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Home: Video University Forums: Canon All Camcorders:
Pre Focusing with the XL1s. Cant

TURNAH
User

Nov 17, 2004, 5:53 AM

Post #1 of 10 (3763 views)
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Pre Focusing with the XL1s. Cant	Can't Post

Hi All

I have thought this for a while and have recently confirmed it with my camera.
I cant pre focus using my XL1s. On a recent shoot where i was using a field monitor it became very apparent.
I zoom in on the subject, focus then zoom out and the subject is softly out of focus. i had suspicions about this while videoing weddings but it was very obvious on the field monitor.
Has any else found this.

Also has any one had experience with the manual lens for the the XL1. What features do you lose over the standard one? Is it any good? Most importantly can you pre focus?.
__________________________________________________
Craig

Triple A Fair Dinkum outback Weddin Vids.

DonP
Novice

Nov 17, 2004, 6:09 AM

Post #2 of 10 (3754 views)
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Re: [vidmad] Pre Focusing with the XL1s. Cant [In reply to]	Can't Post

Check back focus (a factory setting), if off, that could cause softness you describe when you zoom out. You can check this with resolution charts. The resolution should remain about the same as you focus in and out.

Also, FWIW, some folks percieve wide shots as being porly focused or low resolution when it is just that a wide shot gives fewer pixels to form the image of an object than the same object up close or at a telephoto setting.

There are two manual Canon lenses available on the market for the XL1 series, the original 14x and a newer 16x with somewhat different features. You can find descriptions at www.dvinfo.net. And they both have manual focus and adjustable back-focus.

smitty
User

Nov 18, 2004, 12:18 AM

Post #3 of 10 (3731 views)
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Re: [vidmad] Pre Focusing with the XL1s. Cant [In reply to]	Can't Post

When my XL1S was new it had thew same problem.I was used to pro lenses that allowed adjusting the back focus.You can't with the standard XL1 lense.I sent it back to Canon explaining the situation and they rest the backfocus(apparently an electronic adjustment) and now it is fine.Send it in.
smitty

TURNAH
User

Nov 19, 2004, 2:21 AM

Post #4 of 10 (3710 views)
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Re: [smitty] Pre Focusing with the XL1s. Cant [In reply to]	Can't Post

Same, I am used to professional cameras and wondered why i could not do it. i might look into that. Did you have to pay for the adjustment.
__________________________________________________
Craig

Triple A Fair Dinkum outback Weddin Vids.

DonP
Novice

Nov 19, 2004, 6:17 AM

Post #5 of 10 (3708 views)
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Re: [vidmad] Pre Focusing with the XL1s. Cant [In reply to]	Can't Post

When mine was serviced for a back focus issue, it was under warranty - no cost (excpet shipping to Canon). However, if out of warranty there probably are charges.

smitty
User

Nov 20, 2004, 12:23 AM

Post #6 of 10 (3688 views)
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Re: [vidmad] Pre Focusing with the XL1s. Cant [In reply to]	Can't Post

Mine was under warranty so no charges.
smitty

AGVTV
New User

Nov 28, 2004, 2:16 PM

Post #7 of 10 (3597 views)
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Re: [vidmad] Pre Focusing with the XL1s. Cant [In reply to]	Can't Post

It seems that the XL1s lens can't be pre-focused. It was explained to me that the reason for this lies in the design of the image stabilization system. I was told that the focus ring does not directly control the lens-- it controls a servo motor that operates the lens.

(This post was edited by AGVTV on Nov 28, 2004, 2:18 PM)

smitty
User

Dec 2, 2004, 10:41 PM

Post #8 of 10 (3546 views)
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Re: [AGVTV] Pre Focusing with the XL1s. Cant [In reply to]	Can't Post

While it is true that the lense uses servo motors and not direct mechanical connection, with a properly adjusted back focus, zooming in and setting focus should definitely work.If it does not your camera has a problem.Of course I'm refer to manual mode only ,not auto focus or green box
smitty

AGVTV
New User

Dec 3, 2004, 12:42 AM

Post #9 of 10 (3544 views)
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Re: [smitty] Pre Focusing with the XL1s. Cant [In reply to]	Can't Post

Smitty, I have the 16X lens. How do you adjust the back focus on that lens? I don't see any discussion of back focus in the manual.

(This post was edited by AGVTV on Dec 3, 2004, 12:25 PM)

smitty
User

Dec 4, 2004, 3:35 AM

Post #10 of 10 (3515 views)
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Re: [AGVTV] Pre Focusing with the XL1s. Cant [In reply to]	Can't Post

Most pro lenses have a user adjustable backfocus.Wish Canon could have on this lense.The backfocus is Not user adjustable.It apparently is an electronic setting.Send it back to Canon and be very specific about the problem , they can and should adjust it for you
smitty