Anyone using the 13x lens? at DVinfo.net

Bill Edmunds · July 29th, 2006, 05:44 PM

The 13x lens sounds really good, but I can't seem to find it being sold anywhere. How much does it cost? Can you buy it as a kit with the HD100 (like the standard 16x)?

Jonathan Nelson · July 29th, 2006, 06:00 PM

I got mine off of b&h.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

Jaron Berman · July 29th, 2006, 10:19 PM

I believe it's roughly 8500 USD. The lens is fantastic though. Sharp as you can get on that camera (beyond maximum wide), which is pretty nice! One thing to be aware of though is that it does have some CA, although much less than the kit lens. Also it does breathe, again less than the kit lens. I compared the XL-H1 with its stock lens next to the HD100 with this lens, and obviously, each camera has it's plusses and minuses. Truth is though, the Canon kit lens spanks this glass in every way except usability. I thought the 13x was super nice and had well controlled breathing until I started switching back and forth on an HD monitor btw. the two... the Canon is essentially flawless when it comes to CA and breathing....but the controls are worse than worthless. I know that comparison prob. doesn't help, but its something to keep in mind. So if you have the HD100, and 8500 to throw at it, then this is a very nice lens from an operator's standpoint. Real focus iris and zoom rings, like the stock lens. But this goes wider and does everything better. My sticking point with it is that at full wide, it is noticeably soft. Certainly better than any screw on lens, but still too soft, in my opinion, for the price.

As far as breathing goes, it turns out that even ultra-expensive 2/3" wide lenses for HD breathe! No CA anywhere to be found, but when racking focus, basically all ENG-style lenses will do it. Yet another reason why cinema-style zooms are so so expensive. If you really need wide, I think there's a guy on here that can convert canon fd lenses to the HD100. They won't breathe or display CA. Just a thought.

John Yamamoto · July 29th, 2006, 11:11 PM

the 35mm FD lenses are 7x, so there's no way to get wide angle at all.
the fujinon is good i terms of sharpness at it's own circle of confusion.

putting a 35mm lens not necessary yield good result. as the resultion may be be as good as lens for small CCDs. but no harm to try.

the good thing is about the possibilties to shift and make axis tilting on FD lens.

JY

Brian Luce · July 30th, 2006, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaron Berman

. The lens is fantastic though. Sharp as you can get on that camera (beyond maximum wide), which is pretty nice!

If you really need wide, I think there's a guy on here that can convert canon fd lenses to the HD100. They won't breathe or display CA. Just a thought.

Is the overall image noticeably improved with the 13x? setting aside less ca and breathing and the wider angle, does it give much picture quality improvement?

And what are canon fd lenses?

July 29th, 2006, 05:44 PM	#1
Bill Edmunds Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Conway, NH Posts: 574	Anyone using the 13x lens? The 13x lens sounds really good, but I can't seem to find it being sold anywhere. How much does it cost? Can you buy it as a kit with the HD100 (like the standard 16x)?

July 29th, 2006, 11:11 PM	#4
John Yamamoto Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 94	i guess u mean tele lens the 35mm FD lenses are 7x, so there's no way to get wide angle at all. the fujinon is good i terms of sharpness at it's own circle of confusion. putting a 35mm lens not necessary yield good result. as the resultion may be be as good as lens for small CCDs. but no harm to try. the good thing is about the possibilties to shift and make axis tilting on FD lens. JY

July 29th, 2006, 06:00 PM	#2
Jonathan Nelson Major Player Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Kingman Arizona Posts: 298	I got mine off of b&h. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

July 29th, 2006, 10:19 PM	#3
Jaron Berman Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 439	I believe it's roughly 8500 USD. The lens is fantastic though. Sharp as you can get on that camera (beyond maximum wide), which is pretty nice! One thing to be aware of though is that it does have some CA, although much less than the kit lens. Also it does breathe, again less than the kit lens. I compared the XL-H1 with its stock lens next to the HD100 with this lens, and obviously, each camera has it's plusses and minuses. Truth is though, the Canon kit lens spanks this glass in every way except usability. I thought the 13x was super nice and had well controlled breathing until I started switching back and forth on an HD monitor btw. the two... the Canon is essentially flawless when it comes to CA and breathing....but the controls are worse than worthless. I know that comparison prob. doesn't help, but its something to keep in mind. So if you have the HD100, and 8500 to throw at it, then this is a very nice lens from an operator's standpoint. Real focus iris and zoom rings, like the stock lens. But this goes wider and does everything better. My sticking point with it is that at full wide, it is noticeably soft. Certainly better than any screw on lens, but still too soft, in my opinion, for the price. As far as breathing goes, it turns out that even ultra-expensive 2/3" wide lenses for HD breathe! No CA anywhere to be found, but when racking focus, basically all ENG-style lenses will do it. Yet another reason why cinema-style zooms are so so expensive. If you really need wide, I think there's a guy on here that can convert canon fd lenses to the HD100. They won't breathe or display CA. Just a thought.