xl1s

Afonso Campos · February 18th, 2004, 03:49 PM

so far for this price the only thing going for this camera is it's lens changing ability...

negative points:
- bad in low light
- gain jumps from 0 to 6dB
- no xlr inputs
- no LCD
- focusing problems
- not very sharp image
- so so resolution
- very poor headphone jack..

i'm really considering selling it... but i don't want to lose mone ... someone please, give me reasons to not sell it...

help!

Rob Lohman · February 18th, 2004, 04:26 PM

I'm sorry to say this, but I don't think you did a very good job
of looking at the camera before buying, because you would've
known it didn't have a flipout LCD screen or XLR inputs.

Secondly, it is a prosumer camera, don't expect too much from
the auto controls:

1. all camera's are bad in low-light. The XL1S is actually pretty acceptable. But there are better camera's for that. If you go full manual you can get a pretty decent performance. Research before buying might have pointed you to a better low-light camera

2. then you are running the camera in auto mode or left the gain on auto. I have my gain always at -3 db in full manual and it never jumps

3. that is correct. There are several appliances you can get to get XLR in on the XL1 range. As said, research had told you this before buying

4. same as 3, seperate screen available

5. mostly only during zooming and on some low contrast stuff. Run it in manual focus mode (almost always better anyway)

6. that depends on how you are shooting. In interlaced it shoot be pretty sharp and otherwise you can always turn up the sharpness a notch under custom presets. Canon's have a tendency to be a bit softer. Most people like those for it usually is closer to film than video

7. that also depends on what mode you are using. If you shoot at interlaced with a 1/60 shutter at f5.6 you'll have very good resolution. Again, with research you could've seen how much pixels are on the CCD's if that is your concern

8. what's bad about the headphone jack? That's the first time I've heard someone complain about it

Afonso Campos · February 18th, 2004, 05:02 PM

i knew the camera didn't have XLR inputs or LCD when I bought it... I just never thought they would be so handy.

as for the gain thing i meant that on the controls there is no setting between 0 and 6.

about the headphone jack... i've heard many people complain.. the sound that comes out is just too soft.. not loud enough

Jeff Donald · February 18th, 2004, 05:06 PM

The headphone issue if probably due to not matching the sensitivity and impedance properly. I have no problems with the Sony headphones I use. Canon makes several adapters to add XLR connections.

Frank Granovski · February 18th, 2004, 07:12 PM

You know, over the years I've come to appreciate the XL1 and XL1s, especially with the "rich" footage they capture.

Heath McKnight · February 19th, 2004, 12:34 AM

Frank and all,

I've shot several shorts and a feature (plus oen feature we shelved):

1. SKYE FALLING (2001)

2. PUSH/PULL (2003)

3. A REMINDER (2004)

4. SUZY'S OUT (2004)

These are movies, except SUZY, that have gotten into film fests and on movie screens in digital format. It always looked killer, even when we shot stuff in dim lighting. The XL-1, which I still use a friend's (I sold mine to buy the JVC HDV camera), is a GREAT camera! That doesn't include other things I've done, like TV shows, documentary stuff, etc.

heath

Charles Papert · February 19th, 2004, 01:11 PM

As much as I admire the DVX-100 for its many great features and great resolution, I'm still convinced that the XL1 delivers the most pleasing skin tones. This is not something that can be detailed in a technical spec or quantified simply as a "warmer" color palette, it's an entirely subjective thing. Most video cameras (including Panasonic and Sony) tend to "gray out" faces when underexposing, the Canon seems to retain the color better.

Keith Loh · February 19th, 2004, 01:12 PM

The Mini35 adaptors and other extensions give the XL1/S new life. Take a look at Oliver's superb film:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=21567

Adam Burtle · February 19th, 2004, 01:32 PM

you forgot the best trait of all. people in public will walk up to you when you're shooting and say, "wow that's a nice camera!" haha.

Don Berube · February 19th, 2004, 02:03 PM

Hi Alfonso,

For what it is worth, I really don't have any issue with the sensitivity on the Xl1S. Compared to the cameras I have used previously, it is a treat to use. Think of the Xl1S as having an ISO rating of around 320 ISO. On that note, I shoot in -3db most of the time. I'm not a big fan of using no lighting at all. I also mostly shoot in Frame Mode, unless it is for ENG broadcast.

- don

Chris Hurd · February 20th, 2004, 11:09 AM

Alfonso

One of the best features of the XL1S system is its modular design and "open architecture" system. Need XLR inputs? Simply add them. Need an LCD display? Just add it. My own XL1 is equipped with XLR inputs and a 5.5" LCD screen, and there's no reason why yours can't be similarly configured.

February 18th, 2004, 03:49 PM	#1
Afonso Campos New Boot Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Irvine, California Posts: 17	xl1s - was it a mistake? so far for this price the only thing going for this camera is it's lens changing ability... negative points: - bad in low light - gain jumps from 0 to 6dB - no xlr inputs - no LCD - focusing problems - not very sharp image - so so resolution - very poor headphone jack.. i'm really considering selling it... but i don't want to lose mone ... someone please, give me reasons to not sell it... help!

February 18th, 2004, 04:26 PM	#2
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	I'm sorry to say this, but I don't think you did a very good job of looking at the camera before buying, because you would've known it didn't have a flipout LCD screen or XLR inputs. Secondly, it is a prosumer camera, don't expect too much from the auto controls: 1. all camera's are bad in low-light. The XL1S is actually pretty acceptable. But there are better camera's for that. If you go full manual you can get a pretty decent performance. Research before buying might have pointed you to a better low-light camera 2. then you are running the camera in auto mode or left the gain on auto. I have my gain always at -3 db in full manual and it never jumps 3. that is correct. There are several appliances you can get to get XLR in on the XL1 range. As said, research had told you this before buying 4. same as 3, seperate screen available 5. mostly only during zooming and on some low contrast stuff. Run it in manual focus mode (almost always better anyway) 6. that depends on how you are shooting. In interlaced it shoot be pretty sharp and otherwise you can always turn up the sharpness a notch under custom presets. Canon's have a tendency to be a bit softer. Most people like those for it usually is closer to film than video 7. that also depends on what mode you are using. If you shoot at interlaced with a 1/60 shutter at f5.6 you'll have very good resolution. Again, with research you could've seen how much pixels are on the CCD's if that is your concern 8. what's bad about the headphone jack? That's the first time I've heard someone complain about it __________________ 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

February 18th, 2004, 05:06 PM	#4
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	The headphone issue if probably due to not matching the sensitivity and impedance properly. I have no problems with the Sony headphones I use. Canon makes several adapters to add XLR connections. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

February 19th, 2004, 12:34 AM	#6
Heath McKnight MPS Digital Studios Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 8,531	Frank and all, I've shot several shorts and a feature (plus oen feature we shelved): 1. SKYE FALLING (2001) 2. PUSH/PULL (2003) 3. A REMINDER (2004) 4. SUZY'S OUT (2004) These are movies, except SUZY, that have gotten into film fests and on movie screens in digital format. It always looked killer, even when we shot stuff in dim lighting. The XL-1, which I still use a friend's (I sold mine to buy the JVC HDV camera), is a GREAT camera! That doesn't include other things I've done, like TV shows, documentary stuff, etc. heath __________________ My Final Cut Pro X blog

February 19th, 2004, 01:11 PM	#7
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	As much as I admire the DVX-100 for its many great features and great resolution, I'm still convinced that the XL1 delivers the most pleasing skin tones. This is not something that can be detailed in a technical spec or quantified simply as a "warmer" color palette, it's an entirely subjective thing. Most video cameras (including Panasonic and Sony) tend to "gray out" faces when underexposing, the Canon seems to retain the color better. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

February 18th, 2004, 05:02 PM	#3
Afonso Campos New Boot Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Irvine, California Posts: 17	i knew the camera didn't have XLR inputs or LCD when I bought it... I just never thought they would be so handy. as for the gain thing i meant that on the controls there is no setting between 0 and 6. about the headphone jack... i've heard many people complain.. the sound that comes out is just too soft.. not loud enough

February 18th, 2004, 07:12 PM	#5
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	You know, over the years I've come to appreciate the XL1 and XL1s, especially with the "rich" footage they capture.

February 19th, 2004, 01:12 PM	#8
Keith Loh Air China Pilot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Posts: 2,389	The Mini35 adaptors and other extensions give the XL1/S new life. Take a look at Oliver's superb film: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=21567 __________________ -- Visit http://www.KeithLoh.com \| stuff about living in Vancouver \| My Flickr photo gallery

February 19th, 2004, 01:32 PM	#9
Adam Burtle Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 173	you forgot the best trait of all. people in public will walk up to you when you're shooting and say, "wow that's a nice camera!" haha.

February 19th, 2004, 02:03 PM	#10
Don Berube Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Boston, MA (travel frequently) Posts: 837	Hi Alfonso, For what it is worth, I really don't have any issue with the sensitivity on the Xl1S. Compared to the cameras I have used previously, it is a treat to use. Think of the Xl1S as having an ISO rating of around 320 ISO. On that note, I shoot in -3db most of the time. I'm not a big fan of using no lighting at all. I also mostly shoot in Frame Mode, unless it is for ENG broadcast. - don __________________ DONALD BERUBE - noisybrain. Productions, LLC Director Of Photography/ Producer/ Consultant http://noisybrain.com/donbio.html CREATE and NETWORK with http://www.bosfcpug.org and also http://fcpugnetwork.org

February 20th, 2004, 11:09 AM	#11
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Alfonso One of the best features of the XL1S system is its modular design and "open architecture" system. Need XLR inputs? Simply add them. Need an LCD display? Just add it. My own XL1 is equipped with XLR inputs and a 5.5" LCD screen, and there's no reason why yours can't be similarly configured. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!