Surely, I haven't asked a question that no-one knows the answer to!

Gareth

Well, the EF adapter is used primarily for extreme telephoto applications... see http://www.dvinfo.net/canon/articles/article58.php#ceos.

The 100mm macro does 1:1 on 35mm film. This means a 5mm line would be 5mm long on the negative. Enlarge the negative 4X to make a 4x6 inch print and the 5mm line is now 20mm in length.

The magnification factor of the XL1 chip is 7.2X The CCD in the XL1 is approximately 7.2 times smaller (depending on how you measure the chip, length, width, diag.)

The CCD on the XL1 is approximately 5mm in length. The 100macro should be able to fill the frame with your 5mm object. The final size will depend on the size screen the video is displayed on.

Gareth, If my math is correct that is about 1/5 of an inch. I use the standard 16 II with the 1.6x extender and 1, 2, 3, close up diopters for videoing insects. I can get an ant to fill the screen and the color and resolution is beautiful. Bob

Thanks everyone.

I used my setup for the sequence in the end and got some very good results. The subject was a possum shrimp.

Bob, for future reference what make diopters do you use and what are the differences with 1, 2 & 3?

Cheers

Gareth

For a low cost alternative, try a "closeup lens set" such as soffered by Tiffen, Hoya, etc. on the stanard lens. It might meet your needs. You will need a 72mm size. A set with a +1, +2, and +3 are commonly available for ~US$75 or so.
Canon and Century also offer the close-up adapters (called diopters), no doubt much higher optical quality, and a higher price as well.

Canon and Nikon make several two element diopters that are higher quality. They come in two different strengths. Canons end in D and Nikon's end in T. The corners are not as out of focus and overall noticeably sharper.

Thanks Don & Jeff.

I'm interested in the Canon Close Up Adapters (Diopters) but can't seem to find any UK based website that does them.

Any suggestions from your side of the water?

Gareth

B & H Photo & Video is very experienced in overseas shipments etc. They would be my first choice.

The EF Adaptor...
 

I use the EF adaptor extensively with my XL1s. I just wish that I did not have to loose the AF, Zoom, etc.

I understand that there was an older model of the EF Adaptor that was really powerful and it gave you choices.

IOWs, one could go manual, semi auto or completely auto.

Can anyone verify this? And if so... can they still be bought?

While I like the Manual control, I also like configuring my own customized settings

With the XL1s:
I use the Canon 100mm f/2.8 EF USM Macro Lens with the EF Adapter.

I like what I capture. Soft on the edges though.

I also like the MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro Photo.

What I do not understand is why Canon (has stopped) or does not produce an EF Adapter for the EOS lenses that does not kill the automatic functions of the Camcorder and the lens.

After all this is an extensive and expanding market and these lenses are not inexpensive!!! We are paying for features we cannot use.

With the GL1:

I use the Century Optics 4x and 7x diopters. Seperately and mounted on each other in either configuration.

BTW, if you contact Canon they will send you a booklet called "EF Lenses for EOS Cameras."

It offers really good basic technical feedback on each lens in the EOS Collection.

I am very pleased with the results I get with the 100mm macro lens too.

For other wildlife applications I find the 28-135 lens very good and I also use the 100-400 lens.

I posted a thread earlier on in the year about the 100-400 for a trip out to the Masai Mara, Kenya. I was extremely pleased with my footage and because of all the advice people gave I was aware of the many problems I could/would encounter using this lens and I did encounter them but when the conditions were right the results were stunning!

Century seems to be the favourite choice of most experienced people re close up adapters.

What size subjects do you use the 4x and 7x for Virginia and when using those are you using the standard 16x lens or the full manual one?

Gareth Trezise

I think that was an adapter for the XL1 series predecessors (L1, L2). They were Hi8mm and had interchangeable lenses too. None of the optical accessories are interchangeable.

Gareth,

I am assuming that you are using Canon Lenses... However, since many Videographers use several different brands: Can you possible specify exactly what brand/model equipment you are using when referring to it? Thanks.

Century is the favorite of most simply because to my personal experience they are responsive, they give you clear and professional answers. No matter whom you speak to in the company.

They are also a Division of Schneider Optics.

I use the Century Optics 4X & 7X with the GL1. The Canon GL1 does not have exchangeable lens capabilities. It comes with an on camera F/1.6-2.9, 20x power zoom, 4.2-84mm.

Because these Diopters are essentially lens attachments one does not loose any of the features of the lens and camcorder and one can deploy any of its setting combinations.

I use it for Micro Biology and Vegetation in combination with other Cams and lenses.

I also work with telephoto and wide-angle lenses for larger wildlife and scapes.

Thanks.

Apologies, you assume correct though. I am referring to Canon Lenses.

G

No apologies required... Thanks for sharing, Gareth.

VB

EF Lens Adapter...new focal length
 

I'm considering purchasing the EF Lens adapter, along with the EF 17-40 mm f/4L USM lens (ultra-wide zoom). I understand that the focal length will increase 7.2X. Won't that affect the degree of wide angle at the most open position, originally 104 degrees, decreasing the width of view?

Thanks,

Jeffrey

you're definitely not gonna be able to shoot wide- but I did get really nice results with a 50 mm- ...the EF adapter and a decent EOS lens makes for absolutely sharp video- you're in for a treat!

Widest angle recommendation...3X?
 

What is the widest angle lens possible with the XL1s, the 3x wide angle video lens?

Jeffrey

The 3x lens is the widest lens available. If you want wider you can go with a fisheye or a Century Opticswide angle adapter.

Keep in mind that the 7.2x focal length change is an approximation based on relative field of view. Just as the 5.5 mm wide position of the standard lens roughly corresponds to a ~40 mm lens on a 35 mm still camera - the 7.2 factor.

When you move the 35 mm still lens to the XL1 you are using the lens on a much smaller image sensor (nominal 1/3" CCD rather than a ~1"x1.5"" frame of film, thus the apparent telephoto (smaller field of view) effect.

Thanks for feedback...
 

Thanks for the great feedback. For now, I'll try the 3x wide angle.

EOS lenses: conversion factor for close focusing distance?
 

Hi there-

I understand that using eos lenses on the XL1s multiplies the focal length by a factor of 7.2. I'm shopping EOS lenses and I'm wondering if there's a conversion factor (or a guesstimation method) for the closest focusing distance of an EOS lens. I'd also be interested to hear how well focus can be judged through the standard viewfinder. Thanks for your time!

Jeremy

Minimum focus distance will stay the same. Judging focus is difficult for most people using the standard color view finder. Practice with standard view finder helps, but many users switch to a supplementary LCD or CRT monitor to help judge focus.

A minor point: the focal length remains the same, but because the CCD is much smaller than a 35mm film frame, the effect on the field of view is as if the focal length was 7.2x longer.

For close focusing (closer than the standard lens) consider a diopter adapter. High quality models avalable from Canon and Century, low cost "close-up" adapters offered by several filter makers.

Thanks for the help!

XL EF Adaptor vs. mini35
 

are the results and science of theXL EF adaptor combined with 35mm canon
still lens the same as using the mini35 or the augus35 that is now currently in production on this forum

if not, what are the differences?

thanks in advance.

No it is not. The difference is, is that the Canon EF adaptor
increases the focal length of the lens 7.2 times (so the lens
"zooms" in much more and is 7.2 times less wide). Because of
this you are also loosing the DOF (Depth Of Field) characterics
of the 35mm lens.

The mini35 (and Agus35) use a glass inbetween the lens and
the camera to capture the full frame and keep the DOF the same.

cool
 

thanks for clearing that up for me Mr. Lohman. i guess i'll be waiting for a commercial version of the Agus35, i can't wait until someone has a good working model that can be used on the xl1.

Ofcourse there is a commercial version already available: the
mini35. If you want to buy it, it will cost you around $8000
excluding lens(es). Ofcourse it is available in a lot of countries
as a rental unit as well.

Keep in mind that the mini35 or any other unit that will let you
use 35mm lensen will require a very good knowledge of your
camera, shooting experience and knowledge / experience with
35mm lenses. It is much more difficult then a DV lens!!

ouch
 

i think i'll wait on the augus35 to develop into a more reliable tool.

Canon EF (35mm) IS (Image Stabilisation)
 

I have verified with Canon Singapore that NOT all EF lenses with IS function will work with the XL1 EF adaptor. The lens will work as advertised - you have to use manual focusing, the camera controls the aperature. BUT, if you are thinking about using the IS feature, please double check the proposed lens you have in mind with Canon first ....

I know that the 75-300 EF IS does NOT work with XL1 EF adaptor (just the IS function only).

I am now asking Canon for a list of lenses that the EF IS is functional - still waiting.

TS

Just got the last word from Canon Singapore ... NO EF lens with IS function will work on the XL1 with EF adaptor. Be warned.

Canon EF to XL-1 Mount @ http://www.xl1solutions.com
 

hi-

i am curious if anyone has worked with the Canon EF to XL-1 Mount that is on www.xl1solutions.com. aside from my xl1s, i have a d60 and i love the idea of being able to use my ef lenses with the xl1s. i have been turned off by the 7.2x thing with the canon eos adapter, but the product on www.xl1solutions.com says:

"The good news is that you do not get a 7x effect, meaning if you have a 100mm lens it gives you 700mm. This adaptor is only 2x or 1.5x, all depends the lens, and therefore a 100mm lens is a 200mm lens."

can someone confirm this? has anyone worked with it? i have done searches on the forums, but i have found only minimal conversation on this product in only one thread... and there seemed to be some argument in the validity of the manufactuers claim.

thank you for any insight.
cheers.
-adam

Adam, do a search here and you'll find several threads discussing the adapter. This thread will get you started, but you might just want to skip to page 4 and 5. The bottom line is the adapter does not work as many had hoped.

thanks jeff
 

thanks for your response. this was the thread that i mentioned in my post. i had the feeling from the lack of discussion after the axe fell (especially that from the manufacturer) that this was the case.

well...as i have a d60 already and some ef lenses, i may purchase this adapter and quickly test it to see for myself...and if it does not work right, i will send it back. if i do this, i will post images and my experience with the unit.

thanks again jeff. nice wildlife photos by the way. i love the armadillo shot.

Thanks. Be careful and check the return policy of XL1 Solutions. Some members said they could not get a refund.

I have been considering the ef adapter and eos lens options for a documentary out in Wyoming. And the tests you posted Michael, are exactly what I needed to see to make up my mind. There doesn't seem to be a better bang for your buck way for wildlife video on the xl1! Thanks for taking the time to post.

Using EF Lens
 

I have an XL1 video camera & I'd like to buy a 300mm EF lens coupled with my EF lens adapter to shoot distant objects like the full moon.

I was told that the adapter would make the 300mm into a super telephoto, approx. 2100mm because of the conversion from a SLR lens to a video lens.

I also have a 1.6X adapter, so would that give me a 3360mm result???

Thanks for your insight into this. If you've had success, what EF lens would you suggest I look at buying? If you've had problems with this set-up, what should I be concerned about?

Many Thanks!
Mike

EF Adaptor - where to buy in UK
 

Does anybody know where I can buy an EF adaptor for the XL1S in the UK. Have tried various sercahes but just keep coming back with details on the actual camera.

Thanks