XL2 16X vs. 20X

[Film Fart]

sifting through the various threads and subjects, etc., at dvxuser, i've had most of my questions answered about which gear to purchase for video, audio, lighting, etc. when it comes to outfitting my son for some movie-making-- but i haven't found quite the consensus i'm looking for on the issue of XL lenses.

since i must plead ignoramus on this issue, anyone willing to weigh in with arguments, pro and con, on the 16x vs. 20x? i was ready to jump on the 16x but understand it doesn't have image stabilization. how vital is that? and what about other considerations ie: how good is the 20x vs. 16x in close quarters?

oh, and how 'bout that wide angle?

the rookie'll shut up now and let you experienced guys take a crack.

[Travis_Andersen]

Film Fart. I have all of the lenses (16X Man, 3X, 20X, and 16XIS) that you speak of plus the eos and 1.6 adapters. Where are you located in Boston? If you want you can try them out to see the difference. Nothing like checking for yourself. I work at WGBH so if you have an intrest PM and you can come buy and have a look.

[giottolombardi]

Travis. You say you have the eos adapter. Is it any good? I'm thinking of getting one before I shoot a ten minute short in a couple of weeks, as I know someone who has a bunch of lenses. Would it be worth my while? I only have the 20x at the moment, but all my stuff is ext day, so I'm not too worried about getting far enough away for the wide shots. Still, it'd be nice to have the option of changing up the lenses, if the adapter works well.

[Seetukka]

Is it true that the 20x lens is sharper than other canon lenses?? Can you get more soften image(and so a bit more "filmic") with other canon lenses??

[MattC]

I haven't purchased the 16X Manual yet - plan to this month. But I will say that the 20X is an incredibly sharp piece of glass. I actually like that for many things, but yes it is sharp. Based on what I've read, I think the 16X will offer a slightly softer more filmic image - especially when combined with say a black promist.

Film Fart - you're a good dad. I remember being a young music student ready to get his first "real" instrument - a 19th Century Czech Bass. My father couldn't fathom why an instrument cost almost 16,000. He didn't have that kind of money, but he did figure out a way for me to buy the instrument. I'll never forget that....

Matt

[J.R. Hudson]

$16,000 for a Czech Bass?

See, this is why I just played guitar. $400.00 for a Peavy Wood 'Strat' Model.

:)

[MattC]

Yeah, and I got a "deal"...

See they would let the wood age for 100 years in sheds before they made the instruments. Every year they would put new wood in and take seasoned wood out. During WWII almost all of these stockpiles of wood were destroyed. So it's not just the craftsmanship, but the aged wood. That bass should have sold for about $20,000 and this was in 1984.

Matt

[Travis_Andersen]

giottolombardi
I have to say that the EOS adapter is pretty cool. I use mostly on long lenses but I have a 28:70 lens as well. It has a sharp image but you have to deal with magnification issue and it wont give you the same dept of field if thats what your looking for. But if your friend has a wide angle EOS lens the I would get the adaptor to use. I think the results will be just as good if not better that the 3X wide. Where are you located? See if a rental house has one you can try and grab an EOS lens to see if its to your liking.

[giottolombardi]

Thanks for the advice travis. I'll definitely look into it. Located in Ireland, though: Not sure if anyone rents out XL2 accessories here. Still, it'd be worth buying outright as I've got three or four shorts coming up over the summer.

[DeeJco1]

Travis,

Wouldn't a wide angle lense turn into a telephoto by the eos adapter because of its magnification?

[Policar]

Yeah, it definitely would. The XL2's CCD is about 6mm diagonally (actually less due to its weird design), and 35mm film is 43mm diagonally. So there will be 7X magnification.

That 50mm lens you were using just became 350mm. Ouch. That 200mm lens? 1400mm! Get ready to buy a LONG cable for you boom mic!

How could you possible get the equivalent of the 3X wide angle lens using the EOS adapter? Assuming you wanted the FOV of a 28mm lens (which isn't even THAT wide), you'd need a 4mm lens. Good luck finding one of those.

[Travis_Andersen]

Hey guys,

Ill let you know as I just got my hands on a wde angle lens to try out. Willl report back tonight.

[Policar]

By the way, if you have any internships at WGBH...uhh...I could use one! (I know John Kerr, too.)

[Travis_Andersen]

Policar you are correct. I used a 30:80 wide angle. It was like using a "wider" 16X lens with a very short zoom. Interships here are ok but I would try someplace thats non-union so you can try alost anything. PM me and Ill fill you in.