Optura Xi various questions

John Markin · May 16th, 2005, 07:31 AM

I've lost my Optura due to a fire and now I am looking for a equivalent camera to replace it. Need information for insurance company.

Any ideas?

some of the more salient features were:

optical stabilization
progressive scan 30p
lanc port

Thanks!

Robert Mann Z. · May 16th, 2005, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Markin

optical stabilization
progressive scan 30p
lanc port

the only camera that has all three is the xl2, the dvx does not have a lanc port, and the optura line only has OIS...

John Markin · May 17th, 2005, 08:44 AM

only problem with the xl2 is the cost associated with it. I'm pretty certain that my insurance company would not accept this claim (as much as I would like it).

I've been given some other models such as the GL2, Optura 50 and 60.

I'm not hogtied to just the Canon line either. I've looked at the Panasonic GS250 (sans progressive scan).

I guess the original Optura was pretty unique for it's time.

Jay Yuan · May 17th, 2005, 09:29 AM

I think Canon will come up with a model to replace the Optura xi. Maybe you can afford to wait for it?

Nate Cannon · May 17th, 2005, 10:37 AM

Well..... 2 months later, I now have my Xi back :)

The service center sent it to Canon for repair. Their resolution summary: Factory Replaced Main PCB, Cleaned, & Tested.

I'd imagine this was a costly repair. I purchased the extended warranty and was covered. I sometimes wonder if I had been better off not purchasing the warranty and sending the Xi off to Canon myself? I'm sure the price would've been more than what I paid for the warranty, but the 2 month downtime hurt.

I planned on purchasing the Optura 50/60, (as a loaner & returning it when the Xi was repaired) from the same company. A week after i submitted my Xi, I was notified that the company was closing down their stores here in Utah. So I didn't go that route.

Anyhow, I'm happy to have it back. Hopefully it works out. I'm going to disconnect the DM-50 whenever it's not in use. For some odd reason, I think it may have fried the board.

I will say that I was happy that Canon did the repair.

We'll see how it goes!

Davis Lee · May 23rd, 2005, 03:24 PM

Hi,

I am trying to obtain a wide angle adapter for my Xi, and I am looking for an adapter that will allow the footage to look as close to film as possibly can (super wide). I am going to use the adapter with the 16:9 mode on the camera.

is there a good apapter which i can use?

thanks

Michael Wisniewski · May 23rd, 2005, 05:21 PM

Century Optics makes 16:9 wide angle adapters. They'll give you the super wide 2.35:1 ratio you're looking for.

These are the screw-on adapters:
- 37mm (click here)
- 58mm (click here)

Davis Lee · May 23rd, 2005, 05:55 PM

I like the century optics one, but the Xi has a 46mm thread, so how will I be able to use this?

Michael Wisniewski · May 23rd, 2005, 06:03 PM

For the screw on adapters you'll need one of these:

- 46mm-37mm step down ring (click here)
- 46mm-58mm step up ring. (click here)

Nathan Petersen · May 30th, 2005, 11:23 PM

I was just wondering if the XI compares closely to a 3ccd prosumer camera such as the pvdv953 trv950 etc. I know its got a 1/3.4 huge ccd with RGB color filter but will that cut the cheese? Because Im going to be using this camera for some green screening work etc. Thanks guys

Philip Williams · May 31st, 2005, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathan Petersen

I was just wondering if the XI compares closely to a 3ccd prosumer camera such as the pvdv953 trv950 etc. I know its got a 1/3.4 huge ccd with RGB color filter but will that cut the cheese? Because Im going to be using this camera for some green screening work etc. Thanks guys

Hi Nathan, take a look at my web site's Green Screen DV and chromakey tutorials for examples of what can be accomplished with an old original Elura, green poster paper, one light bulb and some star wars toys.

In short, yes, the Optura Xi should work well for green screen. Your software's capability to work with 4:1:1 compressed DV video will be the deciding factor.

Philip Williams
www.philipwilliams.com

Nathan Petersen · May 31st, 2005, 12:46 AM

Thanks for the reply Philip, wow that's really impressive for using that camcorder. I am going to be using Adobe Premiere Pro to edit the video. Also, I am going to be filming outside and would really like to add a lens hood to the XI. Tell me if I am wrong with this (sorry if newb question): The Canon Optura XI has a 46mm filter diameter and I am going to get a 43mm thread DV lens hood. So I will need a 46mm to 43mm adapter ring right? I screw the adapter ring to 46mm diameter filter and then screw the lens hood onto the other end of the adapter ring that is 43mm. Sorry about a pretty stupid question, just wondering If I got it right.

Philip Williams · May 31st, 2005, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathan Petersen

Thanks for the reply Philip, wow that's really impressive for using that camcorder. I am going to be using Adobe Premiere Pro to edit the video. Also, I am going to be filming outside and would really like to add a lens hood to the XI. Tell me if I am wrong with this (sorry if newb question): The Canon Optura XI has a 46mm filter diameter and I am going to get a 43mm thread DV lens hood. So I will need a 46mm to 43mm adapter ring right? I screw the adapter ring to 46mm diameter filter and then screw the lens hood onto the other end of the adapter ring that is 43mm. Sorry about a pretty stupid question, just wondering If I got it right.

Generally I don't think using step-down rings is a good idea. If you shoot with your lens at the widest setting you'll almost certainly get the ring into your shot. Stick with 46mm or larger accessories.

As for Premiere, hopefully they've improved the keyer to work with DV footage. I recall the older versions really had a problem with the 4:1:1 color sampling and you'd get nice chunky squares at the edges of the mask. Again, hopefully this won't happen in the new version.

Good luck,
Philip Williams
www.philipwilliams.com

Nathan Petersen · May 31st, 2005, 01:33 PM

do you know of any lens hoods that work with 46mm filter threads? Thanks

Nathan Petersen · June 1st, 2005, 01:42 PM

I was just wondering if anyone has tried using the gl2 lens hood on the optura xi? I know I need a 46mm to 58mm step up ring, but thats no problem. I dont really want to use a step down ring because It might get in my shots. I know it would get the job done, but would it look good?

May 16th, 2005, 07:31 AM	#76
John Markin Tourist Join Date: May 2005 Location: Vancouver Posts: 2	Original Optura equivalent / replacement I've lost my Optura due to a fire and now I am looking for a equivalent camera to replace it. Need information for insurance company. Any ideas? some of the more salient features were: optical stabilization progressive scan 30p lanc port Thanks!

May 17th, 2005, 08:44 AM	#78
John Markin Tourist Join Date: May 2005 Location: Vancouver Posts: 2	xl2 only problem with the xl2 is the cost associated with it. I'm pretty certain that my insurance company would not accept this claim (as much as I would like it). I've been given some other models such as the GL2, Optura 50 and 60. I'm not hogtied to just the Canon line either. I've looked at the Panasonic GS250 (sans progressive scan). I guess the original Optura was pretty unique for it's time.

May 17th, 2005, 09:29 AM	#79
Jay Yuan New Boot Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 17	xi? I think Canon will come up with a model to replace the Optura xi. Maybe you can afford to wait for it?

May 23rd, 2005, 03:24 PM	#81
Davis Lee Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 33	Wide Angle for Optura Xi Hi, I am trying to obtain a wide angle adapter for my Xi, and I am looking for an adapter that will allow the footage to look as close to film as possibly can (super wide). I am going to use the adapter with the 16:9 mode on the camera. is there a good apapter which i can use? thanks

May 23rd, 2005, 05:21 PM	#82
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	Century Optics makes 16:9 wide angle adapters. They'll give you the super wide 2.35:1 ratio you're looking for. These are the screw-on adapters: - 37mm (click here) - 58mm (click here) __________________ "Ultimately, the most extraordinary thing, in a frame, is a human being." - Martin Scorsese

May 17th, 2005, 10:37 AM	#80
Nate Cannon New Boot Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 15	Well..... 2 months later, I now have my Xi back :) The service center sent it to Canon for repair. Their resolution summary: Factory Replaced Main PCB, Cleaned, & Tested. I'd imagine this was a costly repair. I purchased the extended warranty and was covered. I sometimes wonder if I had been better off not purchasing the warranty and sending the Xi off to Canon myself? I'm sure the price would've been more than what I paid for the warranty, but the 2 month downtime hurt. I planned on purchasing the Optura 50/60, (as a loaner & returning it when the Xi was repaired) from the same company. A week after i submitted my Xi, I was notified that the company was closing down their stores here in Utah. So I didn't go that route. Anyhow, I'm happy to have it back. Hopefully it works out. I'm going to disconnect the DM-50 whenever it's not in use. For some odd reason, I think it may have fried the board. I will say that I was happy that Canon did the repair. We'll see how it goes!

May 23rd, 2005, 05:55 PM	#83
Davis Lee Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 33	I like the century optics one, but the Xi has a 46mm thread, so how will I be able to use this?

May 23rd, 2005, 06:03 PM	#84
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	For the screw on adapters you'll need one of these: - 46mm-37mm step down ring (click here) - 46mm-58mm step up ring. (click here) __________________ "Ultimately, the most extraordinary thing, in a frame, is a human being." - Martin Scorsese

May 30th, 2005, 11:23 PM	#85
Nathan Petersen Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 95	XI compares with 3ccd? I was just wondering if the XI compares closely to a 3ccd prosumer camera such as the pvdv953 trv950 etc. I know its got a 1/3.4 huge ccd with RGB color filter but will that cut the cheese? Because Im going to be using this camera for some green screening work etc. Thanks guys

May 31st, 2005, 12:46 AM	#87
Nathan Petersen Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 95	Thanks Thanks for the reply Philip, wow that's really impressive for using that camcorder. I am going to be using Adobe Premiere Pro to edit the video. Also, I am going to be filming outside and would really like to add a lens hood to the XI. Tell me if I am wrong with this (sorry if newb question): The Canon Optura XI has a 46mm filter diameter and I am going to get a 43mm thread DV lens hood. So I will need a 46mm to 43mm adapter ring right? I screw the adapter ring to 46mm diameter filter and then screw the lens hood onto the other end of the adapter ring that is 43mm. Sorry about a pretty stupid question, just wondering If I got it right.

May 31st, 2005, 01:33 PM	#89
Nathan Petersen Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 95	do you know of any lens hoods that work with 46mm filter threads? Thanks

June 1st, 2005, 01:42 PM	#90
Nathan Petersen Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 95	lens hood on Optura XI (help) I was just wondering if anyone has tried using the gl2 lens hood on the optura xi? I know I need a 46mm to 58mm step up ring, but thats no problem. I dont really want to use a step down ring because It might get in my shots. I know it would get the job done, but would it look good?