XL Lense Compatibility
- Thread starter AgeZero
- Start date
Barry_Green
Moderator
Yes you can. But you wouldn't want to. Unless you were only shooting in DV mode.
Trying to use a standard-def lens to shoot HD will likely result in unacceptably soft video.
Trying to use a standard-def lens to shoot HD will likely result in unacceptably soft video.
Jaime Valles
Veteran
So, then why did they make it compatible with the XL1/s/2 lenses? Couldn't they have picked a more universal PL mount, and really make it an indie film camera?
Or does the whole 1/3" CCD prohibit PL mount lenses from being usable in some way? Then again, if the stock lens on the XL H1 is really good, nobody will need another lens. Time will tell.
Or does the whole 1/3" CCD prohibit PL mount lenses from being usable in some way? Then again, if the stock lens on the XL H1 is really good, nobody will need another lens. Time will tell.
Barry_Green
Moderator
Well, because they can be used, to a limited degree -- they're perfectly usable for shooting standard-def, for example. And the newer lenses will also be backward-compatible to the XL2.
Why didn't they use a universal mount? You'd have to ask them that question. At least JVC used an existing 1/3" mount instead of inventing a proprietary mount.
But, can you imagine the complaints from existing XL owners if Canon had made the camera incompatible with their existing gear? That wouldn't have been very consumer-friendly of them (even if, in the end, it would have solved more problems than it created...)
Why didn't they use a universal mount? You'd have to ask them that question. At least JVC used an existing 1/3" mount instead of inventing a proprietary mount.
But, can you imagine the complaints from existing XL owners if Canon had made the camera incompatible with their existing gear? That wouldn't have been very consumer-friendly of them (even if, in the end, it would have solved more problems than it created...)
Don't know -- maybe the flange focal distance wouldn't allow it, or maybe it would... I really don't know... didn't someone at some point make a PL adapter for the Canon XL1? I thought someone did... and if they did, that would still work for the XL H1, so that would rule out that argument...
Given the history of the XL lenses, that doesn't seem too likely. The stock lens may have great glass, but there's a whole lot of people who won't want to put up with the Canon "wet cabbage" feel of the servo zoom & focus (term borrowed from the esteemed Graeme Nattress)... I would expect there to be significant demand for a fully-manual lens. And the wide-angle aspect of the XL 20x lens has never been that strong, so I expect people to want a wide-angle lens option too...