Support for big lenses
 

I want to use Canon's still camera lens on my XL-1s. Canon recommends support for lens that weigh over 3 lbs. However they weren't any help on how to provide this support.
Has anyone seen this done? It seems like the support is going to have to come from the tripod head so you'll still be able to pan and tilt easily.
Thanks
Bugman

The larger Canon EOS lenses have their own tripod mounting points... the XL1 body just hangs off the back of the lens.

On the Watchdog, go to "Image Gallery" and choose "Promo Photos from Canon Italia." See the bottom image on that page... that's what I'm talking about.

But Chris the XL weighs at least 3 lbs and that weight would now be unsupported on the other side of the camera /lens joint.
Bugman

Those EOS lens mounts are built to take the weight of the camera. Somewhere around here I have photos from the Canon USA booth at NAB '99 showing two XL1's set up with 400mm and 600mm EOS lenses in this fashion -- I'll try to dig 'em out and post them for you.

Speaking of lenes, I just watched "Swordfish" on DVD and, in one clip (FBI snooping on John Travolta), they had a XL1 with a HUGE lens attached to it. Anybody know what it is? BTW it seems like every movie that has a DV camera in it uses the XL1. Must be the cool looks!

Chris
Sorry it's taken so long to respond, my life wasn't my own last week, at least not for many play activities.

When you say the mounts are designed to support a camera, are you talking still or video?

The directions (I think pg 6) for the XL to EOS Adapter that allows you to put EOS format lenses on XL's says to support lens if over 3.3 lbs. It does say to use the len's support if it has one, but refering back to my original question - the XL is at least that heavy (3.3lbs) on the other side of the camera/lens joint?

I'm still learning the pros and cons of EOS type lens on the XL. Yes XL's look way cool with big lens. That something was in a promotion or a movie, that doesn't tell us much of anything definite though I don't think?
Thanks
Bugman