XL1 / XL1S various posts

Rob Lohman · May 8th, 2002, 02:23 AM

I know there are signal cleaners available. These go between
the power adapter and the power grid. These things clear out
any noise and make sure the signal is withing allowed limits.

Other than that I suggest getting a large battery, this is usually
better anyway since you can move the camera anywhere anytime
without worrying about cables (for power at least) and such....

Staale Pedersen · May 8th, 2002, 07:59 AM

Is something wrong - or is it just me ?

Every body is talking about the great image quality of the XL1. Well I just don’t know. When filming in a massive light set up indoor studio I will agree the overall picture quality looks stunning, but when it comes to outdoor shooting in great sunlight, I find it almost impossible to get an acceptable picture quality, and am not going to mention focusing difficulties as that seems to be an acceptable problem with the XL1, not s.

Could it be the camera?

When shooting outdoor early in the morning or late evening things seems to produce an acceptable result. As long I stay away from the build in ND filter on the lens. When filming in mid day, problems don’t seems to stop. First of all; pictures seems to be washed out with absolutely no picture contrast, and turning on the ND filter (or a POL filter) to reduce light slightly (zebra strips is still visible in the EVF in some light area, as the sky and my white car), noise will appear as if I where night shooting with absolutely no key light.

Should I manage to set the camera controls just right for the picture quality that I would like to receive; lets say its a sunny day and my camera settings would be: ND filter ON, -3db (or AUTO), F5.2/50, Wide angle shoot and every thing looks just fine and then, a lonely cloud moves in front of the sun reducing the overall light and what happens: the picture will look grainy and noisy again. You don’t se this in the EVF, so you think every thing is just ok, maybe a little darker, but that’s just natural because of the cloud, until you watch it on a monitor, and you have to go out there to re-shoot the footage because of picture noise. Pretty annoying I should say.

Is this normal ?, How should I operate the camera whiteout carrying around a monitor for every shoot I take. Please give me some advice so I can start not to worry every time I get paid for a critical one-time-shoot.

I have been using the XL1 professionally for 2 years now, and I like it, but it have got me in to trouble too many times now - one time with a burned out pixel on the CCD chip in the middle of a concert - so the camera have just been checked . Therefore I have to wonder if my camera skills lack knowledge when it comes to operating it. Please help me out here!

Don Palomaki · May 8th, 2002, 01:56 PM

Are you using unbalanced high impdance connection? That is the worst possible configuration for noise pickup. It may be coupling into the audio leads from the A/C supply leads. For running any audio in a studio or other location with lots of wiring, best to use balanced audio as much as possible, and go with low impedance if you can. You may also need a ground lifter on the balanced audio.

Battery power is generally lower noise. Have several batteries and chargers going to keep fresh batteries available.

Frank Granovski · May 8th, 2002, 06:58 PM

You can always extend it (raise it), or mount it on your tripod or pole.

Kairat Salikhov · May 9th, 2002, 01:35 AM

Hi there profs,

I placed an order for the following:

1 SEEW101PC

EW101P(C) Camera Mountable UHF Plug-On Wireless System with EK100
Receiver and SKP100 Plug-On Transmitter

2 ELND767A
N/D767A Super-Cardioid Handheld Dynamic N/DYM Vocal Microphone

well every piece is worth to me.

I've decided to go with this setup as I won't need lavalier mics in my shootings yet. But this hanheld from Electro voice can be used as wireless with plug-on transmitter.

After reading so much on this board I think I made a right decision on the setup.

Tell me your impressions, err what's your take?

Kairat Salikhov

Andrew Leigh · May 11th, 2002, 11:43 AM

Hi,

just got my Frezzi Mini Dimmer Fill. Any secrets on WB when using on cam lights?

Cheers
Andrew

Eduardo Mayen · May 13th, 2002, 12:20 AM

Im planning on shooting a short using the XL1 with a Fujinon Lens. I plan to transfer my footage to film at Swiss Effects. What do i have to keep in mind when capturing my original image? Will the NTSC be as good as the PAL? Can I play with the Shutter Speed? What happens if i play with the gain? Is the laser or the analog transfer better for this format? If anybody has gone film from XL1 DV let me know what your results were.

Chris Hurd · May 13th, 2002, 07:06 AM

Eduardo, you need to read the four-part DV to 35mm Guide on the Watchdog. Go to www.dvinfo.net/xl1.htm and click "Articles Menu" then "Post Production." The link to the Guide may be found there.

MusarInteractive · May 13th, 2002, 08:12 AM

Hello XL1 fans,

A while ago I heard rumors (on this message board, I think) about a newer version of the XL series of Canon DV cams coming out sometime soon.

Is there any late breaking news on this front?

I just looked at Panasonic's description of their AG-DVX100 scheduled to be released this September (only 4 months away!) for a manufacturers list price of $3,495! 24p DV, no less! I'm hoping Canon responds to this with a killer XL upgrade.

Tim

Chris Hurd · May 13th, 2002, 10:37 AM

Hello Tim,

You'll find a huge thread about the new Panasonic 24P camcorder in the General DV forum... just do a search for it. Since the XL1S came out only last July, I doubt there will be any replacement for it soon. However, I have a *feeling* that the GL1 is about to be replaced shortly, and that's what a lot of us are waiting to see. Hope this helps,

May 14th, 2002, 03:54 PM

Wonder if anyone can give me advice on buying this tripod for in the field use for My XL1s...
Is the trigger grip effective, and as versatile as they claim...
I will need to move the camera around alot on the tripod to follow action, but still want to be able to pan. Any views from you guys in the know? I can buy the tripod New for the equivalent of $200 in South Africa.

Thanks once again
Brin

May 15th, 2002, 08:00 PM

I need suggestions on how to record a live band, I've gotten the optics down, and the gl1's onboard mic is horribly overdriven with bass and overall sounds terrible in smaller venues. How should I go about getting quality live audio? Thanks in advance, Max

Chris Hurd · May 16th, 2002, 10:55 AM

Howdy from Texas,

That 3265 head is *not* going to work well with your XL1S at all. A friend of mine who is a pro photographer has one and it is great for still photography but lousy for video. You will not be able to smoothly pan with it. It is intended only for still photography and will give poor results for video cameras because it cannot pan or tilt smoothly like a true video head will.

Consider the Bogen Manfrotto 503 head, it's perfect for the XL1S.

In my opinion the 3205 sticks are not enough of a tripod for the XL1S. They're fine for still photo cameras but you should consider a larger tripod for video cameras and get one with a mid-level spreader. Bogen makes a number of affordable video tripods. We've discussed tripods here before; do a search on tripods to turn up all the various threads on this board. Hope this helps,

Don Palomaki · May 16th, 2002, 02:24 PM

Please see reply in the "Son of Watchdog GL1 Pages."

May 20th, 2002, 08:50 AM

Hola ¿alguien habla español?

Necesito saber donde puedo comprar un funda para la lluvia para la CANON XL1 en España no la encuentro.

gracias ;)

May 8th, 2002, 02:23 AM	#286
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	I know there are signal cleaners available. These go between the power adapter and the power grid. These things clear out any noise and make sure the signal is withing allowed limits. Other than that I suggest getting a large battery, this is usually better anyway since you can move the camera anywhere anytime without worrying about cables (for power at least) and such.... __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

May 8th, 2002, 07:59 AM	#287
Staale Pedersen Tourist Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 3	Picture noise Is something wrong - or is it just me ? Every body is talking about the great image quality of the XL1. Well I just don’t know. When filming in a massive light set up indoor studio I will agree the overall picture quality looks stunning, but when it comes to outdoor shooting in great sunlight, I find it almost impossible to get an acceptable picture quality, and am not going to mention focusing difficulties as that seems to be an acceptable problem with the XL1, not s. Could it be the camera? When shooting outdoor early in the morning or late evening things seems to produce an acceptable result. As long I stay away from the build in ND filter on the lens. When filming in mid day, problems don’t seems to stop. First of all; pictures seems to be washed out with absolutely no picture contrast, and turning on the ND filter (or a POL filter) to reduce light slightly (zebra strips is still visible in the EVF in some light area, as the sky and my white car), noise will appear as if I where night shooting with absolutely no key light. Should I manage to set the camera controls just right for the picture quality that I would like to receive; lets say its a sunny day and my camera settings would be: ND filter ON, -3db (or AUTO), F5.2/50, Wide angle shoot and every thing looks just fine and then, a lonely cloud moves in front of the sun reducing the overall light and what happens: the picture will look grainy and noisy again. You don’t se this in the EVF, so you think every thing is just ok, maybe a little darker, but that’s just natural because of the cloud, until you watch it on a monitor, and you have to go out there to re-shoot the footage because of picture noise. Pretty annoying I should say. Is this normal ?, How should I operate the camera whiteout carrying around a monitor for every shoot I take. Please give me some advice so I can start not to worry every time I get paid for a critical one-time-shoot. I have been using the XL1 professionally for 2 years now, and I like it, but it have got me in to trouble too many times now - one time with a burned out pixel on the CCD chip in the middle of a concert - so the camera have just been checked . Therefore I have to wonder if my camera skills lack knowledge when it comes to operating it. Please help me out here!

May 9th, 2002, 01:35 AM	#290
Kairat Salikhov Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Kazakhstan - USA Posts: 32	How's this choice for wireless and handheld? Hi there profs, I placed an order for the following: 1 SEEW101PC EW101P(C) Camera Mountable UHF Plug-On Wireless System with EK100 Receiver and SKP100 Plug-On Transmitter 2 ELND767A N/D767A Super-Cardioid Handheld Dynamic N/DYM Vocal Microphone well every piece is worth to me. I've decided to go with this setup as I won't need lavalier mics in my shootings yet. But this hanheld from Electro voice can be used as wireless with plug-on transmitter. After reading so much on this board I think I made a right decision on the setup. Tell me your impressions, err what's your take? Kairat Salikhov __________________ XL1s PAL, wide angle lens, all things lightwave, MA200. Dual AMD MP1900+, 1gig of RAM, Canopus DVStorm, Nvidia Quadro4 750XGL, Promise IDE Raid.

May 11th, 2002, 11:43 AM	#291
Andrew Leigh Major Player Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa Posts: 220	WB and artificial light ? Hi, just got my Frezzi Mini Dimmer Fill. Any secrets on WB when using on cam lights? Cheers Andrew __________________ PAL XL-1, DV Raptor, Premiere TOTAL AMATEUR - DOING IT FOR THE FUN

May 13th, 2002, 12:20 AM	#292
Eduardo Mayen Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: LAs Vegas Posts: 32	Going from XL1 DV to FILM Im planning on shooting a short using the XL1 with a Fujinon Lens. I plan to transfer my footage to film at Swiss Effects. What do i have to keep in mind when capturing my original image? Will the NTSC be as good as the PAL? Can I play with the Shutter Speed? What happens if i play with the gain? Is the laser or the analog transfer better for this format? If anybody has gone film from XL1 DV let me know what your results were. __________________ Eduardo

May 8th, 2002, 01:56 PM	#288
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,487	Are you using unbalanced high impdance connection? That is the worst possible configuration for noise pickup. It may be coupling into the audio leads from the A/C supply leads. For running any audio in a studio or other location with lots of wiring, best to use balanced audio as much as possible, and go with low impedance if you can. You may also need a ground lifter on the balanced audio. Battery power is generally lower noise. Have several batteries and chargers going to keep fresh batteries available.

May 8th, 2002, 06:58 PM	#289
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	You can always extend it (raise it), or mount it on your tripod or pole.

May 13th, 2002, 07:06 AM	#293
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Eduardo, you need to read the four-part DV to 35mm Guide on the Watchdog. Go to www.dvinfo.net/xl1.htm and click "Articles Menu" then "Post Production." The link to the Guide may be found there. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

May 13th, 2002, 08:12 AM	#294
MusarInteractive New Boot Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Franconia NH 03580 USA Posts: 19	Any More News related to XL2 Rumor? Hello XL1 fans, A while ago I heard rumors (on this message board, I think) about a newer version of the XL series of Canon DV cams coming out sometime soon. Is there any late breaking news on this front? I just looked at Panasonic's description of their AG-DVX100 scheduled to be released this September (only 4 months away!) for a manufacturers list price of $3,495! 24p DV, no less! I'm hoping Canon responds to this with a killer XL upgrade. Tim

May 13th, 2002, 10:37 AM	#295
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Hello Tim, You'll find a huge thread about the new Panasonic 24P camcorder in the General DV forum... just do a search for it. Since the XL1S came out only last July, I doubt there will be any replacement for it soon. However, I have a feeling that the GL1 is about to be replaced shortly, and that's what a lot of us are waiting to see. Hope this helps, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

May 14th, 2002, 03:54 PM	#296
kushnerb Posts: n/a	Manfrotto 3265g Head + 3205g Wonder if anyone can give me advice on buying this tripod for in the field use for My XL1s... Is the trigger grip effective, and as versatile as they claim... I will need to move the camera around alot on the tripod to follow action, but still want to be able to pan. Any views from you guys in the know? I can buy the tripod New for the equivalent of $200 in South Africa. Thanks once again Brin

May 15th, 2002, 08:00 PM	#297
HVproductions Posts: n/a	Live recording I need suggestions on how to record a live band, I've gotten the optics down, and the gl1's onboard mic is horribly overdriven with bass and overall sounds terrible in smaller venues. How should I go about getting quality live audio? Thanks in advance, Max

May 16th, 2002, 10:55 AM	#298
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Howdy from Texas, That 3265 head is not going to work well with your XL1S at all. A friend of mine who is a pro photographer has one and it is great for still photography but lousy for video. You will not be able to smoothly pan with it. It is intended only for still photography and will give poor results for video cameras because it cannot pan or tilt smoothly like a true video head will. Consider the Bogen Manfrotto 503 head, it's perfect for the XL1S. In my opinion the 3205 sticks are not enough of a tripod for the XL1S. They're fine for still photo cameras but you should consider a larger tripod for video cameras and get one with a mid-level spreader. Bogen makes a number of affordable video tripods. We've discussed tripods here before; do a search on tripods to turn up all the various threads on this board. Hope this helps, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

May 16th, 2002, 02:24 PM	#299
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,487	Please see reply in the "Son of Watchdog GL1 Pages."

May 20th, 2002, 08:50 AM	#300
melenas90 Posts: n/a	rain cover Hola ¿alguien habla español? Necesito saber donde puedo comprar un funda para la lluvia para la CANON XL1 en España no la encuentro. gracias ;)