Canon XH A1 Useful Accessories? at DVinfo.net

John K. Anderson · December 24th, 2006, 05:44 PM

My XH A1 arrives Dec.27th. Yahoo!! What usefull accessories do others have and recommend for this camcorder for general use? I have the uv filter. What about the Canon VL-10Li II video light?? Canon SBR-1000 shoulder brace? Is an external mic necessary or does the internal mike give good pickup? Thanks in advance.

Michael Y Wong · December 27th, 2006, 02:33 PM

The 2 things I picked up for the XH-A1 were the BP-970 mammoth battery and a J-Rod.

The J-Rod will allow me to mount my Rode VideoMic + Sony Video light + my potential Seinnheiser wireless reciever on the camera cleanly. Will post a few pix in a day or 2!

Stu Siegal · December 27th, 2006, 03:46 PM

Michael,

What's a J-Rod? Couldn't find it at B&H, who makes it & where did you get it?

Jerome Marot · December 27th, 2006, 04:20 PM

Found it: http://www.thej-rod.com/

(have also a look at: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?p=595710 where Vito DePhilippo used a broom stick to the same effect...)

Michael Y Wong · December 27th, 2006, 10:52 PM

I've attached some pix of my full XH-A1 setup to illustrate the J-Rod in action.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...862#post596862

Tomer Stolz · December 28th, 2006, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Y Wong

The J-Rod will allow me to mount my Rode VideoMic + Sony Video light + my potential Seinnheiser wireless reciever on the camera cleanly

Hi Michael,
Would it be possible to attach and use the Sony Video Light (HVL-20DW2) to the A1 without using the J-Rod?

Michael Y Wong · December 28th, 2006, 07:47 PM

^^ yup just attach the light to the hot shoe on the front of the cam.

Jason Strongfield · December 28th, 2006, 08:03 PM

Depending on what kind of work you do, You can get much much better result with a shotgun mic.

Michael Y Wong · December 28th, 2006, 11:37 PM

100% agreed, I purchased the Rode VM for my HC1 and would rather invest in a seinnhesser wireless lav system before upgrading to a shotgun mic, altho the Rode NTG-2 is tempting. For now the Rode VM will suffice.

Anthony Leong · December 29th, 2006, 01:29 PM

Anybody try using the Canon VFL-1 video light on a Canon XH-A1?

Michael Y Wong · December 29th, 2006, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony Leong

Anybody try using the Canon VFL-1 video light on a Canon XH-A1?

That light looks tiny, and I wanst able to find that wattage on it, as a general rule tho, I see many videographers using a 20 watt bulb. Furthermore, lights in general DRAIN battery, so if the light is powered via the camera battery, i would avoid that.

Chris Hurd · December 29th, 2006, 07:54 PM

The XH camcorders do not have an Advanced Accessory Shoe which is necessary for powering a VFL-1 or VL-3 video light. The shoe on an XH camcorder is "cold," or unpowered, although it will communicate with an EOS Speedlite photo flash.

None of the AAS devices (such as the VFL-1 or VL-3 video lights, the DM-50 microphone, or the MA-300 XLR audio input block) will work with the A1 or G1.

Chris Korrow · December 30th, 2006, 02:52 PM

John,
It depends on what your going to shoot with the cam.
If your doing pro work, a good mic is pretty essential.
(I've been very happy with the Senn ME66 - Very light, tough, & good sound)

Though an on camera light has it's uses for sure, it can not replace "good" lighting, & that includes making the best of what light is available.
Even with still photography, an on camera light is rarely the lighting of choice in pro applications, unless of course your doing a wedding or such.

John K. Anderson · December 30th, 2006, 08:30 PM

Thanks for all the feedback from everyone. Will start by researching a good microphone.

Steve Nunez · December 30th, 2006, 08:49 PM

The Firestore FS4 HD's and Pros work flawlessly with the A1's in case you want to go tapeless (or taped backup)....you might consider it as an "accessory" for the A1's!

December 24th, 2006, 05:44 PM	#1
John K. Anderson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 26	Canon XH A1 Useful Accessories? My XH A1 arrives Dec.27th. Yahoo!! What usefull accessories do others have and recommend for this camcorder for general use? I have the uv filter. What about the Canon VL-10Li II video light?? Canon SBR-1000 shoulder brace? Is an external mic necessary or does the internal mike give good pickup? Thanks in advance.

December 27th, 2006, 02:33 PM	#2
Michael Y Wong Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Ontario Canada! Posts: 353	The 2 things I picked up for the XH-A1 were the BP-970 mammoth battery and a J-Rod. The J-Rod will allow me to mount my Rode VideoMic + Sony Video light + my potential Seinnheiser wireless reciever on the camera cleanly. Will post a few pix in a day or 2! __________________ dreaming hobbyist + storyteller www.michaelywong.com

December 27th, 2006, 10:52 PM	#5
Michael Y Wong Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Ontario Canada! Posts: 353	I've attached some pix of my full XH-A1 setup to illustrate the J-Rod in action. http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...862#post596862 __________________ dreaming hobbyist + storyteller www.michaelywong.com

December 28th, 2006, 07:47 PM	#7
Michael Y Wong Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Ontario Canada! Posts: 353	^^ yup just attach the light to the hot shoe on the front of the cam. __________________ dreaming hobbyist + storyteller www.michaelywong.com

December 28th, 2006, 11:37 PM	#9
Michael Y Wong Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Ontario Canada! Posts: 353	100% agreed, I purchased the Rode VM for my HC1 and would rather invest in a seinnhesser wireless lav system before upgrading to a shotgun mic, altho the Rode NTG-2 is tempting. For now the Rode VM will suffice. __________________ dreaming hobbyist + storyteller www.michaelywong.com

December 27th, 2006, 03:46 PM	#3
Stu Siegal Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Boston Posts: 151	Michael, What's a J-Rod? Couldn't find it at B&H, who makes it & where did you get it?

December 27th, 2006, 04:20 PM	#4
Jerome Marot Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Munich (Germany) Posts: 107 Images: 4	Found it: http://www.thej-rod.com/ (have also a look at: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?p=595710 where Vito DePhilippo used a broom stick to the same effect...)

December 28th, 2006, 08:03 PM	#8
Jason Strongfield Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: USA Posts: 195	Depending on what kind of work you do, You can get much much better result with a shotgun mic.

December 29th, 2006, 01:29 PM	#10
Anthony Leong Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: United States Posts: 93	Anybody try using the Canon VFL-1 video light on a Canon XH-A1?

December 29th, 2006, 07:54 PM	#12
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	The XH camcorders do not have an Advanced Accessory Shoe which is necessary for powering a VFL-1 or VL-3 video light. The shoe on an XH camcorder is "cold," or unpowered, although it will communicate with an EOS Speedlite photo flash. None of the AAS devices (such as the VFL-1 or VL-3 video lights, the DM-50 microphone, or the MA-300 XLR audio input block) will work with the A1 or G1. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

December 30th, 2006, 02:52 PM	#13
Chris Korrow Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Whidbey Is, WA Posts: 326	John, It depends on what your going to shoot with the cam. If your doing pro work, a good mic is pretty essential. (I've been very happy with the Senn ME66 - Very light, tough, & good sound) Though an on camera light has it's uses for sure, it can not replace "good" lighting, & that includes making the best of what light is available. Even with still photography, an on camera light is rarely the lighting of choice in pro applications, unless of course your doing a wedding or such.

December 30th, 2006, 08:30 PM	#14
John K. Anderson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 26	Thanks for all the feedback from everyone. Will start by researching a good microphone.

December 30th, 2006, 08:49 PM	#15
Steve Nunez Trustee Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Pembroke Pines, Florida Posts: 1,418	The Firestore FS4 HD's and Pros work flawlessly with the A1's in case you want to go tapeless (or taped backup)....you might consider it as an "accessory" for the A1's! __________________ Steve Nunez-New York City www.stevenunez.com