Canon Optura FAQ

Michael Wisniewski · August 27th, 2005, 06:15 PM

All right, y'all, This is one stop shopping for all things Optura. Feel free to contribute as much as you like. I'll periodically re-edit the FAQ as it expands. The listings are growing so I'm trying to provide low budget options, next to "investment" type equipment.

GENERAL RESOURCES

WHERE TO BUY

DVInfo.net Sponsors

ACCESSORIES - What should I buy for my Optura?

Batteries - In addition to Canon, Power 2000, Lenmar, & CTA produce batteries compatible with the Opturas.
- Using 3rd party batteries is a very common practice among camcorders owners. Be aware that if you send in your Canon camcorder for repair with a 3rd party battery attached, Canon can and will void your warranty. Read this post as a cautionary tale.
- A current listing for Canon NB-2xx and BP-2xx series batteries

Lenses
- Canon makes specific wide angle and telephoto lenses to match each of their camcorders. Canon lenses do not have an outer filter thread, so you'll have to make a filter sandwhich with the filters in-between the lens and the camcorder.
- Raynox makes some good wide angle and telephoto lenses, and many have outer filter threads. You may need a step up/step down adapter to attach the Raynox lens to your camcorder.
- Century Optics makes several lenses for the Optura series
  - A mini review of the wide angle .55 adapter
- Using 35mm still lenses on the Optura Xi.
Microphones
- Canon
  - DM-50 - Shotgun (stereo). Only works with Canon's Advanced Accessory Shoe. Powered by the camcorder's battery. Cannot be used with other microphones. Must be used ON the camera.
- Rode
  - Videomic - Shotgun. 1/8" connector. Battery powered, with shockmount. Accessories
  - NTG-2 - Shotgun. Dual power: battery or phantom power. Accessories
  - NT3 - Hyper-cardioid condenser. Dual power: battery or phantom.
- Audio Technica
  - AT831b - Cardioid Condenser Lavalier. Dual power: battery or phantom
  - AT899 - Omnidirectional Condenser Lavalier. Dual power: battery or phantom
  - AT897 - Shotgun. Dual power: battery or phantom
  - AT4053a - Hyper-cardioid condenser. Phantom only.
  - AT4073a - Shotgun. Phantom only.
- Sennheiser
  - ME66 - Shotgun. Requires K6 (battery/phantom) or K6P (phantom only) powering modules
  - ME64 - Cardioid. Requires K6 (battery/phantom) or K6P (phantom only) powering modules
XLR Adapters
- Studio 1 Productions - Adapters designed to clip onto your belt. Useful for Opturas that load tapes from the bottom.
- BeachTek - Adapters that attach directly to the bottom of the camcoder. BeachTek also has models that provide phantom power. The DXA-10 model is designed to be mounted or used with a belt clip.
- Stereo mini to XLR cable - Inexpensive way to use battery powered or dynamic XLR mics with short cable runs of 15 feet or less.
- Rode XLR to mini adapter Another inexpensive way to connect battery powered or dynamic mics with short cable runs of 15 feet or less.
Matte Boxes
- Cinetactics Matteblox
Lights
Support & Stabilizers
- Steadicam Merlin
- Video Innovators shoulder support and camcorder handle - You can see an interesting setup for this shoulder support here. And more of their other products

TIPS, TRICKS, & STRATEGIES - Working with your Optura

REVIEWS

Optura 600
Optura 50/60
- CamcorderInfo
- DV Spot
- By DVINFO members
  - Robert Mann Z.
  - Kevin McNerney

ADVISORY NOTICES

Defective Sony CCD chips

VIDEOS MADE WITH THE OPTURA

Pending

August 27th, 2005, 06:15 PM	#1
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Manila, Philippines Posts: 2,343 Images: 32	Canon Optura FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions All right, y'all, This is one stop shopping for all things Optura. Feel free to contribute as much as you like. I'll periodically re-edit the FAQ as it expands. The listings are growing so I'm trying to provide low budget options, next to "investment" type equipment. GENERAL RESOURCES Canon USA DVInfo.net Optura Jr. Watchdog WHERE TO BUY DVInfo.net Sponsors ACCESSORIES - What should I buy for my Optura? Batteries - In addition to Canon, Power 2000, Lenmar, & CTA produce batteries compatible with the Opturas. Using 3rd party batteries is a very common practice among camcorders owners. Be aware that if you send in your Canon camcorder for repair with a 3rd party battery attached, Canon can and will void your warranty. Read this post as a cautionary tale. A current listing for Canon NB-2xx and BP-2xx series batteries Lenses Canon makes specific wide angle and telephoto lenses to match each of their camcorders. Canon lenses do not have an outer filter thread, so you'll have to make a filter sandwhich with the filters in-between the lens and the camcorder. Raynox makes some good wide angle and telephoto lenses, and many have outer filter threads. You may need a step up/step down adapter to attach the Raynox lens to your camcorder. Century Optics makes several lenses for the Optura series A mini review of the wide angle .55 adapter Using 35mm still lenses on the Optura Xi. Microphones Canon DM-50 - Shotgun (stereo). Only works with Canon's Advanced Accessory Shoe. Powered by the camcorder's battery. Cannot be used with other microphones. Must be used ON the camera. Rode Videomic - Shotgun. 1/8" connector. Battery powered, with shockmount. Accessories NTG-2 - Shotgun. Dual power: battery or phantom power. Accessories NT3 - Hyper-cardioid condenser. Dual power: battery or phantom. Audio Technica AT831b - Cardioid Condenser Lavalier. Dual power: battery or phantom AT899 - Omnidirectional Condenser Lavalier. Dual power: battery or phantom AT897 - Shotgun. Dual power: battery or phantom AT4053a - Hyper-cardioid condenser. Phantom only. AT4073a - Shotgun. Phantom only. Sennheiser ME66 - Shotgun. Requires K6 (battery/phantom) or K6P (phantom only) powering modules ME64 - Cardioid. Requires K6 (battery/phantom) or K6P (phantom only) powering modules XLR Adapters Studio 1 Productions - Adapters designed to clip onto your belt. Useful for Opturas that load tapes from the bottom. BeachTek - Adapters that attach directly to the bottom of the camcoder. BeachTek also has models that provide phantom power. The DXA-10 model is designed to be mounted or used with a belt clip. Stereo mini to XLR cable - Inexpensive way to use battery powered or dynamic XLR mics with short cable runs of 15 feet or less. Rode XLR to mini adapter Another inexpensive way to connect battery powered or dynamic mics with short cable runs of 15 feet or less. Matte Boxes Cinetactics Matteblox Lights Low budget lighting article by Scott Spears Canon Video Flash Light VFL-1 Video Light VL-3 Camera Bright LED Lowell Lighting Support & Stabilizers Steadicam Merlin Video Innovators shoulder support and camcorder handle - You can see an interesting setup for this shoulder support here. And more of their other products TIPS, TRICKS, & STRATEGIES - Working with your Optura Optura Tips 01 Optura Tips 02 Using infinity zoom REVIEWS Optura 600 CamcorderInfo Design Technica Videomaker Optura 50/60 CamcorderInfo DV Spot By DVINFO members Robert Mann Z. Kevin McNerney ADVISORY NOTICES Defective Sony CCD chips VIDEOS MADE WITH THE OPTURA Pending __________________ Your instruments: your voice, your body, your imagination. For quick answers: Search dvinfo.net \| The best in the business: dvinfo.net Sponsors

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search