trying to solve a DV mystery? You may find the answer behind the SEARCH function ... or be able to join a discussion already in progress!

December 17th, 2005, 11:45 AM	#220
Dave Wowchuk New Boot Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 11	Canon 3x Lens Quit Working!!! I'm wondering if anyone has had this problem. My lens has been nicely protected in my equipment bag, and the other day I took it out for a shoot and it wouldn't work (no focus, no zoom, manually or with control.) The only thing that happens is a small "16" flashes beside the zoom indicator in the viewfinder. I have picture, but other than that ... dead lens. If you have any info, I'd appreciate it. BTW, I have always powered the camera off before changing lenses. Dave Wowchuk

December 17th, 2005, 02:11 PM	#222
Jamie Baughman Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 180	Dave, It's a pretty crazy coincidence, but I just got back from shooting and in the middle of my day my 3x stopped working as well. It has VERY few hours of work time and right in the middle of the day, just stopped. Here's what happened to me: 1) used it all day...no problems. 2) took it out for one of the last shots of the day and when I turned on the camera, I got a "check lens" error. 3) I took off the lens, reseated it and got a picture, but was unable to focus (manual or auto) and was not able to zoom. 4) when I got home, I threw on the 20x and realized that works just fine. So, camera seems ok. But what is going on with the lens? I don't know. Just thought I'd let you know you weren't alone. If you find anything out, let me know. I'll do the same for you. __________________ Jamie Baughman

November 13th, 2005, 07:47 PM	#211
Frederic Segard Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 209	Wow! Really, only one motor to share the focus and zoom? Interesting! I would imagine that this is to reduce the length of the lens to be as wide as possible?

November 14th, 2005, 01:51 PM	#213
Mathieu Ghekiere Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Belgium Posts: 2,195	I think the 3x would give you more DOF, no? Then you have a little bit more freedom with the steadycam. As I don't have the 3x, I can't say if there's much difference.

November 14th, 2005, 01:53 PM	#214
Jimmy McKenzie Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Waterloo Ontario Posts: 721	Yes to all the above except for one item. Never use autofocus. Push AF for a quick set, but that's it. For 24p footage at 16x9 and finished output to ntsc dvd, the xl2 is superb. Just stay smooth.... I use my 3x all the time with great success.

November 14th, 2005, 03:01 PM	#215
Kevin Janisch Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 406	Thanks!!!!!!

November 14th, 2005, 05:18 PM	#216
Jeff McElroy Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 91	Sorry, I haven't taken the time to thank everyone for their responses. Michael especialy... your images were superb. As for Wilma, I live in Punta Gorda and only got the extreme western outer eyewall, so winds were only like 60-80mph. I got 130kt winds last year with hurricane charley, the sunny eye, etc... but it was all shot on my beloved low-end, single ccd camcorder. If you are curious, you can see my charley would be movie here (halfway down the page, the guy hosting it offers a link): http://flhurricane.com/cyclone/showf...0&fpart=4&vc=1 The camerawork is absolutly horrendous, fyi.

December 17th, 2005, 02:20 PM	#223
Jamie Baughman Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 180	Well, I loved my lens until stopped working this morning. There's a post further up the boards on this issue. Before this morning though, it was a great lens. I've found that some of the cons I read about the lens (the soft focus issue listed above included) were just things that I needed to think about while shooting. Just like the camera itself, you need to use it and get to know it. All in all, I was really happy with the images. __________________ Jamie Baughman

December 17th, 2005, 03:18 PM	#224
Dan Keaton Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 5,421	The Canon 3x Wide Angle lens is a great addition to your toolkit. The issue of "softness" has been addressed above. I find it very useful. On my most recent shoot, during a Christmas festival concert, it was the only lens that I used. The standard lens would not have been wide enough, and I could zoom in as far as I needed from my fixed position. My movements were restricted due to the nature of the event, nor could I change lenses without missing some of the material. The lens worked great for this event. Overall, I use this lens at least once in over half of my shoots. The lens is not "image stabalized", but this is not an issue, you will not miss it in most instances. In my opinion, this is a good purchase. __________________ Dan Keaton Augusta Georgia

December 17th, 2005, 05:31 PM	#225
Matthew Nayman Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 917	The same happened to me. Sounds like a blown lens fuse. Didy ou take it off without powering down the cam? I got mine replaced.