ghost images or strobe effect in finder
 

I have an almost one year old xl1s. I have noticed lately that when the temperature is cold (mid 20s Fahrenheit or below) that the image in the finder appears blurry if the lens is zoomed quickly, the camera is panned, or the subject moves. This occurs in either frame or normal mode. While this looks much like one is using a slow shutter speed such as 1/8 or 1/15 sec., I am not. The recorded video shows no problem. I started using this camera last February under much the same conditions and do not remember anything like this. Has anyone else noticed anything like this.

This is normal and to be expected. Remember, the color viewfinder is a liquid crystal display. When it becomes very cold it becomes sluggish to refresh. Use a PortaBrace Polar cover (or something equivalent) to keep the cam warm in very cold shooting.

Matte Box for XL1S - lilhelp please?
 

I got a Canon XL-1S for christmas along with a few accessories, including a Beachtek XLR audio adaptor that fits under my camera. Ive been thinking about a Matte Box with rods that mounts to my tripod. Would my beachtek audio adaptor effect the set up of the rods and matte box? Or am i wrong and can the beachtek be mounted under the Matte Box mount? I need some help on this one as i am young and inexperienced in the world of Digital Video. Thanks in advance for any help.

I'm pretty sure the Beachtek will be mountable under the matte box.

Phantom power. . .how?
 

I have a Sennheiser ME66, and I don't understand this phantom power deal. It lets the mic run without a AA battery, right? Well, how? I've had it plugged into my MA100, turned on, with battery, and all I've had happen is that I realize I have no battery. All the modules that come with the mic capsule are phantom power, no?

The MA-100 does not provide phantom power. So with the ME66 you need to use the K6 module with the internal AA battery present. (Sennheiser does offer another power module for the ME66 that does NOT support use of a AA battery and requires phantom power).

The K6 module can also use phantom power if it is available. But if you are using the MA-100 and want to use phantom power, you will have to provide an external phantom power source - probably not worth the effort since AA batteries are low cost, convenient., and work.

Ah. Okay. Thanks for clearing that up.

Audio Technica AT8415/XL1s
 

Hello. I have a Sennhesier ME66 shotgun mic, a Lightwave systems MM-XL1 universal mini mount and an Audio Technica AT8415 shock mount. Is it possible for me to somehow attach the 8415 to my XL1s in any way? Does it attach to the mini mount any way? Anywhere? There has to be a way to rig it up somehow which leads me to my next move.

I would like to attach my shotgun mic through the shock mount and attach my regular Canon stereo mic though the mini mount. I want to do a shoot and capture audio on both mics. How do I go about doing that? Put the camera menu settings on 12 bit 4 channels, and thats it? Thanks for the help guys.

-Ryan

12-bit mode will do what you want. You will probably want to use an XLR adapter, such as the MA-100 to adapt the signal from the ME66 to the Audio 2 input. Some folks have found setting up the 12-bit mode to be almost as difficult as programming their VCRs, so practice it first to get it down pat before a money shoot

Someone else will have to comment on using a 8415 with the mini-mount system. Might look a bit unusual.

Yea I have the MA-100, thanks Don.

Tune-up Timetable
 

Wondering how others determine when their XL-1 should go in for preventive maintenance. Hours of use, every year? Every time Pauly Shore makes a really good movie?

How long does it take? Is it usually all cleaning and adjusting or are there wearable new parts needed?

How much does Canon charge?

Thanks!

I'm a, If it ain't broke, don't fix it, guy. But I also have a backup camera. I would suggest an annual checkup if you want to be on the safe side.

Jeff

Battery Charger Isn't charging
 

My XL1 charger/adaptor will suddenly no longer charge batteries. Thankfully, it will still power the camera. I think this must have something to do with the contacts or the snugness of the connection. I cleaned the contacts, but it still won't charge.
Anyone else have this problem? Any easy fixes or even not so easy fixes?
Thanks!

This is going be a repair issue for Canon USA; if you bought the camera from an authorized U.S. dealer less than a year ago then it should be covered by warranty.

Or you could replace it with a third-party dual batt. charger from VariZoom (you'd have it in a day as they are also in Austin). For a review, see http://www.dvinfo.net/sony/articles/article09.php

This is on the VX2000 site, however the charger comes with adapter plates for Canon batts. I use one myself and it works fine. Hope this helps,

OLED displays -- what a revolution
 

I can't wait to see how Canon, Sony, Panasonic adapt this technology to their cameras

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/index.php?topic_id=7722

You got a Canon XL1s for Christmas!!! Damn you must have been one hell of a good boy - Santa was never that good to me!!! :)

Now that's a future-shock-class display. Wow. Thanks for sharing that.

Very nice! Wondering what the TTM (Time to Market) will be on
that technology. As always, we'll have to wait and see.

Thanks!

Light wave web site?
 

Does light wave have a web site?

Dropped Frames on XL1S Capture at 1/60 fps
 

Okay. This is starting to annoy me.

I've been capturing vid from this camera in 1/30 mode with no problem for months in Final Cut Pro. I'm shooting some stuff in 1/60 now and need to capture it.

I set the sequence settings for 60, I go in and set the capture settings for the camera to 60 and double, triple check them.

I've optimized my media drive (segmented in 2) as well as all other drives.

My in point is well into the start of the footage shot in 1/60 so there wasn't any 1/30 to skip through and my out point is also well before the end of the footage.

Every single time I get the dreaded "Dropped Frames were detected during last capture attempt"

I even get this when I use the "capture now" option.


ideas?????

SOLUTION - no matter what speed you shoot at (I just figured out) frame rate-wise, DV is still 29.97 (NTSC) and you import it at that----

That is correct Kevin (for PAL it is 25 fps)!

XL1 cold weather performance
 

I had my old XL1 outside on a shoot yesterday for four hours.

It was a legitimate minus 15 degrees when we started, warmed up to around ten above zero.

The camera performed flawlessly once again, even though I forgot to bring a case. It was exposed to the elements the entire shoot.

I never cease to be amazed by that thing.

Mike Avery

Though I never want to own such a large cam, I agree with you that it is a great cam (and so is the GL2). A family member owns 2 XL1S cams, 2 GL1 cams and now 2 GL2 cams...but he wants to sell the GL1s. For most of his jobs, his GL1s/2 work just fine.

Cold weather? Shrug/shake/shiver---chattering teeth---that's why I moved from Winnipeg to Vancouver. I had enough of Winterpeg---but someday I'll move back to the country around there, sit back and watch the twisters in the summer, and hire someone to shovel the snow in the winter.

Filters: Kaeseman and Polariser
 

Is the Kaeseman filter usable with an XM2 (GL2), or should I buy a Multicoated

Polariser: Circular or linear? I know it depend how the cam makes the Autofocus (XM2/GL2)

Thank in advance.

Get a "good" one...linear or circular doesn't matter for the internal video optics. The performant ones are mostly circular. Get one with a good scratch resistant coating. With a Kaeseman filter you'l get (theoretically) somewhat more polarisation (extinction ratio), somewhat better polarisation uniformity and a "flatter" structure for the ultimate resolution. Those super performances are an overkill for video.

Manual lens vs ISII auto in terms of image quality
 

I noticed on Scott Billups' web site www.pixelmonger.com that he has two stills from the XL1s with the ISII auto lens and the Manual lens. The difference between the two images is phenomenal. I was wondering if the difference really is this noticable or maybe his images have been compressed differently or some other factor at play. I am allways interested in getting the best out of the camera because its just such a lovely machine. Ultimately I am after the manual lens with an anamorphic adaptor on the end, but am unsure of the actual advantages in terms of image quality (of having the manual lens). Many thanks for any advice/information.

It looks to be like they were shot different. The top image (16X IS II) looks like it has some reflection of the background on it. It fills less of the frame and is angled more. For a good comparison the shots should be identical. With that said, I own both lenses and find the 14X to be sharper.

How much better picture should I expect with an Canon XL1 compared to a small DV came
 

What kind of difference can I expect from a canon XL1 compared to a new DV camera you can buy at best buy for $800.00 bucks? This camera I am getting is used and I think may be 4 years old. It's the canon XL1.

Anything I should be aware of?

Can you record in 16:1 on a Canon XL1?
 

I was wondering can you record in widescreen with the XL1? Or do you need a special attachment? If you need a special attachemnt, does it leave the black borders on top of the film and bottom?

Many of today's 1 CCD cams have very high resolution. The XL1 is more of a pro cam. It has better sound/audio controls, great manual controls, and the ability to use a variety of lenses.

Adam,

The XL1/1s both use 4:3 CCDs. They have a faux 16:9 digital function where the image is squeezed and stretched to fit the 16:9 format. When using the 16:9 effect there is some loss in vertical resolution. This may be a problem for you, it all depends on the look you are after. Many people will shoot in 4:3 then crop in post and add the black bars to achieve 16:9 images.

My personal experience has shown that using the 16:9 effect doesn't really make that much of a difference to the look. It still looks sharp(as sharp as the XL1 can be) and good. There are plenty of posts here on the boards so do a search on 16:9 and see what you think.

Yeah iv done filming in sub zero temps with snow falling on the camera (XL1s) before, performed flawlesly! Didnt have a case either so it got pretty wet, didnt want to let it get to wet though so I was only in it for about half an hour.

Bad pixel?
 

Did a job two nights ago and am reviewing my footage. There is a tiny red spot near the bottom of the screen. Is it possible I have a bad pixel? How could I know for sure? Is it possible that its something on the lens?

Put the lens cap on and shoot black. Play it back on a monitor and adjust the brightness and contrast and see if it shows up in the same spot. If it does, you've got a bad pixel. I believe Canon Service will attempt to mask it out.

Better lens cup?
 

In my search for a better lens cup I searched and found one solution here at DVinfo.net. Based on this I did purchase the Hoodman H-XL1, but I am not quite satisfied with that one. In my continued search I came across the i-cuff. Now I would like to know if there is someone who have tried this product? It looks very good, and seems to keep it´s shape better.

The site is: http://www.i-cuff.com/

Ivan

Ivan,
The i-cuff is a good product. It may take a bit of getting used to, particularly if you wear glasses. Still, for the XL1s' standard viewfinder, it's a darn sight better than the standard cup. Just make sure you buy the correct model for your camera.

Toronto - Getting the most out of my XL1s
 

I recently shot some footage with my xl1s and it looks pretty bad. I lit the shoot with a tota light, set my Zebra's to 100% looked fine in viewfinder, but it came out over exposed.

Is there anyone out there from T.O. that knows the Xl1s inside and out that could show me a few things? I want to feel like I am driving the Camera/light, rather then the other way around

thanks,

Michael

New buyer of XL1s
 

I will be purchasing a XL1s very soon.

Any suggestions what I might need to purchase with it.

Also I am finding quite a diversity of places to purchase it from, with a wide range of prices. Any suggestions on where to purchase it would be helpful.

I will mainly be using it in a studio enviroment.

Also does the XL1s have a LCD screen like many of the camcorders do today.

Thanks