View Full Version : 35 mm movie look by using Canon EOS Series lenses
Robert_Niemann
02-28-2005, 07:08 AM
Has anybody experiences with using Canon EOS Series lenses with the Canon XL2 and the EF adapter? My question is, if these lenses, nevertheless they were designed for 35 mm still photo cameras, give a more filmlike look to the XL2 image, than the "conventional" video lenses do. And what, by the way, are the differences between a film lense constructed for still photography resp. movies?
scharky
02-28-2005, 01:05 PM
No, they will not give a more film like image. They will just magnify the field of view of the lens by 7x. Check out some of the previous posts on this exact topic.
booggerg
03-01-2005, 03:08 PM
Yeah that whole interchangability sell-point is totally useless except for a few special uses.
scharky
03-01-2005, 03:19 PM
well, unless you like filming birds at 500 meters. ;D
Dr.Gonzo
03-01-2005, 04:30 PM
Okay first off, you are all wrong. The ef adaptor allows for more functionality from your camera by using eos lenses designed by canon. It is the only affordable 24p with interchangable lenses; you have added options to what you can do with the camera. Unfortunately for dvx users, their lense has a limited range as to what you can shoot. For example, with a 100mm macro lense attached to the XL2 one could shoot an ant at a one to one ration meaning that in a 35mm frame, the ant would occupy the entire thing. Try doing that with yerDVX. Yes, the Leica lense is nice, but it is very limited to what it can do. Additionally, using manual lenses for the xl2 can greatly expand your horizon when it comes to focus. Using a lense with an F1.3 adds a greater depth of field. There are uses for the ef adaptor. I have it and it has changed the way I have shot my movies.
Good luck with it.
When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.
Robert_Niemann
03-01-2005, 04:47 PM
Dr.Gonzo, is the look You get with a Canon EOS Series lense another than with a Canon video lense (according to a more film like image)?
I think the point scharky was trying to make is that you won't get a 35mm DOF by simply attaching a Canon EOS lens to the XL2.....
scharky
03-01-2005, 07:00 PM
Dr. Gonzo
I was indeed just making a point that it will not add to the film look whatsoever, but will give you an extreme telephoto lense. For the type of work that I do I am a firm believer in moving the camera not the zoom and interacting first hand with the talent. For others having a huge zoom is necesary. I am a firm believer in using the the right tool for the right project. IF you are a nature videographer I would not reccomend the DVX. I personally prefer the manual control of the DVX lens to that of the XL2, so that is what I use. I don't have the need to have an ant fill the screen when shooting from 50ft, I would just prefer to move the camera. ;)
Policar
03-04-2005, 09:56 PM
Scharky's right. The adapter will get you 35mm DOF, but your 50mm lens will be equivalent to nearly 400mm, which is virtually unusable. A 10mm lens would be about the only thing you could use without major space crushing. Exchangeable lenses on the XL2 are nice if you have the money, but the only real limitation on the DVX's lens is the fact that it only zooms to about 7X normal. (Since it's a wide angle 10X zoom).
The EOS adapter will "change the way you shoot movies" but it will do so mostly by forcing you to buy a much longer cable to your boom mic. In all honesty, the adapter is goofy, but a mini35 (though expensive) mounted on an XL2 is pretty darned ideal.
Bill__Turner
03-05-2005, 12:06 PM
Since it seems to keep coming up, one more time, the 50mm EOS lens will photograph exactly the same Field of View as the Canon XL1/1s/2 zoom lens set at 50mm. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE - only if the prime was faster than the zoom could you achieve shallower depth of field by opening it up.
The "200mm equivalent" refers to what lens you would use on the 35mm still camera to see the same FOV as on the video camera. FOCAL LENGTH IS FOCAL LENGTH, it never changes it is a physical property of the lens.
This seems to cause endless confusion.
Bill Turner
Century Division
Schneider Optics
Policar
03-08-2005, 11:07 PM
True, but the FOV for the XL2 at 50mm renders 50mm extreme telephoto, similar to a 400mm lens on an SLR.
MattC
04-07-2005, 09:43 AM
Yes, even the 20X requires you to sometimes use a longer mic cable, but if you use the full length of the lens you can get a some nice DOF effect, but granted you have to rethink the way you shoot.
I was just discussing EOS lenses with someone who has been using them, and he says he like the image much more. Not because of DOF but just the image that they produce. He's using macro lenses and the EF adapter.
Matt