The accessory you cannot live without...
 

I am putting together my XL1S system and order this week and was wondering what you guys feel has been your best accessory for the camera.

For example - wireless mics, shot-guns, lighting, camera lite, battery system, tripod/tripod head, whatever.

I have questions about all these things and thought I would bouncing it off the list before making a mistake.

I need your help...

From a forthcoming Watchdog article which I've been promising for some time now... the Number One XL1 accessory: a lens controller. I prefer VariZoom (www.varizoom.com) but there's also the Canon ZR-1000 and others. Lens Controllers mounted on your tripod pan handle will change the way you shoot, guaranteed. I'm trying to figure out how to permanently weld mine to my tripod.

Does anyone know whether or not the black and white viewfinder is cross-compatible between the PAL and NTSC version XL1s? Or do you need to get the black and white viewfinder that is specific for the PAL?

Chris, Just how good is the VariZoom? How controllable is the speed of the zoom?

Randall,

I bought my Varizoom controller based on Chris's advice and am damn glad I did. Like he says, it does "change the way you shoot."

It has 8 zoom speeds...plus, if you get the Pro-LX version, you have control over other features, including wakeup. I use it with the Varizoom shoulder brace which I also recommend.

Randall -- see my articles on these VariZoom controllers: VZ Pro-LX, VZ Pro-L, VZ Stealth in the DVinfoNet Articles Menu at www.dvinfo.net and the XL1 Watchdog Articles Menu at www.dvinfo.net/xl1.htm -- everything I have to say about 'em is on those pages. Hope this helps,

If I may add my two cents worth, mind you Canadian to cents theses days is not worth much :), I to have purchased the Varizoom VZ-Pro-LX controller based on Chris's recommendations here. The major flaw I have found is in its lay out of the record button which is next to the zoom buttons and have a number of times hit the record button by mistake which put the camera in pause mode. Very frustrating I must say, The VZ-PG-L has a better layout from this point of view, but lacks the ability to turn of the text in an external monitor . The solution to this I think will be to place a piece of felt or cork around the record button to give it a different tactile feel. I also purchased an lcd monitor. I tried to purchase the Varizoom model but was unable to do so as they don’t seem to want to sell them in Canada, so I purchased a marshal brand which appears to be identical. My new Xl1s arrived this week and am looking forward to trying it out at our next shoots, I will probably order the NEB50XL monitor from Nebtec as it uses a canon battery for its power for the Xl1s (http://www.nebtek.com/5inch/NEB50Xl%20page.html)

I must be one of the few guys that actually likes the Canon zoom controller. It has several fixed zoom rates, plus an infinite mode. The Record button is easy to distinguish (i.e., not hit) in a dark theater, and I can switch on/off the text on an external LCD. It will also control the focus and the wakeup function. It's been a pretty good performer for my purposes.

Vic

What about filters
 

How about lens filters - are there any 'must have' filters for the XL1s?

UV filter. Protects the lens from scratches. A must-have.

Some accessories that I bought a week ago with my brand new XL1s:

MA-200 Shoulder attachment - It balances the camera very nicely on my shoulder, you have to get the CH-910 dual battery charger and mount two batteries on top to get the nice balanced feel.

CH-910 - Works as a spare battery charger as well as a power supply for the XL1s on road.

Canon 72mm UV filter - The construction of this filter is as strong as a tank. It metal ring is made of high quality strong metal and the lens does not create any color shifts unlike other UV filters I have. (Hoya, Tiffen).

Carry bag - For a cheap alternative, get the Lowepro Vidcam 6 bag. It will fit the XL1s without any accessories attached to it.

Tripod/Head - I use a Manfrotto 094 leg with the 501 Video head. I think the 501 head is the best value for money head you can buy from the Manfrotto range.

On board lights - I own a Unomat 300watt AC light, if you want battery powered, go for a Satchler Reporter 75 watt DC.

Tapes - I personally use Panasonic and never had a problem with them getting eaten in my Sony VX2000 (now my back up camera).

I am considering buying a Glidecam Pro 4000 with body brace from the US, our Aussie dollar isnt worth much either... at least the Canadian dollar is worth more against the US dollar!!! Anyone have any comments on this setup?

Hope my 2 cents worth helps :)

Cheers,

righto - but I had in mind the need for effects filters - say the promist - on other cameras I've read that it's needed to tone down sharpness - is that over-kill on the XL1s? (Keep in mind that I am buying an XL1s system sight unseen) ;-)

Ethan - why do you say the 501 is the best tripod head? Have you tried others? And yes, thank you for your (and all others) two cents!)

I've had both the Bogen 501 and 503 tripod heads, and I'll take the 503 any day. I sold the 501. The 503 has a longer, better telescoping pan handle, a tougher inner spring and feels smoother. Well worth the extra bucks. Of course, if I could afford it, I'd rather have an Aussie Miller above all else.

True... Nothing beats a Miller DS5 !!!

For the price I paid the 501 head does perform very well.. If you are a wedding videographer it will do you fine... unless you need it for production purposes... for the price/performance ratio it is probably the best buy for my applications...

Again.. i wouldnt mind a full blown steadycam..

Tripod heads
 

Regarading the 501 and 503 heads. The 503 has this f...ing spring in it that keeps returning the position to a neutral one. Can you imagine trying to follow a (wildlife) subject around when your tripod wants to return to neutral all the time!! I use to shoot with a Bogen 3063, but found there was too much lateral play in it, making it hard to accurately follow an erratically moving subject. The 501 has an adjustment for this, making it an excellent choice.

Bogen Tripod Q's @

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=773

I have a Miller DS10 for my XL1s and love it very much. I use the single stage tripod with above ground spreaders. I was using a crappy wal-mart tripod and was getting jobs shooting commercials and felt I should get a better tripod. I shot for the moon and bought the best I could afford and you just cannot beat a good tripod. Another accesory I bought that is a little pricy but gets outstanding results is the cinesaddle. It runs $300 and is just a canvas bag but you can mount it to a car. I mounted mine and ran the car at sixty MPH and the shot was very smooth. It is also great to throw on the ground and mount the camera very low when a tripod won't work.

Where do you find these Miller tripods - I looked but could not find a web-site...

Miller is made in Australia. Believe I've seen a few on the show floor here at VideoMaker Expo, will try to find their website for you tomorrow.

Will,

Do you have pictures and/or URL for this
"cinesaddle"? Sounds interesting! Did you
drive your XL1 with everything on it around?
(like viewfinder, microphone etc.?)

Thanks

Rob,

Try http://www.cinesaddle.com

;)

I had a the view finder, mic, and used a wide converter on the lens. I ran a video cable out the back of the camera inside the car and watched the feed over an LCD monitor. The shots were great. I also made some shots from the bed of a pickup shooting another car travelling down the highway. The tail gate was down and the cinesaddle was on the edge of the gate and my XL1 was on the saddle. I didn't use the tie-downs, I just layed on the floor of the bed and looked through the viewfinder. The thing about video/film is you can drive at 35 MPH or so and it doesn't look much slower than 55/60 MPH