Stabalization at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > Canon EOS / MXF / AVCHD / HDV / DV Camera Systems > Canon HDV and DV Camera Systems > Canon XL and GL Series DV Camcorders > Canon GL Series DV Camcorders

Canon GL Series DV Camcorders
Canon GL2, GL1 and PAL versions XM2, XM1.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old November 22nd, 2004, 11:34 AM   #1
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Dana Point, California
Posts: 63
Stabalization

I used a sony camcorder, and it seemed to have a better stabalization than my gl2. Is there a certin option that i need to turn on to have my GL2 take stable video, i have a shaky hand so thats why i ask.. thanks.
Matt Hagest is offline   Reply With Quote
Old November 22nd, 2004, 11:43 AM   #2
Retired DV Info Net Almunus
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 6,943
The Canon OIS system is pretty good. In fact, Sony licensed it for their cameras' lenses at one time (and may still).

- Make sure you have turned the IS system on (see your manual).
- Shoot wider...zoom with your feet whenever possible.
- Use a tripod or similar mechanical stabilizer whenever possible.
__________________
Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission.

Hey, you don't have enough stuff!
Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really!

See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com
Ken Tanaka is offline   Reply With Quote
Old November 22nd, 2004, 06:24 PM   #3
Wrangler
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 4,487
Keep in mind that the greater the zoom setting the more difficult it is to provide image stabalization. Camcorders with lower zoom may appear to have more effective stabilization.
__________________
dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com
Don Palomaki is offline   Reply With Quote
Old November 22nd, 2004, 07:28 PM   #4
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Shreveport, LA
Posts: 96
Must Turn Stabilization On.

A previous reply was probably right on. You must go into the menu on the GL2 and turn the stabilization on. Stabilization OFF is the default for a GL2.

This was hard for me to get used to doing because I also have GL1's. Stabilization is on by default for a GL1.
__________________
Mike Donley
Mike Donley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old November 22nd, 2004, 07:31 PM   #5
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Shreveport, LA
Posts: 96
Use the Custom Key

Another thought: You can assign stabilization to the custom key. By doing so, you can turn stabiliztion on and off on the fly.
__________________
Mike Donley
Mike Donley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 6th, 2004, 12:14 PM   #6
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Dana Point, California
Posts: 63
Thanks guys i appreciate your help! i have it set to default right now.
Matt Hagest is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 7th, 2004, 09:15 PM   #7
Tourist
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 4
The best option you can turn on for stabilization is called 'tripod'.

Most of the automatic features you use sacrifice quality for the sake of convenience. The lighter the camera, the more difficult it is to move it smoothly. Automatic electronic image stabilization compensates for camera jiggle by selecting a smaller-than-normal portion of the CCD to frame the image. If the image drifts or jiggles toward the edges of the CCD, the camcorder's processor selects the new boundaries as the correct image framing.

By using a smaller-than-usual portion of the CCD's active picture area, this function sacrifices resolution and steals pixels from the CCD. It delivers a picture that's less sharp than if you had turned off the feature and simply found a way to hold the camera more steadily.

Tripods are simple to use and not outrageously expensive. Something to think about anyway.
Brian Knoll is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 8th, 2004, 03:32 AM   #8
Old Boot
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London UK
Posts: 3,633
Brian, I'm almost sure that the XM2 doesn't use less of the CCDs . . the Optical part of this function actually tilts in both planes to adjust. I was just trying to get to the diag of this, which I remember reading some 2 years ago . . but I do think that this whole process is optiocal electro mechanical rather than the "Automatic electronic image stabilization" you speak of. Personally I think the SOny stabilization ios better and tighter than my XM2. I feel there is too much lag between "registering" a moviment then correcting it. You want to try this with gentkly wagging the camera about with OIS on and off. There is a difference, bu the difference is also a jerky correction effect too. This is fine for in-car movements, but having now completed the best of 170 miniDV on my XM2, event shooting does take a stabilization takes - IMHO - a severe correction hit. The Sony is better. It is for this reason I'm contemplating a shoulder steadying device to: 1/ Give some more triangulation to the smoothness of operation 2/- Some weight to the whole rig and 3/- relax my shoulders from camera "grip" !

Grazie
Graham Bernard is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 8th, 2004, 05:31 AM   #9
Wrangler
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 4,487
The XL1/1s and GL1/2 use a variable angle prism in front of the lens to compensate for motion. Thus it is optical compensation. Motion detection is basd on accelerometers as well as image analysis.

Per their literature, these Canons provide detection of slower levels of shake than other makes. The down side is slight lag and overshoot/correction at the start and end of a pan/tilt movement. Reason: It takes a bit of time for the camera to decide you are panning/tilting, not just shaking. This is mainly noticeable when shooting from a tripod, thus the suggestion to turn stabalization off under those circumstances.
__________________
dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com
Don Palomaki is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 8th, 2004, 11:50 AM   #10
Tourist
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 4
Graham,

I was just in my favorite camera store yesterday, and they've got some great set-ups. Over-the-shoulder, under-the-shoulder, behind-the-shoulder... lol... if you can imagine in they make it. I guess it all depends on what works ergonimically for you.

Just like Don was saying, I would notice that my GL-2 would actually induce movement when I had it on a tripod, and then I read about how it works, and I just decided to do without it. It forced me to be concious about being steady which in turn gave me a better final product.
Brian Knoll is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > Canon EOS / MXF / AVCHD / HDV / DV Camera Systems > Canon HDV and DV Camera Systems > Canon XL and GL Series DV Camcorders > Canon GL Series DV Camcorders

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:15 AM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network