Yes, I realised what you meant as the replies came in Victor. But having an aperture control ring around the lens is more historical convention than it is a photographic desirability in my view.

DSLRs have long since abandoned the aperture ring around the lens, and cameras like the Z1 have replaced it with a beautifully damped, knured alloy knob thet's excellently placed to 'roll' your thumb across to imperceptably change aperture.

tom.

I understand what you mean Tom, yet all the 35mm cinema lenses have manual ring for iris opening and for good reason. I also think, when it comes to professional, moving image acquisition, ARRI/ZEISS is much higher standard then DSLRs and Z1.
Vic

In January 2006, I was looking toward the Panasonic HVX200 but I thought the P2 cards was too expensive in my opinion. So, I waited until November and was looking at the Canon XH-A1 vs Sony FX-7. The price for the Sony FX-7 was basically $1000 cheaper than the Canon XH-A1, but I really like the features on the Canon XH-A1. I placed an order for the Canon XH-A1 last Friday and it came in stock on Monday and will arrive tomorrow. I can't wait until tomorrow, it will be a early Xmas for myself.

I wish you a good shooting times on that one Anthony...

Honestly, I was leaning toward the FX1 because it was cheaper but honestly 800 lines of res (Canon's 24f) versus 500 lines (Sony's 30CF) well I think we know where this is going. I've seen great thing's produced with both but if I ever do a screen from digital projection I would really prefer 800 LOR. Even if I'm just doing an HDDVD or something. The A1 has it all, (at least all that I would want) so I'm going for that one.

-Nate

Well that's it, I quit sitting on the fence and finally got the XH A1. I was going back and forth between the V1U and A1, and couldn't decide what I liked better: the color of the V1U image or the image detail in the A1. The whole dilemma was solved by a great price from Steve Nunez.

Congrats! You won't be dissappointed. Sounds like you a got a great deal too.

Yeah, there's nothing to not like about the A1 (other than that you have to go to the menu to turn on and off the OIS, as you do with many other 1/3" chip cameras). Excellent price too.

Congrats you lucky bastich. Had I seen that price I would snatched it right from under you. Good work Michael, keeping an eye out for the best deals. I hope to see footage from you. I have yet to see any of Canon's 1080 footage so I hope you post some. Good looking out to you man and again congrats.

-Nate

Thanks guys, I'm off to some tropical islands through the middle of February. I'll make sure to post some footage.

Congrats Michael - I'd be buying the A1 as well (unless Sony comes up with a working fix for the 25p mode of the V1E).

i really wish if owners of the A1 could be able to upgrade to the G1 anytime !!!
SDI is cooland important when you need it, like shooting chroma at a studio !!!

But an A1 owner certainly *can* upgrade to a G1, at any time. Here are the steps:

1. Sell the A1.

2. Buy the G1.

I don't mean to be facetious, but that is the standard upgrade path and it's always available.

Or buy the G1 in the first place if you do a lot of studio work and need it.

Just had my first real play with a G1 at the Video Forum in London today, and must say I'm most impressed. Could do with a bigger side-screen, but the dedicated buttons, knobs and wheels really poke the V1 in the eye.