It does neither. All FE's lenses have 100% Barrel Distortion. In other words all straight lines will appear to bow outward (except those that pass through the optical center of the lens.

The 7.2X mag./crop factor will reduce the angle of view to a more moderate WA lens, but the barrel distortion will still exists. The resulting images will need to be "de-fished." There are plugins for Photoshop and standalone programs to accomplish the mandatory de-fishing. The required work for the 30 FPS video produces may make the images not worth the effort. The barrel distortion is not always noticeable if straight lines (horizon for example) are placed through the center of the image.

Replacement Xl1s microphone
 

Hi !

Does anyone have, or know where to get a replacement xl1s mic?

I've just had a little mishap with mine, and I need to get it replaced.....


Any ideas?!!

Thanks

Yep, with the amount of glare and the various objects (sea spray, foam, twigs, jet ski's jumping the wake, etc.) you need to put a polarizing filter on the lens to cut down on the bright outdoor light and the glare reflecting off of the water.

Shoot at a fast shutter speed as Hagop suggests and reduce the arpeture settings until the drift on your focus is bearable under manual conditions. Auto-focus can't handle it. I learned this when filming fireworks displays on the beachfront at night.

Also, a raincape wouldn't be a bad idea to protect the camera. Ewa-Marine makes good ones and they also make underwater bags that act like dive housings up to 33 feet deep. I use them with smaller cameras but they make one for the Canon XL-1 series of cameras. Then, you could take the camera snorkeling or shallow water diving, or jump in the water and film. Check out www.ewa-marine.com for more info.

My XL1 lens is a bit Loose- cuts the connection .. HELP!
 

Hi... I have just invested in an XL1.. and when I tilt the camera down, the lens wobbles slightly, and the connection breaks from the camera and the picture is lost. When I connect the lens, it slots in nicely, but with a slight wobble... I can see a trip to canon is probably coming my way, but wondered if anyone had encountered this problem? It is like I need a washer or a small rubber band to plug the slight gap..or something... can anyone advise me on this worrying problem...cheers!

If you have warranty from where ever you bought it send it in
directly. This should NOT happen. If you are sure the lens is
securely and properly connected and don't have warranty then
send it in to Canon. You should not attempt to fix this yourself
or work around with it by putting anything between it or something!

thanks Rob.. I think you are right.. sadly, I have no warranty, so Canon, here I come!

Replace plug on Canon ZR1000
 

As I was raising my mast on my tripod to shoot over a crown, the tip of the remote plug (zr1000) broke off in the XL1s.

Where can I get a replacement cord?

How do I get the tip out of the camera?

Radio shack carries the 2.5mm jack you seek.

Can't help you with the extraction of the broken tip though.

Try Canon parts fro a new replacement, some owner may had one he does not use, so search the various web sites. Also, some dealers that cater to professional users may have some.

shoulder pad question
 

I have just got my XL1S and seem to have a lot of trouble making the shoulder pad comfortable. Reading a few reveiews on the internet, I see that the shoulder pad is not one of canons best ideas. Do you guys have any suggestions as to where to get a decent shoulder mount for the XL1S or at least a make and model number. Thanks

Color jumps
 

I was shooting in a barn the other night in 30 frames and when i played it back i noticed color jumps....in brightness mainly.

Anyone have any ideas on what this is or what its doing?

You'd have to tell us more about how you were shooting. When you say "30 frames" what do you mean? Shutter speed? The XL1S only shoots at 30 frames/sec. How were you managing your exposure? Tv? Av? Manual? Etc.

Offhand, I'd guess that you were using a program exposure mode (probably Tv) and something was making your iris flex.

Welcome Andrew,
The standard shoulder pad is a bit of an oddity, so don't think that you're the oddball. I don't think anyone likes it.

The standard upgrade is to get an MA-100 or MA-200. These larger "pads" offer a bit more support (particularly the MA-200) and also feature XLR audio ports. (The MA-200 also features a BNC video-out connection.)

Still, even these won't make the XL1S really comfy. For that you'll need a full-blown shoulder brace such as those offered by Varizoom, DVTec, et.al.

I use this one:

http://www.cevl.com/shoulderpod.html

it is simple but really confortable.
my arms still thank me of it :)
Bye

Also, what kind of lighting did you have?

XL1 Scams on Ebay
 

Please beware of scam sellers on e bay of XL1 and Xl1s.

1. They are not legit sellers. Whenasked for payment the ask you to wire funds or use fake escrow services.

2. They say location is most often Canada but when they get in touch with you they are most often in Europe.

3. They as well BUY camera and merchandise and ask to ship Express and want to use escrow but they are fake.

Please do not get fooled.

Here is a list and fake escrow services and some horror stories of people losing big money to these scammers.

Dan

Indeed, while there are some good deals on eBay, there are also some nasty folks.

We have an extensive permanent thread on this topic in the business section.

Thank you for your reminder.

Xl1s / Gl2 (xm2)
 

Hi all,

Sorry to bother you all again but I cannot seem to find the answer to my question this forum. I found something similar in the GL2 forum, but I`m not sure if the tests where a bit biased. Anyway, here`s my question to you hardened camera users. I have recently bought an XL1S and have had a GL2 (we call it XM2 here in the UK) for about 18 months. I am still getting to know the XL1S and all its controls and I`m sure I can make the picture even better than I am getting at the moment. I took my two cameras out to the marina today and took some footage of the boats. The day was perfect, a few clouds and loads of sun. When I got home and grabbed my footage I decided to do a comparison of the footage. Colours where pretty much the same, XL1S was a bit softer, but I know I can sharpen that up a bit from the camera menu. But the footage was pretty much the same. My question is "if in a set of hands of somebody who knows wwhat they are doing, will the XL1S give a better quality picture than the GL2". Humping the XL1S around was a damn site harder than carrying the GL2 around. If the extra weight can be justified I`d happily carry it around, if not, I`ll take the GL2 out with me. I know the XL1S has the added advantage of interchangeable lens and maybe better sound capabilities, but is that it ?

Many Thanks

Andy

The XL1S Club and Canon
 

I remember reading somewhere that canon had a XL1S club that users could join by sending in their serial number of the camera, I think that it was only for USA residents though. Does anybody know the web address where I can see about registering and if I have to live in the USA to register. UK doesn`t seem to have anything like it on their site.

The XL1S Owners' Club is a creation of Canon USA. I believe that it only applies to U.S. owners.

As you noticed the XM2 is very good as well. The XL1S should be
slightly better with the superior glass in front of it, but that might
not be very noticable (also depends on what you are viewing the
footage).

As you also noted. Most people buy the XL1S over an XM2 for
other reasons:

- easier controls
- better audio controls
- removable lens system (especially interesting with full manual lenses and systems like the mini35)
- availibity to swap other parts like microphones and viewfinder (to get a B/W CRT)

It is also a bit easier to dress it up to a more professional
system and get it a better shoulder mount. Some people also
get it because it just looks more professional (which can make
a difference for some clients etc.).

If you leave both camera's the same there isn't much difference
between them. Although I'm not sure whether the XM2 has things
like custom presets / white balance and how far things like gain
go on each.

XL1 zoom control
 

Hi its my first post here so be nice ;)

ok, my Canon XL1 has developed a fault, the zoom button spring has come of so it gets stuck, it is out of warranty and its really a 2nd camera as i have a XL1s to replace it BUT would like to fix it myself. Now how do i get the side of so i can get to the zoom control?

A project NOT for the fumble fingered.

Remove the lithium backup battery.
Remove the grip belt/strap.
Remove 5 hex screws in the side. Note with care where they came from because they are different lengths.
Separate the L cover and the R cover unit.
Diswconnect three cables

With any luck you will see 4 screws holding on the inside cover of the grip. Remove these and you should be inside the grip housing. The zoom key unit uiis behind the circuit board.

Good luck.

Which Mic?
 

Just wondering...I was looking at a Sennheiser Shotgun Mic-KE66.........does anyone know if that would be a better mic than what the XL1s came with?

It is a better mic, but keep in mid that it is mono if stereo is important, and you will need an XLR adapter to connect it to the XL1s.

No stereo wouldn't be important. I am shooting a documentary, so I will have a wireless mic on one channel and a boom mic on the other.

Canon XL1s FIREWIRE !!!
 

Dear All,

I think i am facing a problem with my Canon XL1s FIREWIRE I/O
i have a canopus DVstorm editing card, and when i hook the FW cable the card dosen't detect the DV connection, while i took a friend's camera with the same cable and everything is running smoothly....

I wonder what is the right thing to do... or is there any way to reset camera settings... my problem is that i live in Jordan and there is no actual mentenance for Canon XL1s in our town :(

Is there a replacement for the FIREWIRE I/O....

The analoge connection is working properly !!!


Regards,
Amr Toukhy

I don't know the DVstorm card but the first place I would start is there.

Check their website for any troubleshooting hints, check for updates to their software, check your cable.

Just so I know I got this right: did you bring a new camera into the same set up and try it out with the exact same set-up?

Did you use the same cable for the new camera? did you try the XL1 right before the other camera? Was the other camera a Canon camera?

I would try everything in that range first. Check the card's software.

Then I'd try shutting down your computer. Plugging in the camera, making sure the camera is on and then starting up the computer.

It might not be seeing the camera if you are hot swaping it.

After trying all of this and whatever the card manufacturer suggests then you can try a camera re-set, it's fairly easy:

take out the battery (or the AC adapter) and then in the underside of the hand grip you'll see this compartment you are able to pull out that has a battery there. Leave it out for a minute just for kicks and then plug it back in. You SHOULD have to reset the time and other settings for the camera which should say it's reset.

I'm sure some of the others here might have an idea but start with the card and see if they've had any problems communicating with Canon cameras

I believe your firewire port on camera might have been shorted. Try DV to DV connection if the DV info on your camera is blinking then your port is fried. If you are only using to transfering video to computer I suggest getting a cheap minidv camera and use it's firewire port. It will also save wear and tear on your Xl1's head.

Lens Stability
 

Has anyone tried , used and liked any particular lens stabalizing setup for the Canon 100-400 with the 7.2x EF adapter ?

The quality is fantastic, except in any mild degree of wind there just is too much jiggle in the picture. This despite a good fluid head and a long lens plate.

The main use would be in nature and wildlife photography.

Thanks,

Tom

I have seen photographers drape small sandbags over the lens to add mass and dampen vibrations.

There are Canon IS long lenses, btw. But, of course, they're quite pricey.

IS does not work or at least not effectively on a tripod. IS really is for significant up and down or side to side motion in hand holding the lens. I have seen references to modified matte box / bar supports but no first hand user reports as to their effectiveness.

The 100-400 does have 2 types of IS modes but this does not stop the jiggle in attempting to get nesting birds at a distance.

XL1... or something else?
 

I'm looking for a camera in the $5-6K range, and I'd really love anyone's suggestions. I really like the JVC GY-DV5000, but I know that the Xl1 is a great camera. Any ideas or suggestions would be very appreciated.

What is your prediction for the XL2?
 

I read the XL2 warning on this thread, so we wont be asking any questions, just imagination.

The XL1s is a great camera but I didn't buy it because I wanted the 24p feature with the DVX. But come to find out that I'm not happy with the 60i quality with panasonic, the XL1S beats it. So if canon does make a new one I will probably do my wedding stuff with it.

Anyway, here are my predictions.

1.) it will probably be called somthing else besides the xl2.
2.) There will probably be somthing "diffrent" about it as what all companies like to do. So my guess it will eiter be 24p, HD, 1000 lines resolution or a combintion of these.
3.) Flipout LCD might happen, but might not as it's very difficult to see an LCD screen in daylight, even with a hood.
4.)Exchanagble lens will be the same.
5.) Canon will not make the XL2 at all and get out of the pro market.


What's yours?

Mark,
We have a very long, and long-standing, thread on this very subject HERE. Please join that discussion.

XL-1 Open architecture
 

I would like to interview filmMakers, dP'S, directors, gaffers for a short promo I'm producing on the XL-1. I want to speak to people who have crested interesting projects with the camera and who choose the XL-1 over the competition. Any ideas who to speak to?

I've moved your thread to the general DV forum since you are
looking at different camera's.

The question has been asked a lot of times already so please
take a look around the Open DV discussion forum (see link above)
or do a search in that forum.

The best tip anyone can give you (in my opinion) is to make a list
of which things are a must on a camera and which are nice to
have's. Then you can weigh each camera to your list (including
budget) and make an informed decision by researching the
camera's YOURSELF.

Basically no-one else can do this for you for these reasons:

1) it totally depends on what you want to do with the camera (fiction, ENG, documentary, wedding etc.)

2) it totally depends on which things you find important in a camera (and perhaps accesoires you can get for that camera)

etc. etc. we may be able to guide you, but in the end you have
to make the decision. The more you submerge yourself into all
the details the better you can make a decision for your particular
case and needs.

Good luck.

Another thing that might possibly help your decision would be to go to your closest video store/rental location and play around with them, that seems to help people's decisions along.

Best set up for wide shots, XL1
 

What would be the best lens setup for shooting exterior, wide shots, in day light situations, mostly in the woods?

Also, what type of images should I expect with the www.xl1solutions adapter with an Angenieux 12-120 lens?

The XL1 will be mounted on a tripod for 99% of the shots. We want to keep all the action happening in front the camera without panning, medium shots, cutting in for close ups, or anything like that. It's a very moody piece, with hardly any dialogue. We are counting on the images to elavate the story for the audience.

Thanks in advance.

Wacky focusing. Need help on this one.
 

Hi,
I am having focusing issues with my XL1s.
So i want to know if its a common thing or are my lenses and camera defective.

When shooting in full manual mode outside, i have the ND filter on and focus on Auto. I experience bad focusing during zoom outs. During slow zooms and fast zooms. The camera doesn't seem to hold the focus.

Whats the problem here?