Wide angle lenses

[m0d]

So we're getting a "legit" XL2 now, I hope - but I have a quick n00b question about wide angle lenses. What defines a good lens, and what defines a crap one? Would I get more width from a 0.65x W.A. lens or from a 0.50x? Any tips about these things, because again I think we'll be sourcing ebay for such items.

Any help is appreciated [img]smile.gif[/img]

And anyone who has dealt with wedding videos - you got any tips? [img]wink.gif[/img]

[richard.fisher]

You will get more width from a 0.5x lens than a 0.65x lens as a 0.5x lens zooms in less, thus zooming out more. I don't have anything as fancy as an XL", but the maths remains the same. I got an 0.5x lens for my camera, and it increased the maximum image ou could get into the camera quite considerably. With the standard lens, and the camera zoomed out fully, the camera could see everything within about a 47 degrees arc. With the wide angle lens fitted, it could see upto everything with about an 87 degrees arc. Does this make sense? I can't think of an easy way to descirbe it without the use of microsoft paintbrush if it doesn't [img]frown.gif[/img]

The downside to using a wide angle lens is that the edges of the image bow, and I would nearly always favour pulling the camera back to capture as muh as you need, over using a wide angle lens, so as not to get that distortian. The time when they become invaluble, is when filming interiors on location, and pulling the camera back would involve having to remove a supporting wall. In that case, a little distortian can be tolerated.

There are numerous websites which will show you comparisons between standard camera lenses, and supplimentary lenses (at this level i'm guessing we'remostly talking wide angle, or perhaps telefocal lenses). Once you know what camera you'll be using (and it sounds like you do) then find out who makes lenses you could use with it, and go to their official websites, they will probably having stills showing you the degree of distortian you can expect. Of course there is no substitute for trying before buying.

[emjen]

If you want to have less distortion shouldnt you get a wide angle lens which zooms in more then?

Just a question.

[Matty2phatty]

If you want to zoom in, won't that defeat the purpose of having a wide-angle lens?

[eddie123456789]

>If you want to have less distortion shouldnt you
>get a wide angle lens which zooms in more then?
>
>Just a question

A zoom lens is the opposite to a wide angle lens.
The question doesnt make sense, either a lens is wide angle or its not.

If you have some kind of zoom facility on a wide angle lens, then as soon as you use it you will lose the advantage of the wide angle (in that a wide angle lens captures more image left and right (and up and down) -whereas zooming in captures less image, left and right (and up and down))

[Nigel]

I hate the XL1/2 lens...Canon screwed the pooch on that one. The best thing to do is sell the lens and buy a fully manual one. The other issue is that MiniDV relies on such small CCDs that you need to be in the 3,4,5,6 range to get wide. It is like Super8 in that sense. Which might be the way to go...Find a good Super8 zoom for a Beaulieu and then have an adaptor made.

Good Luck

[emjen]

what I meant was, there's 05 wide angle lenses and 0,6 wide angles lenses and so on. If you want less distortion shouldnt you just take one that has a higher number (0,6 instead of 0,5)?

[richard.fisher]

I believe you're right Emjen. The less 'wide angle' the wide angle lens is, the less distortion there will be. What you need is to find the least wide angle lens that will serve all your requirements, or have a variety of lenses, or be flexible and shoot your scene differently based on the limitations of the location, or put up with a degree of distortion.