Thanks for your Help

C1000s
 

I use the C1000s for interviews and weddings. Doesn't have the gain I was accustomed to when using the Sennheiser ME66/K6 shotgun but I noticed that, in post when I normalized the audio, the signal is very clean and yield great results!

The C3000B is a good all-around mic with one drawback: no 9V on-board power which means that you must have phantom power ...no problem with most studio mixers but could be a problem for you in the field (ie: weddings) where you probably do not want to tote around extra gear to make the 3000 work.

I know of at least one successful audio production house and a couple of individual freelancers who use the 3000b with great results.

ME66 mono only?
 

Could someone please explain in depth about the ME66? Is it mono or stereo? If mono, what do I do if I want stereo? And I know it says for use in loud environments, but I need to use the mic in quiet places too. Is that ok?

Thanks,
Corey

Hello Corey,
Most mics (aside from those found on video cameras) are, indeed, mono by design. There are also stereo mics, such as the Audio-Technica AT822.

Producing 2 channels of sound from a mono mic is generally a simple manuever from within your editing software.

There's a tremendous amount of information already here on the ME-66 and the general principles and distinctions of various mics. Just do a Search on "ME-66".

Hey just a simple thing to save you one more step in post...

if you want stereo sound from a mono XLRmic and you are using the MA-100/200. Use a Female to 2 Male splitter between the mic and adapter. It will send the same signal to both the L&R channels in the camera. I know it isn't true stereo, but this way the sound is already recorded in stereo so you don't have to worry about remembering to do it in post

just my 2 cents
~Mike

XL1?
 

There is an ad in my local newpaper for an XL1 w/ 16x zoom lens. he price for it is $4000 Canadian(roughly about $2440 USD). My question is, is this a good deal for this camera or not?

That's a reasonable price for a local purchase used XL1 in Canada. Not a wicked deal by any means, but not over priced. I'd try and bargain them down to $3800cdn.

If it just the camera that's a reasonable price. Since it does not appear to include the accessories, the seller is pobably upgrading to newer cam.

Have it check over throughly before you buy and try the price Dylan recommends.

Lens Hood
 

Does the lens hood of Standard zoom lens connect onto filter thread or does it click or twist lock into 'lip' around the front of the lens as other cameras have.

So no problems using a filter with standard lenshood... Am I correct in assuming this?

Thanks

The lens hood actually attaches to a locking lip (sounds exotic, eh?) on the outer edge of the lens, not to the filter threads. So you are correct; there is no obstruction with screw-on filters.

Yeah nice and exotic....Locking Lip...that like a french kiss with a latin twist??? lol

But thanks for the info.....just waiting for my camera and trying to get gear as and when I can while waiting.

Audio Input ??
 

Can I use audio 1 RCA jacks on back of XL1s handle to input a live feed from a mixer board in a sound studio without damaging the camera? And do I put it on mike or line?

Thanks Dan

Generally you can, but using AC power supply with the camcorder might introduce power line induced ground loops or hum. The camcorder input level should be set to match the mixer output. The tape outputs of some mixers are a match for consumer line in (-10 dBV) and that is the input level you should use.

If you have +4 dB output from the mixer, you may want to pad it down.

If the mixer has mic level output, that is often balanced and a good option if you have a MA-100/200 and need to run cables more than 20 or so feet. Just be sure that the mixer output is set to mic output (i.e., -30 to -60 dBV output).

But best to check with the engineer at the studio. He should have the pads you need to get the proper level, and perhaps necessary adapters.

Thank You very much Don, the shoot went well, I switched to line in and using the RCA's on the back the sound was nice. Put it all together and copied to VHS and the sound was very clean and crisp.

Thanks again for your help, I had to be at the shoot in 2 hours so I posted the question and within an hour you gave me my answer. It's nice to know you guys (and girls) are out there!

Dan O'Bannon

XL1s training at IFP/West
 

Has anyone taken this class in LA? I figure it can't hurt and I may learn someting new. I'm curious if I should be more concerned with taking notes or taking my camera...

Azden Mics
 

HOW good are the AZDEN Mics?? for the Xl1s with beachtek???

Azden Mic vs. ME66 ??? anyone...
 

Azden is cheaper! Is it as good as the ME66

There are plenty of posts on the Azden. They work fine with the XL-1. If you would like to read more try Azden Search Results.

According to the LAFCPUG, no, the Azden is not as good. They do a lineup of 3 shotgun mics. It's probably been linked to from here before.

http://www.lafcpug.org/review_shotgun_mic.html

Depends on which Azden mic, Some are a lot better than others. Keep inmind that Azden is a consumer/prosumer product line, and none will match the ME66/K6 for example.

Also, some folks have encountered level issues with the SGM-X. It has a relatively high output impedance.

I have seen that site before, but its always good to get other opinions. Anyone know of any other sites with MIC comparisin tests???????

Multitrack Recording Advice Requested
 

I wish to record at least 4 microphones on separate tracks. I will also be recording ambient sound via the XL1s on two 16 bit tracks.

Since I want to record in 16 bits or higher, I need to use a separate audio recorder. I would prefer to use 24 bit recording.

I am considering a TASCAM TM-D1000 digital mixer and a TASCAM DA-78HR 24 bit (8 channel) recorder.

I welcome other thoughts and recommendations from this forum.

What are you recording? What is the venue?

Dear Don,

I want to be flexible. Some will be an Elvis Tribute artist, live. Others will be presentations, meetings, racing events, etc.

I want to do the mix after it is recorded on separate tracks.

Mini XLR to XLR adapters
 

Please help!!!

I am new to this group but am looking forward to reading all the interesting tech info I see here.

I am a Bigfoot researcher (since 1972) and have been in about 6 documentaries on the subject. I have not been the happiest with the results and so am working towards making my own documentary. I am going to school to learn how to do this and have started getting the equipment. I am not rich but I try to get the best equipment I can to do the job. Right now I have a problem...

I have an XL1s with a MA-100 attached. It has the regular size XLR female plugs, but I have a Sony ECM-55SPT/ECM-55BPT electret condenser lav mic I want to hook up with it by way of cable and it has a mini XLR female plug.

Question:

Is there an adapter available and do I need it to have phantom power? The paper work with the mic says it is hooked up one of two ways... with power requirements either 1.5v or 5v, I don't understand this... either it is one way or the other I thought. It states the mic cable is :2.3mm(3/32in.) dia., 3m (10ft.) long 2-conductor shielded cable (pig tail)."

Two of the film's I was in, used film (16mm and 35mm) but even they used this lav setup. Sometimes they had the lav hooked up to a wireless but the static soundbites were with a corded lav.

Thanks
Rick Noll

Welcome Rick,
I think the connector that you're looking for is called a "P3" connector. I also recently searched for such an adapter and found them for sale on Samson's site. Perhaps this will work for you, too.

But I have two Sony ECM-55B lavs, just a bit different from yours, which have an inline power adapter (ie. battery holder) that plugs between the mics and the camera. I actually believe that this is what you'll need, too. My mics came with this adapter but you may be able to buy them separately. Check with Sony's site and/or B&H Photo's site to see if the adapter is available separately.

lightweight tracking solution
 

Does anyone know of a lightweight tracking solution, something like GripControl's "e-track", just for tracks of up to 3 feet. Something that could be mounted on a tripod, and take about 4 kilos of camera (mini 35, XL1S and Nikon prime lens). The GripControl e-track is just too heavy and a little too big.

Outgrowning Case?
 

I made a mistake and purchased the HC-3100? System Hard case from Canon for my camera. It's kinda small and better fitted to being case for some lights than a camera.


i found a way to pack in the ma-200, cavision matte box, microphones , cords, tapes, batteies, tape etc. to be honest, it fits best when i leave the lens and B&W viewfinder on, because there is no place left in the bottom of the box for it seperately.

Is there a roomier case anyone can recommend?

ETrack is the only one I'm aware of, but I'm sure there are others. You might check with some of the big rental houses. You could probably build a short, light duty one for under $500.

Here are some XL1 hardshell case options.

The Pelican and Cases Plus come highly recommended. They are rugged, tough, and are built to take the abuse.

If you want to go cheap the Sears Truck Tote is one of those non-professional solutions.

Wireless lavalier microphone and recording voice over on PC
 

I have two questions:

1. I need to get a lavalier microphone for my Canon XL1s with MA 200. A friend recommends Sennheiser EW500ENG. Anyone has experience with it? Any other suggestion?

2. I also need to record voice-over on PC. I use adobe premiere to edit video now. What audio setup do you recommend, e.g. which microphone, do I need a preamp/mixer and which one and which audio program to edit it?

Thanks.

If the 500 performs as well as the EW112P you will be quite happy.

First opinions
 

Well I think i'm THE or at least one of the newest owners in here, so thought I would give my first opinion of the XL1s, for any that, like me may be interested or in deep thought in buying one. I actually bought the XL1s without actually seeing one, it was just in my price range and read a lot and asked a lot of questions in here and a UK forum.

First opinion was that it looks nice, all my friends commented, firstly....wow the camera from Jackass, then the others said how it looked very professional, unusual, but looked the business. or as one calls it the Dirk Diggler (pornstar) camera. hahaha

The images from it are nice and looked great. I gave it a full test, as much as I could, shooting complex matrix shots to test edgeness in pixels, high contrast, varying lined patterns, into light, etc. And all showed great results. I have used Sony PD150s but never seen images from this one, but they look great to me.

I also shot some scenes using frame mode with shutter at 25fps rather than standard 50, and I really liked the images and feel.

The microphone seems OK, but not ideal. I recorded some friends cleaning up a garden leaves while haveing a fun chat, and the mic picked up leaves and voices, so a blend of everything. I went to the beach where i knew it would be windy and recorded with sound using the mic. att. This seemed to cut out a lot of the sound of waves and wind, to the extent that some more quiet scenes seemed to be really quiet, with almost silence. I must admit that I had the levels on auto, but seemed to jam out too much ambience. But perhaps with more time rather than rush, I could have tried manual levels. But looks like I need a new mic. I wish the camera had a bit "logic" to see a mono mic in mic plug and put it onto both L+R rather then just +L. Or better a button to change this, save having to use a mono to stereo adapter plug, such as on the MKE300 I tried.

The lens seems great, but the autofocus seems pretty slow and hunts too much. My little Sony PC100 has much better autofocus than this camera, perhaps cos the sony's lens is smaller or perhaps Sony have a better autofocus "logic" system. I cannot remember the PD150 being as bad. It was a bright day with slight haze (I had no UV or equivelent filter on) so could have been this. Plus I had a clear focus one one shot, but once the ND filter was switched on...the focus just couldnt seem to sharpen, even in manual it was not 100% sharp as without. Perhaps I have put it through a tough test and so perhaps expecting too much. But I guess more testing and using will see how this ND filter fairs up. But most only ever use manual, so probably a problem most come across with ND and autofocus "hunting".

I like the function to switch off motor and tape section. Great to compose shots with lots of time and no dreaded powering up and down.

Mmmm whatelse can I say. Any questions...just ask. Its a great camera to buy....seems very good stuff. I'm just having too much fun using it. And its definitely a camera that inspires you and gives u great creative options.....plus u stand out from the crowd of all those dull black machines....great for atracting the chics!!!

Whenever one of my friends sees my XL1 for the first time, they ask me if and when I'm going to shoot porno with it. Dirk Diggler camera, indeed. :)

Maybe we should make forum t-shirt with a pic of an XL1s and slogan - The Dirk Diggler of Camcorders! hahaha :)

Or one of the Pornstar skater T-shirts with an XL1s pic on the back. Hahaha.

The XL1s is definately the camera to make u stand out from the crowd!

XL1s Temporary Focus overide - P64 Manual
 

Page 64 of manual states -

"You can adjust the focus temporarily without turning autofocus off! Turn the len's focusing ring to set the focus. Autofocus will resume when you take your hand away from the focusing ring!"

I have tried this on two XL1s's - I can change the focus ok but autofocus returns it within 2 seconds and my hand is still on the focusing ring!!!

I am not in the Easy Recording Mode - a friend has an XL1 and apparently they are suppose to do this as well but he has never been able to get it to work!

What is the secret??? Can everyone please try it and let me know what happens. Then maybe I can get onto Canon!

Thanking you

Andrew Wylie
New Zealand

Welcome Andrew!
 

Yes, this is supposed to work and does for a few seconds. But I, too, have never managed to figure out how to make it a useful feature.

Bottom line: when you need to manually focus the lens just press the Manual Focus button.

Mixer
 

Hi all looking for a miixer and self amplified speakers for meetings and wedding receptions. For 6 wireless mics. Is it possible to get AC&DC power. Also when I connect the XLR cable to the mixer will i just have mono sound or does it make a differance. Thank you David LeBlanc

Ken & Rick,

Your mic requires a power module (In-line power adapter) which supplys a bias voltage to operate a small pre-amp in the mic capsule. If you try to connect the mic directly to the camera, it will not work.

I use Audio-Technica AT899 Submini Lav mics with my XL1s.

If you end up using a wireless system, often the mic can be connected directly to the transmitter without the need for the power module (the trasnmitter supplys the 5v bias voltage to operate the mic.) Sony's website should have connection diagrams to help you make this connection.

Hope this helps.
Cheers