HF-G10 Digital Zoom
 

Has anyone tried this? I think there is a fixed 1.5x or maybe 2x setting as well as the usual user settings.

It is the 1.5x/2x I'm interested in. I need a small (b) cam for wildlife filming and the G10 ticks most boxes apart from having a short maximum zoom.


Ron

Re: HF-G10 Digital Zoom
 

Good results for 1.5 but not beyond on my XF-100.

Re: HF-G10 Digital Zoom
 

I think you would do better using a quality optical tele-converter than using digital zoom or a digital tele-converter setting. This opinion is based in part on a quick test I ran today.

The XA10 has a 2x digital zoom setting and shares many internals with the G10. In the x2 digital tele-converter setting It essentially uses the 960x540 pixels from the center of the image to form a 1920x1080 image. The results is about the same as scaling the image in a program like Photoshop, or digital zooming in your NLE.

The attached image is comprised a piece of a target I shot with the XA10 first at full optical zoom (10x) and than at 5x optical zoom with the x2 digital tele-converter. Thus both original images covered the same nominal x10 visual angle. I opened the footage in Neo 2,5 and capture stills from the video.. (The numbered scale is somewhat arbitrary. and does not equal video resolution in this specific test).

What the image shows is that for the same object/image size (same equivalent zoom setting) 10x optical zoom is much sharper than 5x optical zoom plus 2x digital zoom. I will post another test shortly.

Re: HF-G10 Digital Zoom
 

The attached give a comparison of x2 digital zoom in the XA10 compared to using 200% scaling on an image in the NLS. (In this case using the Layout function in Edius Neo 2.5.). The images are about the same.

Of course, using an optical tele-converter will cost you a stop or two of light. (Nothing is free.)

Re: HF-G10 Digital Zoom
 

Thanks for this. I intend, If I get a G10, to buy a TC, otherwise the focal length pretty hopeless for wildlife filming other than close-ups/macro of course.

Had thought about using a TC with the 2x zoom but maybe not or only for emergency "record shots" as we call them.


Ron

Re: HF-G10 Digital Zoom
 

I wonder if a cam like the Canon M32 would be worth considering as a second cam with better zoom? It has a 15x zoom and I bet it's not as W/A to begin with. Colors should match up pretty close to the G10, and right now B&H has them for $600. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/718162-REG/Canon_4743B001_VIXIA_HF_M32_Dual.html
Just a thought.

Re: HF-G10 Digital Zoom
 

The manual specification page typically will give the nominal field of view in 35mm still film terms

Re: HF-G10 Digital Zoom
 

Before purchasing one or both of the cams mentioned in this thread, in my opinion, one must consider the type of venue and if applicable, your earning potential. If you're starting a business or already have one that will afford you opportunities to shoot weddings and other special events, you might want to consider buying an XF or an XH model. I just bought the HF-G10 yesterday. Thus far it has not disappointed. I'll be honest though; I haven't seen much of a difference between this cam and my CanonHF S-20. If you buy something older, I don't think that you'll be missing out on anything by not buying the HF-G10. In fact I'm seriously thinking about returning it.

Re: HF-G10 Digital Zoom
 

Maurice,

I agree. Good point.

Re: HF-G10 Digital Zoom
 

Keep in mind that the XA10 adds a few features/capabilities to the G10, for a price of course.

All depends you what you need for what you do and need to deliver to your end users.

Re: HF-G10 Digital Zoom
 

...and also what the 'primary' cam is.

Re: HF-G10 Digital Zoom
 

Primary cam is an XLH1 linked to a nanoFlash. I use various EOS lenses with this. I thought I'd give the basic 25p AVCHD out of the G-10 (say) a go by itself to see how it mixed with the footage (100mbps) off the Nano.

If not so good then I'd link the Nano to the G-10 BUT a nuisance of cables etc.

If I have to link the Nano then how good or bad the codec is from the (b) cam is neither here nor there, I'm more into the realms of how good the processor and the lens are.

If I could get a cheapish XH-G1 I would.


Ron

Re: HF-G10 Digital Zoom
 

Tough to match that setup for tele focal length potential!

Re: HF-G10 Digital Zoom
 

Thanks Don, and yes I appreciate that I'm not going to get anywhere near the magnification I can get with the XLH1 plus EOS lenses.

Useful to have a b) cam though , with a bit of magnification, that I can use in situations where I couldn't carry my XLH1 outfit (which heavy!) or when I want some background shots without having to remove lenses rods and the like from the XL.

Anyway as from an hour ago I don't have a working a) camera as it just went dead on me. Batteries okay so maybe a bad connection somewhere, possibly not a fuse as I got a brief spasm of life 10 minutes ago then dead again!

Grrrr!


Ron

Re: HF-G10 Digital Zoom
 

I guess based on that, the G10 would be a good fit. And you can get good audio if you go with something like a Sennheiser mic with a K6 module on it and possibly a balancing adapter. At any rate, the point is you can make it work...

Re: HF-G10 Digital Zoom
 

Thanks again and the XL is now working. Seemingly/hopefully a temporary power problem, perhaps some muck got onto the battery terminals in the camera.

Still mulling over the G-10, quite expensive for what it is if I use solely with a nanoFlash. I wonder why the trend with current small camcorders is for 10x zooms out to a max 35mm equivalent of about 350mm.

I guess I somehow need to get my hands on one and try it out which not easy where I live, hence the usefulness of Forums like this one.

Ron

Re: HF-G10 Digital Zoom
 

Probably driven by the realities of optics and cost. Long zooms and long focal lengths require large glass to have any lens speed. Large glass is expensive and heavy. To have a G10 with the same zoom reach and aperture range as the XH-A1s or XL-H1 would require about the same size glass given that it has a 1/3" sensor. (To put this in some perspective consider the size of 50mm/f1.4 normal lens on a 35mm still camera, and then consider the size you need for a 100mm/F1.4.)

And to that add the implications of larger sensors (CCD/CMOS). A larger sensor needs larger, better glass to provide the same field of view (zoom reach). Suddenly you have to change the physical size and price point, and are back to the XH-A1s.

Worth note that the moderate costs camcorders with large optical zoom ranges often have small sensors, some with 1/6 inch or less.

On microphones: Senn are good, but Rode and AT offer decent shotgun mics at more modest price points that work well with the Canons (and other camcorders).

Re: HF-G10 Digital Zoom
 

Another issues is Canon probably has to balance out the overall needs of users. For the majority of shooting I do, the wide field of view is a lot more important than a long zoom. Not that there aren't times that I could use a longer zoom as well.

I agree the Rode mics are a great value and sound terriffic. The issue that comes up with mics on the G10 is no phantom power, therefore you will need a battery powered mic. In the Rode line, that means going with the NTG2 which is 11" long, 4" longer than the cam itself when you add the XLR jack. The NTG1 at only 8.5" long would be a perfect fit, but no battery assist. The Sennheiser ME64/K6 is a touch shorter than the NTG1 and has battery assist. However, it is cardioid, not as much 'shotgun' as the Rode. Soooo... if you don't mind some off-axis audio, the Sennheiser is not a bad fit.

Does anyone have experience with any other short cardioid or hyper-cardioid mics out there that are great sounding, affordable and in the 9" long range (battery powered preferred)?

Re: HF-G10 Digital Zoom
 

Some folks like the Rode Video Mic line (but i've not used them).

In the world of stereo cardoid mics, the former AT-822 and its successors (AT8022 and AT2022) should work well with camcorders lacking XLR connectors.

At 11 inches the AT897 is a well received shotgun with AA battery power option.

One issue to donsider with shotguns, cardiods, hyper cardoides, etc. is whare are the side and back lobes (i.e., directions from which audio is not rejected)? These can be an issue for some applications.

Also worth noting that some XLR adapters do include a phantom power capability thus allowign use with a short shtogum such as the AT875R ot NTG1

Re: HF-G10 Digital Zoom
 

It really does depend on use. I like the Rode Video Mic, and I haven't tried the super video mic. I do almost all my audio on an H4N with another mic either Lav or other, placed at the subject. The Rode and camera audio is to sync with and as a redundant backup.

I'd have gone with the X10 otherwise.