Optura 20 various questions at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > And Now, For Something Completely Different... > The Archives > Canon Optura Junior Watchdog

Canon Optura Junior Watchdog
High-end affordable consumer 1-CCD camcorders. PAL users invited!

 
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old June 1st, 2004, 09:14 PM   #1
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Belém - Pa - Brazil
Posts: 130
Optura 20 various questions

Anyone knows when Optura10 and 20 be discontinued? Brazil´s mail service lost my Optura10 and I think that, by the time they will pay it for me, the cam will be already discontinued.
__________________
lml
Gustavo Godinho is offline  
Old June 3rd, 2004, 02:19 AM   #2
Obstreperous Rex
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: San Marcos, TX
Posts: 27,366
Images: 513
The Optura 20 / 10 models have indeed been recently replaced by the Optura 40 / 30. Perhaps they will provide you with one of these newer cams instead ?
__________________
CH

Search DV Info Net | 20 years of DVi | ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!
Chris Hurd is offline  
Old June 20th, 2004, 10:02 PM   #3
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: tampa fl
Posts: 92
Using the xl-1 mic on a Optura 20

I think the xl mic is pretty good .Will this be compatible on the Optura 20?

Thanks

RB
Roy Beazley is offline  
Old June 20th, 2004, 11:06 PM   #4
Obstreperous Rex
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: San Marcos, TX
Posts: 27,366
Images: 513
It is not compatible. You would have to fabricate an adapter for the mic connection, as well as some sort of bracket as a mic holder. For all of the time and effort you'd spend on doing those two things, why not just get the DM-50 mic, plug it into the Advanced Accessory Shoe on the Optura 20 and be done with it.
__________________
CH

Search DV Info Net | 20 years of DVi | ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!
Chris Hurd is offline  
Old June 20th, 2004, 11:16 PM   #5
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: tampa fl
Posts: 92
Chris
OK. DM 50 it is.

Thanks

RB
Roy Beazley is offline  
Old July 22nd, 2004, 12:47 AM   #6
New Boot
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Chicago
Posts: 13
optura 20 questions

i just received an optura 20 today and i am already starting to think i made a good decison with what money i had.

i will be making a documenrty about me and my friends senior year in highschool. will this be a good cam for the job?

i was thinking of picking up the dm-50 mic and possibly a wide angle or fisheye. (there will be lots of skating in it)

what lense would be good for the job around $100? i dont really know alot about lenses yet so any adice would be appreciated.
Kevin Girard is offline  
Old July 22nd, 2004, 08:53 AM   #7
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 65
Re: optura 20 questions

<<<-- ... i was thinking of picking up the dm-50 mic and possibly a wide angle or fisheye. (there will be lots of skating in it)

what lense would be good for the job around $100? i dont really know alot about lenses yet so any adice would be appreciated. -->>>

Kevin,
I just bought the Canon WD-H46 wide angle converter for my Opura Xi. It is a great lens and widens the view very nicely. I'm very satisfied. I think that's the one that will fir the Optura 20 (but check the specs in your manual).

In Canada, where I live, it retails for $279.00 CDN. I got it at my local pro dealer for $229.00 CDN.

If you buy the dm-50 mic can you post a review here, because a mic is my next purchase.

Hope this helps,
Earon
Earon Kavanagh is offline  
Old July 22nd, 2004, 10:24 AM   #8
Wrangler
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Makati, Metro Manila
Posts: 2,706
Images: 32
1. Fish-eye lenses are great for street skating, they just catch a lot of stuff. Think about getting an inexpensive fish-eye just in case you get in a skateboarding accident!

2. Wide angle lenses are used for indoor shots and wide landscape/panoramic shots. Many people never take off their wide angle lenses, myself included.

You can use your wide angle lense for street skating, and they're also great for vert. For an all-around lense, the wide angle is the way to go. Get the best you can afford.

FYI: I also have the Canon WD-H46. It's a good lens.
Michael Wisniewski is offline  
Old July 22nd, 2004, 11:16 AM   #9
New Boot
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Chicago
Posts: 13
thanks for your advice.

i was checking lenses on B&H and i saw lots of inexpensive kenko lenses that seem to be alright.

do you recomend these lenses? or should i buy a canon lense because i have a canon camera?
Kevin Girard is offline  
Old July 22nd, 2004, 11:35 AM   #10
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 65
<<<-- Originally posted by Michael Wisniewski : 1. Fish-eye lenses are great for street skating, they just catch a lot of stuff. Think about getting an inexpensive fish-eye just in case you get in a skateboarding accident!

2. Wide angle lenses are used for indoor shots and wide landscape/panoramic shots. Many people never take off their wide angle lenses, myself included.

Hi Michael:
Can you recommend a decent (but inexpensive) fish-eye for the Xi?

Also, just as you mentioned, as soon as I put the Wd-H46 wide angle on the Xi I thought "this is how it should be" and plan to leave it on.
Earon
Earon Kavanagh is offline  
Old July 22nd, 2004, 11:45 AM   #11
Wrangler
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Makati, Metro Manila
Posts: 2,706
Images: 32
Kevin,

The filter/lens thread on the Optura 20 is 37mm.
The recommended Canon wide angle lens for the Optura 20 is the Canon WD-H37.

But the Kenko's are fine to use. Do a search on B&H's site for "37mm wide angle", then sort low to high. There are a lot of lenses to select from.

Michael Wisniewski is offline  
Old July 22nd, 2004, 12:55 PM   #12
New Boot
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Lake George, Minnasota
Posts: 23
I have a Kenko SGW-05 Pro 37mm 0.5x Pro Wide Angle Converter Lens that I purchased from B&H for $80. I am happy with it's quality, and like that it has zoom thru. I use it with both my Optura 10, and my Panasonic 901 as they both have 37mm threads on the lens.
Robert Kamrowski is offline  
Old July 22nd, 2004, 01:41 PM   #13
Wrangler
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Makati, Metro Manila
Posts: 2,706
Images: 32
Quote:
Can you recommend a decent (but inexpensive) fish-eye for the Xi?
I've never used a fish-eye on my Xi ... :-) but there are two 46mm Kenko's at B&H that look interesting. I've used the Century Optics fisheye on a GL-2 but it's expensive.
Michael Wisniewski is offline  
Old June 24th, 2005, 11:10 AM   #14
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Eau Claire, WI
Posts: 167
Optura 20 external mic levels

Hello all! I've got a mini shoot this weekend that I need to use my Optura 20 cam with an external mic setup (two condensers running through a pro-audio mic preamp). I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions for setting the levels so that I don't drive the camera nuts by either being too loud or too quiet. Is headphone monitoring pretty much the only option? Sorry, I've gotten spoiled with the VU meters on my GL2.

I'm planning to use two ADK condenser mics with an ART TPS tube preamp in case anyone was interested. I'll be taping a band on stage. I'd use my GL2 instead, but it's already assigned to a different task (actually, it'll have a backup audio track in case the stereo Optura audio doesn't work out).

I realize that the 20 is now discontinued, but if anyone has any ideas or suggestions for other techniques I'd certainly be interested in hearing about them.
__________________
There's no way for you to know if what I'm saying is true unless you know what the truth is, and there's no way for you to know what the truth is unless there is a truth that you can know. -- Frank Peretti
Jeremy Davidson is offline  
Old April 25th, 2006, 12:55 PM   #15
New Boot
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Hansville, WA
Posts: 8
Best Wide adapter for Optura 20 (37mm)

I'm trying to pick out a wide angle adapter for my camera and almost bought a Raynox 5005pro, but then I saw the distortion results...

http://www.lensmateonline.com/newsite/A620A610wide.html

Now I'm trying to find one that has less distortion. The Raynox 6600pro looks good but I would have to adapt up to 52mm. Can that even be done w/o vignetting?
Locke Morgan is offline  
 

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 > And Now, For Something Completely Different... > The Archives > Canon Optura Junior Watchdog

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:18 PM.


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