Can you fit the XL1 lenses to a 35mm SLR camera at DVinfo.net

Nick Glenister · July 31st, 2002, 07:19 AM

Hi,

I have an XL1 and i'm also a keen photographer. I have read in many places that it is possible to fix camera lenses to the XL1 but after several conversations with various people i'm still a little confused.

I understand (and if i'm wrong please correct me) that in order to put camera lenses onto the XL1 i'll need an adapter (the EF adapter i believe) and that this will allow me to fit any camera lens that bears the inscription USM onto my XL1.

At this point i was quite excited as i was looking to get a new camera and was therefore heading towards a Canon EOS. I was also hoping that since you can fit camera lenses to the XL1 it was possible to fit XL1 lenses to a standard SLR camera (one of the canon EOS range for example).

This is still my big unanswered question... can you fit the XL1 lenses to ANY 35mm SLR camera? If so how?

Regards

Nick

Don Palomaki · July 31st, 2002, 09:50 AM

I've not heard of any adapter, but you probably would not want to use a XL1 lens (or most other similar size video lenses) on a still camera.

The XL1 lenses are designed for the 1/3" CCD of the camcorder, and designed for the resolution (pixel spacing) of the CCD. They are not designed to cover the much larger imaging size of the film in a 35mm film camera, (by a factor of 7.2x diagonal or so) and may not produce the image resolution supported by film.

35mm film lenses work on video mainly because the lens is designed for a much higher resolution and larger imaging area, and the sweet spot in the center of the image formed by lens is much larger than the CCD.

Also, the standard XL1 lens is fully automatic and servo coupled. Any adapter would have to support the reqwuired handshaking and control functions for the lens. A significant technical undertaking.

Nick Glenister · July 31st, 2002, 10:10 AM

hmmm ok.

I thought it would be a really good lens to use on a camera but perhaps not after all. I guess what i really thinking was why spend X amount of pounds on a camera lens if i can use the XL1 lens. A nice i idea maybe but not as practical as it sounds.

Thanks for the info.

Nick

Jeff Donald · July 31st, 2002, 11:09 AM

The XL1 lenses would vignette (not cover the 36mm x 24 mm film size). The standard lens also would cover a mostly wide angle field of view (5.5mm to 88mm zoom). The XL1 requires the Canon EF adapter and any Canon EOS EF lens. The USM (Ultrasonic Motor) lenses are not required. That is Canon's trade name for their better grade AF motor. Third party companies (Tamron, Tokina, Sigma) do not use USMs but they will still work on the XL1.

Jeff

Ram Nagarajan · July 31st, 2002, 10:59 PM

Jeff, Don:
Is there an adapter that takes Nikon (Nikkor lenses) for the XL1S? Just asking 'cause my still cam's a Nikon F-90X, and it's be really useful if the lenses I have for that would go on to the XL1S.
Best,
Ram

Jeff Donald · August 1st, 2002, 06:02 AM

I believe there are two adapters. Both Century http://www.centuryoptics.com/ and ZGC http://www.zgc.com/ have adapters to convert Nikor to XL mount for the Canon. Sometimes these little used adapters aren't shown on the sites, so you may want to call them.

Jeff

July 31st, 2002, 07:19 AM	#1
Nick Glenister Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: UK - Norfolk Posts: 95	Can you fit the XL1 lenses to a 35mm SLR camera Hi, I have an XL1 and i'm also a keen photographer. I have read in many places that it is possible to fix camera lenses to the XL1 but after several conversations with various people i'm still a little confused. I understand (and if i'm wrong please correct me) that in order to put camera lenses onto the XL1 i'll need an adapter (the EF adapter i believe) and that this will allow me to fit any camera lens that bears the inscription USM onto my XL1. At this point i was quite excited as i was looking to get a new camera and was therefore heading towards a Canon EOS. I was also hoping that since you can fit camera lenses to the XL1 it was possible to fit XL1 lenses to a standard SLR camera (one of the canon EOS range for example). This is still my big unanswered question... can you fit the XL1 lenses to ANY 35mm SLR camera? If so how? Regards Nick

July 31st, 2002, 09:50 AM	#2
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,487	I've not heard of any adapter, but you probably would not want to use a XL1 lens (or most other similar size video lenses) on a still camera. The XL1 lenses are designed for the 1/3" CCD of the camcorder, and designed for the resolution (pixel spacing) of the CCD. They are not designed to cover the much larger imaging size of the film in a 35mm film camera, (by a factor of 7.2x diagonal or so) and may not produce the image resolution supported by film. 35mm film lenses work on video mainly because the lens is designed for a much higher resolution and larger imaging area, and the sweet spot in the center of the image formed by lens is much larger than the CCD. Also, the standard XL1 lens is fully automatic and servo coupled. Any adapter would have to support the reqwuired handshaking and control functions for the lens. A significant technical undertaking.

July 31st, 2002, 10:10 AM	#3
Nick Glenister Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: UK - Norfolk Posts: 95	hmmm ok. I thought it would be a really good lens to use on a camera but perhaps not after all. I guess what i really thinking was why spend X amount of pounds on a camera lens if i can use the XL1 lens. A nice i idea maybe but not as practical as it sounds. Thanks for the info. Nick

July 31st, 2002, 11:09 AM	#4
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	The XL1 lenses would vignette (not cover the 36mm x 24 mm film size). The standard lens also would cover a mostly wide angle field of view (5.5mm to 88mm zoom). The XL1 requires the Canon EF adapter and any Canon EOS EF lens. The USM (Ultrasonic Motor) lenses are not required. That is Canon's trade name for their better grade AF motor. Third party companies (Tamron, Tokina, Sigma) do not use USMs but they will still work on the XL1. Jeff

July 31st, 2002, 10:59 PM	#5
Ram Nagarajan Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: New Delhi, India Posts: 107	Jeff, Don: Is there an adapter that takes Nikon (Nikkor lenses) for the XL1S? Just asking 'cause my still cam's a Nikon F-90X, and it's be really useful if the lenses I have for that would go on to the XL1S. Best, Ram

August 1st, 2002, 06:02 AM	#6
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	I believe there are two adapters. Both Century http://www.centuryoptics.com/ and ZGC http://www.zgc.com/ have adapters to convert Nikor to XL mount for the Canon. Sometimes these little used adapters aren't shown on the sites, so you may want to call them. Jeff