read many other posts as well. seems like this is a common problem. but i got my camera in Dec of 2002.
What do you think it would cost me to get this fixed? and where do i go.... cause i'm in Canada?

You might check the Canon website. Some time ago Canon had a web video showing a production company using XL-1 to produce a commercial for Canon.

Tons of posts on this. Try Helpful Articles: In and Around the XL1 & XL1S.

I generally stay away from auto focus since it tends to cause more problems than it solves.

Read the articles, and do a search on "soft focus" and see if that starts to answer yor questions. It will certainly help you to ask more precise questions and help you get the info you need.

See the page "case studies and testimonials" on the Canon DV site.

Cinetactics for Xl1s? What do you think?
 

Hi,

I found on the page Cinetactics some Accessories for Canons XL1s.

I was wondering if anybody has used or has any experience with there Products?
As I understand there Filter-holders work, you slide in the Filters (glass) in to one Holder. Is good or health for the Filters? Also the Price looks very realistic.

If anybody can give me some personal experience with this Product, will be very helpful for me.

Thanks


Shaggy

we were talking about their MatteBlox product in this thread:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=26365

Fish Eye Lens suggestions?
 

I am relatively new to the realm of DV production but I do know what I want my end product to look like.

I've been reading posts here about fish eye lenses and distortion, and I want to find out which one would have the cleanest look for say, a music video.

I am using an XL1 right now and just want to find the best for the buck that I can find, hopefully one of you experts here can at least point me in the right direction!

thanks!

Rob...unfortunately I don't think anyone here has used one on their XL1. We had a discussion about this recently, but no one jumped in with a specific recommendation or experience.

I am thinking about getting the Century Optics fisheye adapter.

bummer... I'm trying to "cheat" the look of my videos as much as possible without spending major bucks and that lens was one of my options... thanks though

Audio prob
 

Legal videographer. Using the MA 100 adapter & a shure 367 mixer - xlr mic out into the MA 100 - taping in SP with know problems. Taping in LP get audio drop outs. Audio set to 16 bit.

Would prefer to tapein LP. Any ideas appreciated.

Thanks,
Karen

Headphone Jack problem
 

Hi guys. I am in the middle of shooting my feature film and after one of the first shoots, I found out that the headphone jack on my Xl-1s had become damaged. It is bent to the left and pulled out a little. I don't know who did it...and no one seems to know either. The predicament, is that my boom operator cannot hear out of his headphones if the camera gets jostled or moved. It is a real pain and a problem. I just cannot afford to go more than a day or two without my camera for shooting, or the shooting schedule will be screwed. Any suggestions?

...other than switching xl bodies with a friend...because that's not an option.

Yes, do it like film teams do it. Record the sound on something
else. I don't know which would be best in such cases but you
can easily get portable DAT or Minidisc recorders etc. Your audio
guy should know what to get and might have extra gear lying
around to connect everything together.

This will put you in the position to make sure audio is rolling as
well as video and you'll need to sync the two up in post. So yes,
it is pretty "inconvenient". But, it does help you around the
problem of the bad port.

An other solution might be to hook up a second small camera
as a slave camera through firewire (this only works with the XL1S
I believe). This camera then records the signal as well and
monitoring can be done on that.

My Battery Pack to Wall Cord...
 

...has been misplaced. I checked the last place I worked with the cord, and my case. No other concievable place it would be. I need to replace it.

Having called a few camera stores, it seems that Canon would consider the part of the power cord (it goes from the pack to the camera too, remember - two-part cord) is considered just that, a 'part,' and I'd be unable to get one through basically anyone but Canon.

Anyone have any suggestions or places to call? eBay, my old best friend (aside from the time I tried to PURCHASE my XL through eBay, which is a long, heartfelt story involving plenty of voodoo), didn't pull through for me.

Even if I WERE to call Canon, I don't know how I'd describe the cord anyway. Gah. I have like three hours in various batteries left, then I'm dead till I get the cord.

Thanks in advance,

Teague

Call Canon parts at 1-800-OKCanon and follow the prompts. I recently ordered a really small part and they were very helpful on the phone. It was rather inexpensive for the part as well although it is backordered for several weeks. Give it a try.

L glass on XL1 ?
 

I have a 24-70 and 70-200 IS lens. I am considering getting a XL1. Is it ok to use these lens with the XL1 or are there lens which would work better?

Thanks

Bob

Keep in mind that they will be telephoto, with an effective field of view that corresponds to a lens with 7.2x their focal length on a 35mm still camera.

Dilema...don't want CVF...want accessory shoe
 

Hola XL1ers.

Long time reader...first time poster.

I've looked high and low for a solution to this problem, but have come up empty.

I use an LCD monitor and a Sennheiser shotgun mic with my XL1s.

Hence, I have no need for the CVF and Canon mic.

I would, however, like an accessory shoe.

Does anyone know of a way...say for instance, a device which attaches to the viewfinder bracket...to obtain the use of an accessory show without using the CVF?

Actually...I do already know one way...but it doesn't work for me at all. Sima (and various other companies) make L- brackets with shoes which attach via the tripod socket.

But not only do I find these to be extremely unstable...I am constantly taking my camera from a tripod to a stabilizer to my shoulder...and it just doesn't work with that bracket in the way.

So the ammended question - does anyone know ANOTHER way to obtain the use of an accessory shoe?

gracias.

Not so Wide Angle
 

I just purchased and received a Digital Optics Wide Angle converter 0.5x with 72MM thread:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3823238241

Attached it to the standard 16x IS II Canon lens (had to remove the hood)... instead of a much wider image, I was disappointed to see that I had almost the exact same field of view! I was under the impression that I would get almost double the view. I'm probably getting about 5-10% more. Was I expecting too much from this lens? Am I doing something wrong? Something wrong with my lens?

Thanks,
Chris

Cold feet & Hotshoes
 

On the XL1s I want to mount 3 items on the hotshoe, 6" LCD Monitor, Sennheisser Mic and the Quickstream HDD capture unit, but alas 3 wont go into 1, does anyone know anywhere where you can purchase an extending hotshoe bar/bracket to mount said 3 items across the top?

Jed "Hotshoe challenged" Stone

There is nothing wrong with your stock lens. These aftermarket, thread on, non zoom through w/a lens add ons seem to come in several variations. Apparently to get the best results from an accessory like this, the price is around 600 bucks. Century?

The description indicates that this is also a macro lens. The 14x manual lens has a macro button that allows the user to touch the subject with the glass and still hold focus. Not cheap, but very pro.

Anyway, the most important accessory I have is the 3x w/a Canon made lens. Yes it is a teeny bit soft on the focus, but when properly lit, the result is perfect.
Non inexpensive, but the image is incredible.

We just recently had an identical thread on the subject. Search on "antler" for the answer.

FWIW, SIMA offers a low cost handle that attaches to the tripod screw on the bottom, provides tow cold shoe that will be to the left of the body. Sells for around $10.

Sounds like a good bit of weight being addd to the camcorder. Can the the Quickstream be mountd on your belt, or the MA-100/200 as an alternative? Beleive Bogen offers some assorted mounts that can be used to hang thing soff a tripod.

I built my own wideangle adapter for about $180. (canabalized a $150 lens.. + $30 filter)..

works great.

(the focus is a bit soft here, and images are pixelated, but you get the point). slight fisheye effect, but i like that.. we shoot action videos, so it's useful. zoom's through to about 5x before it loses focus. EDIT- the distortion on the top image (top right and left corners) is actually the lens seeing the LENS HOOD.. removal of the lens hood fixes this, however since it overscans on TV anyway, i don't bother with hood removal.

http://www.adamgeek.com/wide2.jpg

just bought the 3x though, and using that now, so the adapter i made is on backup duty sitting on a shelf heh.

ME66 setup questions
 

So I'm about to replace the standard mic on my xl1s for a shotgun.

I'm going to buy:

ME66 capsule
K6 power module
Lightwave Equalizer for ME66
Lightwave Isolator
Lightwave Minimount

The mic will be mounted on the camera, and my question is, will the ME66 (and Equalizer around it) protrude into frame when shooting the wide end of the standard 16x Canon lens?

Also, does anyone have any advice about how the Equalizer compares to the Miniscreen? Is the Miniscreen worth the extra money? What are the pros and cons?

Thanks,
James

RF and boom mic recommendation sought
 

My son, now 16.5, is finally taking film making seriously. He and a friend are actually shooting their second video. Last summer was their first but his time around not only do they have a script, they are listening to me when I “suggest” they shoot everything in manual mode or use headsets to monitor sound.

This morning I got a real jolt when my wife - my wife! - called me at the office to tell me our son needs a boom mic. My wife!

Okay, so we need to shop for a collapsible boom pole and look for a decent mic holder and boom mic (one I could use myself in a pinch :-)) - they also need one RF lav. I have a pair of real cheapies I used once when I produced a compilation where I had to mail people a TRV900 and a mic to shoot their stories. But now I'm looking for something better.

We have lots of equipment at work but it's all a bit too high-end to lend out to two teens shooting without a crew or police guards in Central Park, NYC.

I'm open to any suggestions. Cost is not a huge problem although we are not looking for a $200 wired fish pole.

Thanks.

Or to put another way...
 

Forget my son's film needs. What is a good audio package for an XL-1s or a TRV 900? We use top notch equipment all the time - but this is a personal purchase for personal use. Any recomendations will be most welcomed. It seems all my audio techs are on vacation; those that aren't, can't come up with anything under $5k.

Senn 100 going out
 

Last month I was shooting a wedding with the XL-1s and had the Senn EW100 lav system clipped to the minister. Then, in the middle of the ceremony, it went out. Used the same mic later at the reception for interviews--- no problem. Used the same mic again during a short film--- no problem. Used the same mic on another day of shooting, it goes out. Any thoughts? Has anyone experienced this? If so, any remedies would be appreciated, since I have another wedding this weekend.

I'm not positive that it won't protrude into frame but I think if you're going to go camera mounted maybe you'd want the ME64?

Microphone Setup Help!
 

I am in a situation where my standard XL1s camera mounted microphone has become insufficient to my needs.

I have found the onboard microphone to be very useful and of good quality, but I require a boom pole mounted microphone for my future work (mainly documentaries).

I am seeking advice about what would be the best microphone, boom poles, shock mounts etc to purchase.

I need a microphone which I can mount on a boom pole and connect to my Canon XL1s through the MA-200, without the use of Phantom Power etc.

I have done a little research and have come across the Sennheiser ME66 with the K6 Power module. Would this be sufficient to mount on a boom pole and capture good quality sound on my XL1s?

I am looking for someone to advise me as to whether or not this is sufficient, and where I can find reasonably priced Boom Poles, Shock mounts, and Microphones etc.

Thank You

Check out the AT897 too. Check previous threads ME66 vs AT897.

XL1s vs. XL1 light sensitivity
 

I had the opportunity to shoot with both rigs, side by side, on a shoot this week. I noticed that the XL1s was about one stop faster than the older XL1. All the settings, such as gain, were the same.

The XL1 had the 3x lens while the XL1s had the 16x lens. I would shoot at a f2 with the XL1 while the XL1s was at 2.8 in the same lighting and approxiamate shot.

Has anyone else noticed this difference??

Batteries and charger questions
 

I have a few CA 900 battery chargers that work well except for one on which the red light shines on continuously. I have avoided using that one and have not had a moment to diagnose as to why it does not blink or go off. It is even on when no battery is engaged. Any ideas why it does that?

On another topic...anyone know where to buy the battery covers for the BP-945's and such?

One last question...does anyone make a charging system that charges several of these batteries at once? I do have a CH 910 which is great. But I'm looking for a single unit that may charge several batteries at once without all the multiple plugs and wires that constantly get in the way at my battery charging area.

Thanks for any help.

Jim,
I certainly would not trust that red-eye charger. It's impossible to assess what it's problem is. They're fundamentally just a circuit board mounted in a plastic mounting enclosure. Perhaps it met with a bad bang that caused some sort of short. Don't jeopardize your batteries with it.

Canon is the only battery supplier I know of that provides these terminal covers. Neither of the other two popular manufacturers, Lenmar and Power 2000, provide them. I don't really worry about this with my batteries. Just make sure that the batteries are stashed in a spot free from potential short hazards.

I don't know of a charger for these batteries that handles more than two at a time. I use the CH-910 for handling doubles.

Canon XL1 FLASH
 

I bought a Speedlite 420ex and a FA-200 adapter but the flash does not show up in the viewfinder and does not activate in photo mode.
Is the XL1 limited to only the 380 Speedlite?
Thanks

I believe the XL1 may be limited to the 380EX Speedlite only. Call Canon tech support at 1-800-OK-CANON to confirm. In my opinion you should consider upgrading your cam to at least the XL1S.

Thanks, I'll check that out!

Canon XL1 FLASH
 

Thanks Chris,
I've tried the Canon Website several times with no luck getting any useful info. So the info # I'll try.
Yes the XL-1S would be nice. And I will have to upgrade as a great deal of tape has gone thru my XL-1.
But the funds have not appeared yet.
What is it they say, "You have to have money to make money."
Weddings are supplementing my income and so I want to constantly be looking to improve the product, thus the speedlite. I could not find any 380 Speedlite's so went with the next level up including having to buy the FA-200 because the FA-100 adapter would not work with 420EX speedlite. But being neither adapter work I am wondering if the XL-1 or new 420EX are the problem. Or perhaps FA adapters? So many questions so little time.
Great forum
Thanks Tim

Tape "Eject" message
 

During the video shot, Message "EJECT" on the screen flashing...then i turn "OFF" XL1s and eject the tape, after few minutes insert tape again, guess what... Its Working fine..
Does anyone experience this before...

Good by
 

I know I haven't been posting here for some time. Part of that was since I retired in Oct last year I've been busy going places and doing things that I had planned on doing in retirement. I've been to the bottom of the Grand Canyon (Diamond Creek) up to Valley of the Gods in Ut and Death Valley. All these places and more I've carried and used my XL1s as well as a digital still camera. I've taken hours of video and had plenty of fun doing the shooting as well as producing it onto dvd on my iMac. I found myself taking more and more still shots and less and less video. It came to the point that the xl1s was left behind more and more. With this said I have made a deal with a store in New York to but my meger equipment in order to upgrade my still camera to a Connon EOS 1Ds. I have learned so much from everyone here both during my lurking days and moreso after I became an official member. This is by far the best forum to learn and share digital video thoughts and processes. In working up my deal I kept hearing that the XL1s was being phased out very soon so it's replacement. I mention that for what it's worth. Agin so long and best of luck to all. Yes I am having a ball being retired!