Once more, please, in English??? lol. Sorry, but this technical stuff goes way over my head. Is this lens much different from Canon's other stock lenses?

And Graham....holdouts like us will make the leap. It's just a matter of time...and $$... ;)

Lorinda: it has a 20X zoom range going from "pretty darn wide" to "more than you'll usually need telephoto". Better than anything else in its class as far as I can tell.

I'm sorry but I cant answer that, cause I don't know what it means either... o_0

After reading the article on the camcorderinfo.net, I like the mention of a camera built for especially for news and event videographers. The arrangement of the buttons and controls, and the added third ring for IRIS on the lens speaks volumes of how much effective material I will have vs. the "frame fodder" when aquiring the shot. Something I liked about the XL1s, not the best image, but you could get more shots that worked. Now I'll have the same controls, and at HDV resolution.

The smaller size and weight will go easy on my back. A drawback to working with the XL1s. (It's not a true shoulder cam, and required a three-point rig and a wide stance).

My hopes are for more accurate skin tones, another canon trait that I liked when filming people in all kinds of lighting. I'd sure like to see some sample video.

color
 

Is "jet black" the official color of every HDV camera out there? I'm not saying it doesn't look cool, I just wonder why Sony, JVC and Canon simultaneously dropped their grays and silvers when a new format came along.

What if I'm on a night shoot and I stumble and break my $7000 camera just because it's sooo stylish I can't even see it? That's what worries me.

I'm going to guess that the quoted 7lux is the Japanese version of lux rating.
This would equate to the "USA" version of min.lux rating at about 3lux, or basically very similar to the FX1/Z1 IMO.

Does anyone know how much these baby's are going to cost?

Thanks!

Gabriel.

How about the weight of these puppies? I am curious to see if I'd be able to use my merlin steadicam.

Hmmm. Maybe you could line it with neon glow lights like the kids are putting on their cars these days? :-)

Maybe its already fitted with a neon glow in that circular side bit thingy.

That the one big gripe I have with the FX1, in order to shoot decent wildlife, you need to put on an extender, and there isn't a lot of good stuff out there yet...

That would be really cool if it was! That would most definitely add to its appeal...

These are a bit heavier that FX1 at 2000 plus grams. With nearly the same form factor, I am betting you will have still be dealing with a weight issue and balance, much the same as with the FX1.

If I recall correctly from testing the XL-H1, the side thingy may have some lights in it so you can read the dial and display in the dark. This should be one very sweet camera... why the heck didn't they ship it last year?!?

Someone quoted 2100 to 2200 grams depending on model My conversion says over 4.5 lbs.

Man! Thats awesome! Now I don't know what camera I should get! I was thinking of going for a gl1 or 2, but now I don't know!

I wonder if Panasonic would ever decide to put a 20X zoom lens on the successor of the HVX200.

I also wonder how Sony would have reacted if Canon were to release the 4000 dollar XH A1 right now.

Thanks, Kevin. I need to just be patient and have a look. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement! :)

Speaking of that, Gabriel and James, babies and puppies cost $3999 and $6999, and weigh 4.98 and 5.14 lbs. ;) If you check back on the links provided, there's a ton of info for us! I got a kick out of your enthusiasm, though!

I was comparing with the Xl1s, it's forward heavy and awkward (I could feel it pulling forward. When I rented a GL1, it was more comfortable), and one of the reasons I was looking at the Z1U. I think the XHA1 would do nicely on a rig.

Ahh! Thank you! I don't think I'll be able to afford that after all... :( But I'll try as hard as I can!

Just look at it this way. If we hadn't bought those FX1s and Z1s in such great numbers, Canon wouldn't have made these moves. Sony, what's next ? HDV harddrive recording with dockable drive ??

All of the XL series cameras, from the XL1 to XLH1 have a back light that can be turned on to see the LCD in darkness. Push the button, you get about 3 seconds...hold the button for a few seconds and it stays on until you turn it off again.

The only difference that I'm aware of, and Pete Bauer can help is that the XLH1 has a blue backlight while the XL2 and previous models had white backlighting.

-gb-

USA site:

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/co...&modelid=14057

and

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/co...&modelid=14061

heath

I sure hope that the XH G1/A1 has a blue back light! That would be a great color blend!

Greg, I have an XL1s and if I'm correct, I think it has blue backlight too. Well, a kind of blue green blacklight.

Not that this is on topic :-)

What is the lens range in relation to a 35mm equivalent?

[EDIT]
Ok the lens range is
32.5mm – 650mm (35mm equivalent)
Would have been nice if they could have at least hit 28mm on the wide end. Most cameras lack a good wide angle. But I guess this is pretty close.

The XL H1 Mode Select (HD/F1/F2) and DV/HDV 1394 indicator are a bright blue color LED. The round dial LCD is standard wristwatch-greenish backlit, exactly as with previous XL cameras.

Anyone want to venture a guess. Metal or plastic body construction...

the best thing about this new camera release is that my internal conversation about the next camera is OVER! (which leaves a little room to have a much more in-depth internal conversation about what to do about my next editing system!)

things i am no longer thinking:

"...but the zoom on this FX-1 just isn't cutting it!"

"i could get a used Z1 and be using it now instead of waiting"

"the H1 is just too rich for me, and my second cams aren't a good match"

"should i wait for RED. what the heck is RED anyway?"

"as a southpaw, i hate the XL2 form factor, do i want to translate this hatred to an H1 for a lot of money??"

now i don't have this junk in my head! bonus!

Thanks for the clarification, Pete. I said white on the earlier models but you're right, it's a greenish background. Gee, how quickly we forget once our cameras are gone. (grin)

-gb-

It's probably metal. The lens barrel is definitely metal. It has the same slightly crinkled finish as a Canon L series EF lens.

Once again: Here's your XH Series F.A.Q. -- and I'm looking for suggestions as to what else I can add to it.

Best advice I give to everyone is this:

1. Test as many cameras as possible, see how the image is under different situations (bright/low light, indoors, outdoors, etc.).

2. What features do you need? See which one comes close to addressing what you want out of a camera. If all you're looking for is 24p/f, the HD100 or the Canons may be what you're looking for. Or maybe not, because going to 24p with a Sony is easy.

3. If you need a camera now, buy it now. If you don't, wait.

4. Remember, it's just a tool. Which camera you pick doesn't make a difference if you can or cannot shoot well. When I show a short I did with my DP Jon Fordham, people love it. When I say we shot on the HD10, they're blown away, saying how could we do just a great job? Well, Fordham is a great DP, and understood the camera's strengths and weaknesses. Same with another short film that was shot on an FX1 with CineFrame 24 on. How did we do it with minimal issues with stuttering? We watched out for too much movement, etc.

heath

Can someone remind me, does Canon HDV (not the 24F) playback in the Sony HDV decks?

Great to see the 50i/60i 24/25p can be optioned on the new cameras.

Is that a real iris ring on that lens? (tears of joy)

Does the front mic protrude past the lens?

If you can put HD-SDI on a 7K camera, why can't anyone make a HDV deck with it?

Sony plays back 60i and I think 30f, but not 24f. I tested it myself, thanks to some footage from Chris Hurd and Barry Green.

heath

Also, Canon has never made a deck before. When I owned an XL1 years ago, I bought a Sony minidv deck (the tiny one, not the DSR series) to play back and record footage. I always get nervous about tapes in my camera and using it for a deck. I had a disaster after I sold said Sony deck...

heath

2100g is 4.6lb

... And with the Steadicam Merlin able to fly up to 5.5lb, both these cameras will almost certainly fly perfectly. :)


- Mikko

Mikko why did I know that you'd relate this to the Merlin, ha ha.

Hmmmmm, no component out? bummer (sorry folks, you were having to much fun:).

I was just wondering that. The XL H1 has HD SDI and Component out.

hwm