I know I have to sell these wonderful cams but where do I go? Which alternative for this event videographer that has all the XH-A1 features with improved low light.

Which features do you like the most and would absolutely want in a new cam, and is better lowlight the only difference you are looking for or are there some other features that might also be of interest to you?

Well I am not happy that the CCD is gone but would like any 3 chip camera.
It must have at least a 20 zoom.
It must do great autofocus.
I would prefer, but not a game changer, a camera that records to 2 SD's or Compact flash at the same time.
It must do better in low light.
I got spoiled with my wide angle extenders on my XH-A1's.
Lighter than the XH-A1 would be nice but not essential.
It has to be a camcorder. I'm not going to move to a DSLR and all those problems.
Any suggestion greatly appreciated.

Gary - I reluctantly parted with my beloved XH-A1 too. I now shoot with a C100 which covers most of the items on your list. I absolutely love this camera.

Art

Thanks Art. I do own a 18x135 lens for my 70D. I will experiment with the dual pixel which is on the C100 and my 70D. But This lens is only 7.5 mag when I need at least 20x. The auto focus system using the 18x135 is also a concern but worth experimenting with.
The dual SD is great and I do like the footprint of the C100.
I appreciate opening my mind to an alternative.

The biggest drawback for me for both my XH-A1 and XH-A1S was using tape. A lot of my work is long duration, two camera shoots. Changing tapes after 60 minutes was a pain. The 80 minute tapes were still a pain, and much more expensive. Plus capturing tapes took too long. And turning over footage on the spot to a client was not convenient. And, I liked the convenience of cards that I experienced using client's own cameras.

So, I bought two DataVideo DN-60 compact flash recorders with several 32 GB cards that hold 2 hrs. 24 minutes of footage. I've been using them for about 2 years now, without a single problem. Not a single lost frame, not a single drop out. And I get to continue using the two cameras that I'm really, really, really used to. I like the ergonomics of those two cameras. I just wished they used cards instead of tape, like the XF300 and 305s, which I've used. That would be more convenient than the card recorders, but not worth the difference in price to upgrade.

By the way, I'm still driving my 11 year old diesel Jetta I bought new. 7 years without a payment and it's as reliable as a new car. Likewise, both my A1 and A1S have been paid for for a long time, and are very reliable. IMHO, the new cameras are better, but not as much better as the hype says.

Plus, I saved a lot of money over buying a matched pair of new cameras with the 3 control rings, etc. Plus, I saved myself a lot of hassle because there was no need to get a new computer or upgrading the NLE software either. And, the DN-60 can be formatted NTFS so you can have a single, continuous file if you so wish.

So, you might consider keeping your "wonderful" A1. And as for the low light, the lights I've bought were a good investment. Well lit footage looks better than poorly lit footage, whatever camera you use.

Roger It is so funny but I forgot to say I also have DN-60's, three in fact for three XH-A1's. The DN-60 is a finicky device that needs you to follow a specific order when starting the A1 and stopping it. The difference with me is I still use tape and only use the Compact Flash DN-60 if I have a problem.
I do have 100 plus new tapes so am good that way. Low light is the major problem but it is not worth the price of the new cameras.
Wait till they die should be my answer.

The eternal question - what next.

Within the Canon line:

At a lower end I've found the XA20 to work well for events compared to the XHA1, but it is step down in overall features.

The New XF200 might be a close match for features. While not 3-chip, it is much better than the single chip camcorders from the DV days. If you can, check it out.

This XF200 reminds me of my old DVC30 body. Features are good. I am concerned with the single chip in the XF200 but will read the reviews. Thanks.

The XF300 isn't exactly new, and it only has an 18x zoom lens, but it's 3-chip and records to CF cards. One of the issues with current fixed lens cams that I am seeing is that the 3-chip models tend to have their own media (SxS for Sony and microP2 for Panasonic). The options are rather limited for those that record to standard SD and CF cards.

Of course it is still a bit of an unknown until it hits the streets, but what about the new Panasonic DVX200?
While the lens is a little shorter than you have mentioned you are after, it is 4k so punching in in post would be a possibility. Actually if you are shooting for HD, then the lens could be considered a 26x lens!
My XH A1 sits in the cupboard now, i only ever use it if i need to get footage from a tape. It was a lovely camera in its day for sure. Some of the footage i have captured with it, still holds its own against other newer cameras i own, but its low light performance really does let it down when compared to today's cameras.
I too would look into the XF200, it may well be the perfect replacement for the XH A1? As Don has mentioned, the XA20 lacks a lot of features if you are coming from a cam like the XH A1. It is a heck of a lot smaller & lighter though!

Oops, sorry! Just saw the ETA on the Panasonic DVX200. Not until the fall.

XF200 sounded good until I read the negative low light reviews. If I am to retire my trusty A1 low light recording MUST be better.

Roger It is so funny but I forgot to say I also have DN-60's, three in fact for three XH-A1's. The DN-60 is a finicky device that needs you to follow a specific order when starting the A1 and stopping it. The difference with me is I still use tape and only use the Compact Flash DN-60 if I have a problem.
I do have 100 plus new tapes so am good that way. Low light is the major problem but it is not worth the price of the new cameras.
Wait till they die should be my answer.

Hi Greg,

My DN-60s were a little finicky when I was using tape, and I still had the problem of needing to change tapes on long shoots. So I decided to try going completely tapeless. Guess what? The DN-60s quit being so finicky. Don't know why. But I don't care either. Just happy to have less problems to deal with.

Good luck on trying to find a camcorder better in low light. Maybe an Ex-1 or Ex-3. People who have them seem to be holding on to them. I upgraded DSLR for stills, and the newer one shoots video. I'm experimenting a little. Maybe in a few months I can use it on paid video shoots. Not in a hurry. Too busy right now trying to turn out the work to practice enough to become proficient using it.

Come to think of it, I did have trouble with an off brand CF card I bought locally when no SanDisk CF cards were available. I had just bought the first DN-60 and thought it was the recorder acting up. Once my order of cards and the second recorder came in I ordered online, I've had NO troubles with the two DN-60s ever when using CF cards on the approved list from DataVideo. I pitched the troublesome card. Over a hundred bucks wasted. (Yeah, it had a moneyback guarantee, from the manufacturer in Taiwan). Live and learn.

I have several boxes of new tapes, just in case one of my recorders dies while on a shoot. I have no intentions of putting a tape in either of my cameras until I need too.

Now I just turn on recorder first, then camera, turn off recorder first, then camera. Units usually synch within 20 seconds or so. Sometimes the A1S takes a second try to synch. So far (two years), not a big deal.

hi everyone...I too loved my XHA1s for nearly five years...even with a broken handstrap! with decent lighting ,a nice picture preset and low gain it sure gave me rich footage- then I got anxious about an upgrade...I looked at the Sony EX1r but the thought of changing all my batteries and using Sony's proprietary recording media discouraged me even if the EX1 footage was better..
finally I bought a used XF300 nearly mint and I can say that with decent lighting and a good picture profile it gives me better footage than my XHA1s- I even used them both in a wedding and the XHA1s footage was a lot softer but I only used it on a wide angle..
But honestly the XF300 is now low light champion but I always use some light-no way around that.
I also got a XF100 and again with a picture preset and low gain it can give good footage. I even found a preset on the net that would match very closely a canon XF300 to a XF100 (XF match?) and that has helped me a lot for those 2 camera shoots (concerts for example). In fact, I will shoot a chorus concert with both the Canon XF300 and XF100 and also a Canon 70D (with the 18-135mm STM lens) this weekend- the stage lights should give me room to use f5.6 or higher on the 70D and if I set it to a wide angle then I can use the XF100 for a medium shot (only 10X zoom) and the XF300 for the close ups (18X zoom)...I just place the XF cameras side by side and leave the 70D unmanned aftter setting up at the beginning...wish me luck!

I have been eyeing the Canon C100- I have used it a few times at the TV station I work for in Toronto and I found the footage crisp and vivid for sure...I just don't like the AVCHD workflow at all... I wish it was
easier to use (I still use FCP 7 but I have Premiere 5.5 on my imac)...
I just can't justify a new camera for my part-time business but if I had to "upgrade" I would go for the Canon C100 mkii with the autofocus and maybe a Ninja recorder...big expense really...can't say that it would increase my business income...it would be awesome!!! oh yes...
so that's my experience...myXHA1s is on my shelf...may try to sell it...doubt I would get much for it...
E

hi everyone...I too loved my XHA1s for nearly five years...even with a broken handstrap! with decent lighting ,a nice picture preset and low gain it sure gave me rich footage- then I got anxious about an upgrade...I looked at the Sony EX1r but the thought of changing all my batteries and using Sony's proprietary recording media discouraged me even if the EX1 footage was better..
finally I bought a used XF300 nearly mint and I can say that with decent lighting and a good picture profile it gives me better footage than my XHA1s- I even used them both in a wedding and the XHA1s footage was a lot softer but I only used it on a wide angle..
But honestly the XF300 is now low light champion but I always use some light-no way around that.
I also got a XF100 and again with a picture preset and low gain it can give good footage. I even found a preset on the net that would match very closely a canon XF300 to a XF100 (XF match?) and that has helped me a lot for those 2 camera shoots (concerts for example). In fact, I will shoot a chorus concert with both the Canon XF300 and XF100 and also a Canon 70D (with the 18-135mm STM lens) this weekend- the stage lights should give me room to use f5.6 or higher on the 70D and if I set it to a wide angle then I can use the XF100 for a medium shot (only 10X zoom) and the XF300 for the close ups (18X zoom)...I just place the XF cameras side by side and leave the 70D unmanned aftter setting up at the beginning...wish me luck!

I have been eyeing the Canon C100- I have used it a few times at the TV station I work for in Toronto and I found the footage crisp and vivid for sure...I just don't like the AVCHD workflow at all... I wish it was
easier to use (I still use FCP 7 but I have Premiere 5.5 on my imac)...
I just can't justify a new camera for my part-time business but if I had to "upgrade" I would go for the Canon C100 mkii with the autofocus and maybe a Ninja recorder...big expense really...can't say that it would increase my business income...it would be awesome!!! oh yes...
so that's my experience...myXHA1s is on my shelf...may try to sell it...doubt I would get much for it...
E

Eric let us know how you do with the 70D. I just got one but haven't attempted video yet.

Hi Greg.It will be at a theatre so it should have decent stage lighting-not ultra low I hope...I will lower the saturation on the 70D and keep some sharpness so that I have a chance to match the XF cameras.I'm mostly a one man band but may have an assistant this time. The XF codec with the XF300/100 doesn't require transcoding for editing but I will transcode the H264 from the Canon 70D to Pro res LT so that I can edit the 3 cameras easier.
I guess there's a lot of use for small sensor cameras in events but cameras such as the Canon C100/300 may useful for events AND narrative which is awesome but I don't get many narrative projects yet.
The cost for a new C100mkii is a bit much for me now...not sure I would get better paying clients to justify the cost But it would be FREAKING AWESOME!

hello everyone...well..My concert shoot went well! It was 2 sets of 55 minutes each part.
I used the Canon XF100 wide and the Canon XF300 for CU (longer zoom) and also the Canon 70D for medium shots of the band mostly and outdoor shots...also a my gopro hero 3 for some short timelapse etc...
I got the XF300/100 to match very close but not perfectly but close and mouted them on tripods side by side so that I could operate them-some reframing etc-these cameras worked flawlessly as always- I shot at 1080 30fps and there was enough lighting on the stage-some portions of the concert were dimmer but I never went over 6db gain...
The Canon 70D had the 18-135 lens on it at f5.6, 1080p 30fps at 1600ISO. Also mounted on a tripod.
About the 70D- it worked fine...mostly. It recorded for 30 minutes(created 2 files that match frame perfectly) then I hit record again and it recorded for 20 minutes or so before turning off due to a bit of overheating! yep...it got a bit hot even with the LCD in the open..but I didn't lose footage-Now I know it won't record non stop! No problems...the XF cameras gave me enough coverage and the footage from the 70D is enough to add some variety to the concert.
I also had a friend bring his Canon XHA1 for some stage level footage. I tried to adjust it as much as possible but the footage I reviewed looks more grainy than the XF cameras and a bit over-exposed-could be the videographer...hmm...I may or may not use some of it..

Here is a short intro to the Concert-needs some work but I like it so far..not bad for a one man band I think. Not time to do some multicamera editing...

Ambiance Singers
In Concert with The Ambiance Singers- show open- coming soon - YouTube

I am impressed. Angles, speeds, musical clarity and variety. The customer should be impressed.

thank you Greg. This short intro doesn't have any of the audio recorded during the concert as this is just a quick opening montage so I used some stock music to do the montage.
I recorded the live audio via XLR directly from the audio set up at the Theatre and they did a decent enough job but not CD quality...I will do my best to make it sound good but my actual videotaping looks good. I think some minor colour correction might be useful but i got good angles with the main 2 cameras and some alternate shots with the 70D. I don't think my XHA1s would have done any better...my friend's XHA1 needed more calibration but even under the same lighting conditions the footage looks too contrasty and definitely more grainy...I do set the noise reduction on the XF cameras to level 2..and I use custom pics on both cameras to get them close. Might consider the C100 mkII in the future for production work such as this. A longer lens 55-270mm might be neeed for closer shots.I have effectively retired the XHA1s. May try to sell it for cheap...
erick

Hello all,

I too love my Canon XH-A1. I've had it since November of 2006.

While I have zero complaints about the picture quality I am done with using tapes.

I've sent the camera in to Canon twice for a tune up but the drop frames are just too annoying for words anymore.

I've tried the Canon XA10 and in good light the performance is actually great for me. But once I get in lower light situations I want my XHA1 again.

Seems like the Canon XF300 is the obvious next camera for me. But then I saw this Sony HXR-NX3.

Anyone else considering that camera?

I just edited a dance video with three XH-A1's. I cleaned all cameras before the shoot and got NO drop outs. Ironically I have always used dry TDK tapes since 06. I also have never had any break downs.
I kind of wished it hadn't acted so well!
I see no point. In putting money into an XF300. Their way too old. If I want old I'll stick with my XH-A1's for now.
Plus having the DN60 backups gives me a secure feeling.