The best place I know is from OpTex

Mike

The magnification factor is slightly higher than x7, but your figures are close enough. I use telephoto lenses a great deal using the XL1 and EF adapter, and the results can be outstanding.

I can't afford Canon primes: I use a Sigma 400mm f5.6 APO and a Sigma 120-300mm EX f2.8. I haven't owned the latter for very long but so far I like it a lot.

The following points are worth bearing in mind:

1. When using long, heavy lenses, you need to support both the camera and the lens. I use a home-machined long plate.
2. A sturdy tripod / head are mandatory.
3. It takes quite a bit of practise to use such huge lenses - locating the subject in the viewfinder can be difficult (I shoot birds: the moon shouldn't be too troublesome ;-), and panning / pulling focus without introducing camera shake can be tough.
4. Even fairly light winds can shut you down if you cannot shelter your camera.
5. I have had disappointing results with extenders.
6. Buy the best glass you can afford - despite the relatively low resolution of DV, good quality optics allow the XL1 to really shine.
7. Shallow DoF can be an issue.

Cheers

Thanks Duncan

The info you gave me gives me the confidence I need to explore this option.
With the high magnification, I see why a good support system for the lens & camera is important. I'll give it a try ;)

Mike

I've had good luck with the 70 -200 and 1.4x EF extender.

Being able to zoom wide(er) helps to find the subject in the frame. The 70-200 non IS model is roughly the same money as the 300mm IS. Both are good optics.

I've also used my 28-70L with the XL-1 and have come away with amazing macros!

Grab a 10D or a used D60 or D30 and you'll have the makings for a fun still photo kit as well.

Enjoy!

Michael, your pictures are a big help because I was confused by the wording on the canon site about the ef adapter:


"EF Adapter
Item Code: 3162A002

The optional EF Adapter fits onto the XL1S allowing use of Canon EOS EF lenses for quality still imaging."



Why on earth would they use the wording "quality still imaging"?

This implies that when the ef lenses are mounted the camera can only function in the still-capture mode.

I have 3 ef lens: 70-200 L IS, 16-35 L, and the 50 1.4... and being able to port them over to video on the XLxx is a major factor in my decision to go canon (I'm waiting for the XL2 before I buy).

Yeah Roger, that wording threw me for a loop as well.

Great pics by the way, Michael. The close up of the duck in particular looks good.

wind?
 

I also am using a eos adapter and a 70-350 lens. I have noticed that there is a lot of what looks similar to heat waves on windy days. Looking at the stills posted on this thread, they didnt seem to have them. I wondered if it was due to a completly windless day, or if certain lenses pick that up differently. I doesn't make sense that they would, but it's worth asking about others experiences with the extreme telephoto.
thanx,
adam

Mounting Plate for long EF lenses
 

I have a Canon EF 300 2.8 I'd like to play with on the XL1 but have not found a suitable mounting attachment. Is there something on the market that might work?

Mounting Plate
 

This is key to good stable images, but I have not heard of any on the market specifically for the XL1. If I come across any info, I'll drop you a note. Please do the same for me if you come across any news on this.

Thanks

I've had several adapters custom made to support long lenses. I have them machined out of aluminum and usually cost $100 to $200 at a job shop. I may have one of my recent ones available. I had it in the classifieds a long time ago and don't remember if it sold or not. if you're interested, let me know.

Lens Support
 

Thanks, Jeff

Right now I don't need it, but I'll keep you in mind in the future. You may want to contact Robert (address below) to see if he might want to purchase what you have.

Robert Bingham
http://www.gliderking.com

Thanks again for the info...

Jeff, you have email from me. I'm interested!

Focusing with EOS lenses
 

I'm using the canon 100-400 usm lens amongst others to capture red kites in flight.
A large number of times I find that the image I believed to be crisp is in fact just off and therefore not useable. The colour viewfinder does not give enough information to be accurate.

I've read the report on the black n white viewfinder but before I make a plunge for my wallet I wonder if the 5" LCD viewers such as vari-zooms would give me enough visual info (and save me a packet!).

I'll look forward to your thoughts guys.

Ok, dumb question!
I've no access to these things and they are are expensive tryouts hence my query.
So I take it that the large LCD viewers are not suitable for focusing and that I'll have to shell out for the viewfinder.

Cheers anyway

Hi Chris

How long have you been using your set-up? The reason I ask is that it took me a little while to get the hang of focusing long lenses on the XL1. The colour viewfinder isn't great, but I can live with it.

I assume, perhaps incorrectly since it's Wales we are talking about :), that you generally have plenty of light when shooting flying raptors, and can therefore use a fairly high f-stop. Most of my raptor experience is with Marsh Harriers, and I typically shoot in the f15-22 range even on overcast days. This gives a reasonable DoF, and I can generally get well-focused shots. Obviously, it's more difficult if the birds are relatively close and flying towards the camera.

If your shots are just slightly soft, have you considered the possibility that the problem is with the lens rather than your focusing? I have used the Canon 100-400 very little, but my impression was that beyond 300mm it wasn't pin sharp, especially at wider apertures.

As a final thought, have you tried sharpening your shots in post? I find that slightly soft focus can be dealt with pretty well by good NLEs.

Cheers
Duncan

Hi Duncan

I’ve had the XL1 a couple of years but have gone for the long lenses in the last 12 months as they give me so much more freedom.
I must admit I'm having increasing time gaps between filming, because of the numbers of visitors we are see here this year, so I guess you are saying 'more practice' :)

And, yes, we do have our share of sunshine in Wales..

I also have a 400mm 2.8 that has wonderful light gathering capabilities and a huge focus wheel that runs like silk but it’s so difficult to find the target in the first place it’s hardly used so the 100-400 is the tool of choice.
f15 – 22 is my usual range on this lens.

Rarely do the kites fly directly towards me but their flight has no pattern and as both vertical and horizontal distances open and close with such speed one hand is constantly on the focus.
It’s just that final tweak that is eluding me on so many occasions.

Before the XL1 I was using a Panasonic SVHS and its crt viewfinder – hence the yearning for the clarity.

I took your point on there being a softness to the longer lens so I've
been experimenting with FCpro sharpening tools. I’ve now made a few trial runs and have found they help some of those files I’d previously thought borderline. Until your post I’d not looked at them.

Many thanks

Chris

It sounds like you have plenty of experience with the set-up, so you probably have reached the limits of the colour viewfinder. I'm guessing that the 400mm lens you have is high quality given the f2.8, so I doubt it would be soft even wide open.

I must admit that I have been tempted by the B&W viewfinder but, as you say, it's not exactly cheap - in relation to the cost of the camera, at least. If you do take the plunge, I'd be very interested to learn how you get on with it.

I bet the Kites are pretty challenging subjects on the wing - presumably you are able to video them on the deck if you have a feeding station?

Cheers

Duncan

I too would like to own the CRT viewfinder. It is difficult to *know* you are in
exact focus with the regular viewfinder. One trick is to over expose
and use the zebra to help get closer, but at the end of the day you can
still be a tiny bit off on some shots and not know it.

LCDs are not usually dense enough to be much better IMO. Most of
the cheap ones have no more lines of resolution than the color viewfinder.

Funny thing, have you tried to get focus on your old 16X lately?

The last time I used the 16X lens I swear EVERYTHING was out of focus.
Even auto focus didn't (seem to) work.
The deal was I'd become SO spoiled by the
far sharper image provided by Canon 35mm glass and couldn't go back.

Duncan

That Canon 2.8 is a fantastic piece of glass but fixed at the equivalent of 2880mm on the camera it's not that useful when looking for the target
With regard the kites – they stoop and grab at xx mph much like ospreys but without the pause! The only ones to land are those we've rehabilitated but they’ve got large tags and have not taught the others this habit.
I’ve a few short QT movies on my site http://tinyurl.com/2txt3

Jacques

Although the 16x was fine on stationary objects too many times it either went hunting in auto or else in manual that continuous focus wheel was no asset at the range I was operating.
I now stand much further away from the action and with these longer lenses I'm at least able to follow them in some shape!

Thinking hard about that viewfinder - shame, but I've not found anyone in the UK willing to hire one out for a trial run.


Cheers

Canon EF 100-400 Zoom Lense advice
 

Has anyone used the Canon EF 100-400 Zoom lense with their XL1? I checked this out at a local dealer and it appears to give excellent results. However, as it is over £1100 worth of lense, any comments would be appreciated prior to buying. My interst is wildlife and, in particular, eagles, hawks etc..

Chris
I believe that quite a number of XL1 shooters use this lens, and I have never seen any serious adverse comments. I've used it a little, perhaps not enough to form a valid opinion. My impression was that the lens performed very well throughout most of its range, but was a touch soft above 300mm and wide open.

I bought a tele zoom to use with an XL1 a few months ago, and my choice was between the Canon 100-400 and the Sigma 120-300, which is in roughly the same price band. In the end, I went for the Sigma and have been very pleased with the results. The biggest advantage the Sigma has over the Canon is its speed: maximum aperture of f2.8 throughout its focal range, making it great for low light conditions. Optically, it is excellent. Another advantage is the zoom action. The Sigma zooms using a ring, and the length of the lens doesn't change. The Canon's push-pull action felt rather unwieldy, although I'm sure more practised users may not find it so.

Cheers
Duncan

Duncan,

I would agree that the push pull zoom control is a bit of a handful and does push the front weight still further forward.

I am interested in your comment about the speed of this lense and I too thought that it might be better to go for a shorter lense and larger aperture to make up for low light found in the average UK woodland, so that remains a consideration.

I assume you purchased with a Canon mount and used the EF adaptor, so is the aperture control retained on the Sigma lense?

Do you mount the setup on the camera tripod bush, on the lense bush or do you have a dual mounting plate?

Just flicking through Practical Photography for August 04, they reviewed the Sigma 120-300 and commented that the optics are superb, but the price is near to £1700 in UK rather than £1170 for the Canon 100-400.

Regards,

Chris.

Chris

>>I assume you purchased with a Canon mount and used the EF adaptor, so is the aperture control retained on the Sigma lense?

Yes, Canon fit with EF adapter. The aperture control is the wheel on the body of the XL1, not on the lens.

>>Do you mount the setup on the camera tripod bush, on the lense bush or do you have a dual mounting plate?

I use a dual mounting plate. I think this is essential with all heavy telephoto lenses, both for stability and to prevent damage to the lens mounts.

>>Just flicking through Practical Photography for August 04, they reviewed the Sigma 120-300 and commented that the optics are superb, but the price is near to £1700 in UK rather than £1170 for the Canon 100-400.

I could not find any reasonably-priced UK suppliers. I bought on-line from B&H in New York via mail order for $1800.

Cheers
Duncan

Many thanks Duncan, you have been a great help.

Regards,

Chris.

EF Adapter and this lens, what would happen?
 

When I purchased my xl1s used it came with an EF adapter. I would like to use this adapter to get more of a film look to my stuff. I am a student so I am on a small budget so a mini 35 adapter is out of my range. I am trying to use what I already have and in my price range. I have researched using the adapter and lenes, but since I am new to this I'm kinda confused.

What would happen if I used this EF adapter with a 8mm fisheye lens such as this one

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/html/fixed.htm

Since the EF adapter has a 7.2x magnification to the lens, would this make the lens equivalent to a 57mm lens or so?

If this is true would everything still look distorted as fisheye would normaly look on a SLR? or would it apear to be a normal lens becasue only the center of the lens is being used?

Has anyone tried the EF adapter with a fisheye before?

Or would it be better to go with a 12-24mm lens to achieve more of a film look.

Canon EF adaptor problem
 

Hi Guys,

Another question for you wonderfully informed people out there.

I have just bought the adaptor to use canon Ef lenses but seem to be having a problem. I have put on a 80-300mm ef lense but it doesn`t seem to work. The minimum view is as expected (7 x closer to a subject) but if I zoom in, the distance covered is no more than the 16x that comes with the xl1s. Am I missing a setting here ?. The lense is a cheap one that comes with a package of 2 lenses with a canon camera, would this make a difference

Thanks in advance

Andy

Are you saying the image size doesn't change when you zoom? What do you mean by "the distance covered?"

When I zoom in on a subject it is not very much. I was expecting a massive zoom of 300m x7.2 (2100mm), but it only zooms in as much as I can with the canon xl1s lens fitted, nothing more.

It is 40X the size of what the naked eye sees. The stock lens on the XL1 is about 12X what the eye sees.

so if I put the adpator on and put a 300mm lense would that not give hundreds if not thousands of what the eye sees. With an adaptor and a 300mm lense I`m only getting the equivalant of a 16x zoom. What am I doing wrong, or can the adaptor be at fault. I know its working at the botom end of the zoom as everything seems 7 times closer and I cannot get very wide on the lens.

The standard 16X lens is about 88mm. Your EOS EF lens is 300 mm. In optics a mm is always a mm. So, the EF lens gives you 3.4X more magnification than the XL lens. The crop factor gives you 7.2 times additional magnification. If your saying that the subject appears the same size with the EF lens at 300mm as the XL lens at 88mm (maximum zoom) then something is wrong.

EF Adapter with 100mm Macro Lens
 

Still waiting for my adapter to arrive. The information on DV Info Net has clarified some questions on the long lenses but I'm wondering if the 100mm f2.8 macro (which gives 1:1 on 35mm) is usable and useful on the XL1s?
Anyone tried it or can give some comment?

John,

I guess the 100mm Macro lens would work just fine with the EF adaptor. But keep in mind, that a 100 mm lens on the XL1 would be equivalent to something like 700 mm. I wonder what you would shoot with this lens in macro mode. Boy, you could probably have the eye of a midget fill the whole frame! Focusing could be quite a challenge, though.

Let us see the results!!

EF lens test, and support system
 

You may have seen the quick webpage I put up last year with my EF system (35-350 canon lens) It shows the Cavision support system that i had custom made in vancouver that is great!

http://www.digitalcrossing.ca/ef-1.htm

I'm off to Africa for a shoot next week, so i will redo these lens test, and create a better page for people to look

If you need a email address for Cavison, let me know.

Auto function EF Adaptor
 

I have searched all 19 pages of Canon XL1s Watchdog/lenses and optics and cannot find the answer. I hope someone can HELP.

I have a Canon XL1s and would like to fit a Sigma 120-300mm
f2.8 EX HSM Canon fit lens via a EF/XL adaptor.

My questions are:
Will the auto functions still operate, ie: auto focus,auto exposure, zoom from the camera controls.
If these functions do not operate is there any point in purchasing an auto lens.
Can anyone recomend a better & cheaper setup.
I must have f2.8 and 300mm. I will be using it for wildlife, often
in low light.
PS. I know all the problems with stability and depth of field.

Many thanks.

Hello Henry,
There are lots of threads here dealing with the EF adapter, located via the Search button (above).

Yes Ken, I have looked at many hundreds of threads but I
still cannot find the answers to my questions.

The lens will not auto focus, it will need to be manually zoomed by the camera operators hand and the aperture may (or may not) be able to be adjusted manually via the XL1 aperture dial. Sigma does not purchase chips for their lenses from Canon (unlike Tamron and Tokina) and compatibility and functionality issues may arise with the Sigma lens.

EF adapter tests w/XL1-S
 

I ran some tests using the EF adapter on my XL1s using a variety of eos lenses. The "zoom" images are using the 16Xmanual lens, fully in and out, which is 52mm and 844mm respectively. All pics were taken from the same spot. The pictures are unretouched other than de-interlace in photoshop. I felt the image clarity was fine, given there was a lot of atmospheric influence that afternoon. The longer lengths were very difficult to fix focus. Very shallow relative DOF and just touching the focus ring would blur the image.

http://www.wavecam.com/images/lenstest/

Basically, because of the huge (7.8X ?) magnification factor, the interchangeable lenses are not a practical feature of the XL, except for extreme telephoto use. Beyond 200mm, the system was too unstable to get a good image panning or tilting.

There is at least one other company making a long lens support for the XL1. I'm pretty sure it is Kirk photo.