Limited zoom suggestions

Luke

Luke

Well-known member
I do outdoor videos for a chain of outdoor retail stores in the Midwest. They absolutely love the way the DVX handles nature, it’s a far cry from the video look they are used to. This job also requires that I film the wildlife in the area which leads me to my problem. I didn’t plan on doing this type of job when I got my DVX. And I understand that it wasn’t designed with far range shots in mind but this stock zoom is very limiting for me. Of course I know its not an interchangeable lens camera like the XL2, but I was just hoping that maybe someone knew something I didn’t. I know I can zoom in post but loose of quality is not an acceptable option. Any ideas? Is the XL2 the only substitute within the DVXs price range? I would not consider the Canon a replacement, just a tool for this particular job.

Thanks
Luke
 
No other camera is going to offer the lens flexibility that the Canon will give you. The stock lens is about twice as long as the DVX's, and you can substitute out an EOS adapter that will let you put on a lens as long as you'd like... 200mm, 300mm, 500mm, whatever you want.

For the DVX you're pretty much limited to one choice: the 1.6x teleconverter from Century Precision Optics. And it's not inexpensive -- it's about $700 or $800.
 
The XL2 with EOS adapter and long lenses are perfectly good reasons to have an XL2.
That is perhaps the most recognisable benefit it offers over any other MiniDV camera...
You can use Canon EOS lenses on it... and with a focal length crop factor of 9.2x in 4:3,
you wouldn't necessarily need expensive telephoto lenses to realise the benefit immediately.
 
Thanks for the replies. I pretty much knew that was going to be the answers I would get. I don’t claim to know much about lenses but after doing this job for a few weeks I should probably learn. The wildlife I shot is typically 40-150 yards away. Say I’m filming a deer at 40 yards out, (not very realistic) and I want to get just his head in the frame. Would the 20x stock lens be sufficient enough or should I just get the body and spring for one of the EF lenses?

Thanks
Luke
 
Try thinking in terms of focal length.. read more about the lenses you're considering and compare focal lengths. It's senseless to think in terms of 10X 20X, etc. since it's relative to the lens.
 
I guess all I can really do is drive 2 hours to the nearest dealer and try one out. Twice as far is a pretty good reach but when im aiming for subjects that are 150 yards away? Occasionally there is a guide along with me. So I need something that I could film him from just a few feet away and in a moments notice get and animal from a far distance. Any ideas? Thanks for the help. Maybe I should direct this question to the XL2 guys.
 
Well, if thinking in terms of the camera you've already got, "double" the telephoto reach is about
like going from 22.5mm to 45mm on your DVX.. Do you notice that big of a difference?

DVXUser Discussion About 20X Canon Lens
http://www.dvxuser.com/V3/showthread.php?t=21780

DVXUser Discussion About EOS Adapter and What It Does
http://www.dvxuser.com/V3/showthread.php?t=21919

DVInfo About XL2 Camcorder
http://www.dvinfo.net/canonxl2/xl2faq.php

Guide To XL2 Lens Choices
http://www.dvinfo.net/canonxl2/articles/article04.php#ceos

Bottom line is, for what you're doing (nature photography) is perfect for the XL2/EOS package.
The idea would be to use something like a 300mm lens (or longer) to quote sharky, "So you can
pick out a centipede from 500 yards away". Haha. Of course check it out at a dealer first, but
really this thing is designed to do exactly what you're trying to do. You'd probably need two
cameras or really quick hands to switch from a standard lens to a wicked telephoto if you wanted
to get it all at the same time.. know what I mean?

One lens that goes from video wide 3.5mm to 300mm doesn't exist. Some big mamma
broadcast lenses have zoom ranges of upwards of 300X, but they cost more than
your house... interestingly enough I think you could fit one on an XLR with an
adapter....

best,
brian
 
Thank you for your input. You have been very helpful. I was looking at what canon has to offer as far as lenses go and I was thinking of maybe something like a 75-300mm telephoto zoom lens. One thing is for sure, I wont be giving up my DVX.

Thanks again
Luke
 
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